Brian Westbrook - essential or interchangeable part?

After seeing Philadelphia eek out their win over Oakland, I can give credit to quite a few Eagles. But Brian Westbrook's multi-dimensional game stands out. While naysayers say he's not worth a new contract, let's look at the reasons why not, and why:

Why not:
He gets hurt a lot.
No, he gets hurt sometimes. Other times, the coaching staff has held him out of games. I really don't know if he can play a whole season.

He's not as talented as LDT or the great power backs in the league.
Oh? Based on what measurement?

He doesn't have as many yards or rushing TDs.
That's because the Eagles' offense is designed around the run, like San Diego's offense is, for example. On Sunday, Drew Brees threw 22 passes. Donovan McNabb threw 52. You can't compare LDT and Westbrook if they get vastly unequal carries per game.

In Sports Illustrated's pro football issue, an opposing scout said TO is far more important to Philly than Westbrook. If Westbrook goes down, Ryan Moats can step in and do well. If TO is out, who's going to pick up the slack?
Hm. TO is vital to the offense, no doubt. McNabb's 2004 stats are testament to that fact. But keep this in mind: NFC Championship vs. Panthers: average receivers, no Westbrook, loss. NFC Championship vs. Falcons: average receivers, Westbrook, win.

But they needed TO to get homefield advantage.
And how is that any different from the year before, or the year before that? Bzzzz. Time's up.

And now for the reasons why Westbrook should get some more dough:

He's a multi-dimensional player who flourishes in the West Coast offense.

Many teams in the NFL use the West Coast offense.

If they let him go, they will regret it.

He makes #5 better.

He makes the receivers better.

Have a nice day.

Hammie

David Akers gutted out Sunday's game against Oakland, hitting the game-winning field goal. Akers will likely miss the Kansas City game with a pulled right hamstring.

MNF flashbacks, Bronco-style

The Rocky Mountain News takes a trip down memory lane and looks at Monday Night Football, as it starts its last season on ABC. Are you ready for some football?

Data Mining Goes Too Far

I read this article on New Orleans by Rick Telander of the Chicago Sun-Times, followed on the page by these Ads by Google:

Saints (a ticket site for games at the Alamodome)

Permanent Odor Control

Water Filtration

Mold and Mildew Cleaner

Eliminate Vaginal Odor

That pretty much covers everything, doesn't it?

Roaming Saints

Word has it that the Saints will play four games in San Antonio's Alamodome and three in LSU's stadium, following their "home" opener at Giant Stadium in two weeks. Some drawbacks to the LSU plan: the campus is still being used as a staging area for medical teams and their patients, while Baton Rouge hotels are getting full with refugees. Somehow I don't think they're going to kick out 250-300 people just so visiting teams can get rooms. Unlike Florida, for example, where state law requires hotels to honor confirmed reservations.

New Orleans

Our prayers are with you, New Orleans

Deion hits a home run

Deion Sanders of the Baltimore Ravens has challenged every pro athlete to contribute $1,000 to Katrina relief efforts. Sanders can be a jackass sometimes. But this is putting his money where his mouth is.