Brookover's Overly upbeat analysis

Inqy Eagles beat writer Bob Brookover has taken it upon himself to blow sunshine up the wazoon of Eagles fans in the aftermath of Correl Buckhalter's season ending knee injury. Thanks, Bob.

Alas, the "analysis" is shortsighted and misses the larger point. Ultimately, the issue isn't the durability of Brian Westbrook--the Eagles remaining quality RB-- but of his effectiveness. Are we really to take comfort, as Brookover suggests, in the fact that Westbrook carried a large load at Division I-AA Villanova and only sustained one serious injury. And that somehow this experience equates to the pounding he will take over the course of a full NFL season as the Eagles feature back (and I say that as a proud Andy Talley-fan, Villanova alum.)

The issue isn't if Westbrook will get hurt, but the accumulation of the hits taken from his "touches" that could impede the quickness that is his most important quality. Westbrook is a compact 5'9" 200 lbs. He is solid. But he is not a grinder. He is more in the mold of a David Meggett. A scatback. A dangerous triple threat weapon. He simply is not a between the tackles battering ram (although, who knows, maybe he steps up and proves he's more Emmitt Smith than D. Meggett.)

Eagle fans should take little comfort in Brookover's argument that Westrbrook can handle a heavy load. The mych more salient question is whether the Eagles want him to carry such a heavy load.

And by the way. I would be very surprised if the Eagles stood pat in the RB department. You don't go out and sign TO and Jevon Kearse only to rely on Reno Mahe as your #2 back (no offense, Reno. You are a fine role player. But this team is built for a Super Bowl this year.)

I would be surprised if they signed Dorsey Levens, whose name has been in the paper this weekend. Levens has some size, but his last go round with the Eagles indicated that he had less in the tank than Eddie George.

With $7 million cap room, the Eagles have plenty of money to make a move for a quality player. Even figuring they spend alot of that to extend Corey Simon alot of that cash will be use it or lose it.