A Booker

Why is the Philadelphia media discounting the acquisition of Lorenzo Booker? He would appear to be a solid complement to Brian Westbrook, a running back with pro experience that the Eagles got for the cost of one fourth round pick.

 

Seriously, in any true evaluation of the Eagles’ 2008 draft, both immediately and four years hence, you have to include Booker’s performance in the analysis.

 

And what I’m seeing is encouraging. While he technically “played” in two games midway through the season (vs. Buffalo and, ironically, the Eagles) it wasn’t till the last five games of Miami’s miserable season that he actually carried the ball. Based on those five games, Booker averaged 4.5 yards/carry. More impressively, in those same five games he caught 28 passes (coincidentally, the same number of carries he had) for an average of 5.6 receptions/game…for a situational player on a lousy team!

 

For comparison purposes, the great Brian Westbrook averaged 4.8 yards/carry and 6 receptions/game in 2007. Yes, B. Westbrook played in ten more games than Booker but #36 also played on a much better team than the lowly Dolphins. And at 5’ 10”, 191 lbs, Booker is the same height (if you believe both players’ figures) and only ten lbs. lighter than Westbrook.

 

Perhaps most importantly, having gotten his first NFL year under his belt, Booker can be expected to contribute more this year than a rookie getting acclimated to the league.

 

All in all, a very good pickup. A pity the Eagles aren’t getting more credit it for it.