By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

There are numerous free agent names that would have been considered marquee free agents just a few seasons ago. The game has shifted quickly for these athletes and landing a job isn’t a guarantee for them. For Brian Westbrook the question of returning to the game as his best interest is priority number one. It seems as if he is willing to take that risk after sustaining multiple concussions last year that put serious doubts in a likelihood of a return.

Before the concussions Westbrook was already showing signs of slowing down. He was not as much of a strong hold in the Eagles offense as in 2004-2007. Getting out in the open field as a running back or pass catching back was his main staple, and the Eagles used it to flourish for years. McNabb never truly had a go to option at wide receiver but Westbrook was able to fill that void. As McNabb declined in quarterback scrambles and settled as a pocket passer the dumps to Westbrook were sort of safety plays for McNabb to avoid scrambling.

The rise of Westbrook’s career and rapid decline happened due to nagging knee, ankle, and leg injuries. It seemed he would have some sort of injury each and every year but upon his return it was as if nothing happened. At one time he was not practicing on a weekly basis but mustering enough out of his body to play on Sundays. That was an attest to Westbrook’s endurance and threshold for pain. Questioning his work ethic has never been a matter.

When the Eagles cut ties with Westbrook suitors have been few if any. St. Louis has been one team that has but everyone knows that team is a nightmare franchise currently. He’d definitely be just a third down back and would have to totally rebuild with a losing franchise. From an athlete that has been near a Super Bowl victory and countless NFC championship appearances waiting out for another option seemed best.

Suddenly the linking with his old quarterback Donovan McNabb could be a possibility. The Redskins plan on engaging in conversations with the possibility of signing Westbrook. Looking at the Redskins backfield the names seem great but “OLD”. You’d have Willie Parker, Larry Johnson, Brian Westbrook, and the Redskins prime back all these years in Clinton Portis. No youth at all and plenty of miles on each back. Sounds like another Dan Snyder just sign him because of his name type of move.

All of these backs together would likely not happen. Larry Johnson is being given a chance to show he has something left. Based on the way he has played the past few seasons, Washington might give him his walking papers even before training camp starts. Parker and Westbrook together is very interesting, and the pairing would be strange. If Westbrook comes in and shows he has overcome injury woes and concussion worries we’d expect him to be behind Portis on the depth chart. That and for the simple fact that he already has great chemistry with quarterback Donovan McNabb.

The backfield in Washington looks so crammed that value for a straight up fantasy value running back is ugly. Reasoning beyond a touchdown value back is not going to be found here. Maybe spend a late round pick in case of injuries mounting up, but that’s it. Drafting any of these backs looks like a crowded college backfield that a coach just doesn’t know what do with it. An area that looks hopeful that plagued McNabb and was one of Westbrook’s flaws is short yardage situations. Johnson and Portis can get that third and one, or other short plunges to keep the chains moving.

With the NFL seemingly getting younger at the running back position, Washington is on the other side of the trend. Johnson and Westbrook are 31, Parker 29, and Portis somehow only 27 but going on 36 in NFL running back years. Don’t forget the guy that’s behind the helm in Mike Shanahan. The names may be there now, but Shanahan has went wild before with a no name low round pick or free agent pickup to garner carries.