BOOKER MIRRORS WESTBROOK
Philadelphia Eagles running back Lorenzo Booker saw quite a few reps in the spring workouts, and he's mirroring Brian Westbrook - lining up as a lone setback, tailing a fullback or running routes from the slot. The idea seems to be allowing Westbrook to get a little extra rest while not drastically changing the gameplan for head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. "We're just trying to get more speed on the field." Westbrook said. "Lorenzo brings a big-play capability as well to the field. He's very fast, very shifty, has very good hands. We're just trying to put more playmakers on the field at the same time."
Mandel's Take: Basically, the Eagles are tired of Correll Buckhalter's inconsistency and are doing something about it. Booker is an underrated back and was a tremendous addition to the Eagles backfield...much as it pains me as a Giants fan to say that. This will be an upgrade.
Mancini's Take: The Eagles are flipping the script from using big inside runners as their change-of-pace backs (i.e. Correll Buckhalter and Tony Hunt) to having a Westbrook clone be the man who gives the star back a blow every now and then. Booker's outstanding talent will allow Philly to be less dependent on Westbrook and allow number 36 to save himself for his team's late-season playoff run in an extremely competitive division.
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