Is it football season already?! Less than a month after The New Orleans Saints pulled off the impossible in lifting the Lombardi, both LaDanian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook are looking for new homes. Both have lead amazing careers in the NFL. Both have tasted playoff victories, with Westbrook going to the Super Bowl with the Eagles. One more thing in common? They both have had injuries that have kept them off the field. A team that is struggling right now is considering this a miracle. Is it the answer a team like the Lions or Redskins are looking for? Or are both number 21 and 36 a little too late to be a threat?

As you have seen in my previous football columns, I am an avid Eagles fan. I was one of the many here that loved and embraced Westbrook. When he was drafted in 2002, who would have guessed the 91st overall pick in the 3rd round would go down as one of the 3 best running backs in Eagles history. Yes, we knew what he was capable of, and his stats do not lie, but one thing that haunts him is he hasn’t played a full season. Yes, he has had 5,995 rushing yards, and 3,790 receiving yards in his career, but as stated, he has done this in only 15 games most a season. This past year was understandable, with receiving 2 concussions he only played 8 games. Westbrook is made for the mold of his position. The burst of someone 5′8”, at 200 pounds is incredible. He can drive the ball into the end zone, no doubt. I feel as if he has more miles in the tank. He can be a huge help to a team like the Browns, or the Raiders, if he stays healthy. Many will miss him, some may not. When another team picks him up, and he comes back to The Linc, the Eagles D better be ready to stop him, as long as injury doesn’t plague him elsewhere.

The name L.T, like Westbrook, has sent shivers down many opposing defensive lines over the past 9 years. Ladanian Tomlinson was drafted in the 2001 draft, 5th overall. He has played in all 16 games in his career, except 2 this past year. He has 12,490 rushing, and 3,955 receiving yards in his career in San Diego. In the latter years, he has shared some ball time with Darren Sproles, but still managed to add more to his legacy. Tomlinson has an incredible slew of awards backing him, such as MVP, Walter Peyton Man of the Year, not to mention he has been to the Pro Bowl five times, compared to Westbrook’s two. He has been an All Pro three times, again more than Westbrook’s one. Altogether, Ladanian Tomlinson is better on paper than Brian Westbrook. I feel his only downfall is the fact he has played in every game, and his age will catch up to him sooner rather than later. To do what this 5′11”, 221 pound man has, and is doing, is only sealing the deal more for a sure pick into the prestigious NFL Hall Of Fame. Call me crazy, (like many did when I wrote about what if Michael Vick were to become an Eagle) but do not be surprised to see a team such as Baltimore, Atlanta, or Pittsburgh to take this super charger, and turn him into a champion.

In the end, 2 teams, or maybe even one, are going to be getting two proven running backs. Will all the hype of years past prove worth it in the years ahead? Will Tomlinson finally get that Lombardi trophy, and the honor of wearing a Super Bowl ring? Can Brian Westbrook stay healthy for a couple more seasons, and be as dominant as ever? There are a lot of questions surrounding these two, so my main question I ask is: Who is going to step up, and make the most out of the cards they were handed? Someone is going to float, and someone is going to sink.

Josh Usher has been a fan of sports and sports entertainment for over 20 years.

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Over the course of the last eight years, there has been one constant on the Philadelphia Eagles. Philadelphia Eagles fans were guaranteed exciting plays and moments from #36, Brian Westbrook. Whether it was breaking a long run for a TD, a spectacular kick return, or turning a negative screen pass into a doubled-digit touchdown, Brian Westbrook never disappointed. Here is a look back at five memorable moments in the great career of Brian Westbrook on the Philadelphia Eagles.

Oct. 19, 2003 - The Philadelphia Eagles vs. the New York Giants. One of the most memorable plays in all of Philadelphia sports history came on this day. With less than two minutes to go, the Eagles trailed the Giants 10-7 on the road. Brian Westbrook received a Jeff Feagles punt on the Eagles 16-yard line. Westbrook turned a routine punt into a dazzling 84-yard punt return giving the Eagles a 14-10, sealing a huge division win. This singular moment is credited with turning a disappointing start into a run that took them all of the way to the NFC championship game.

Nov 10, 2007 - The Philadelphia Eagles vs. the Washington Redskins. This was yet another tough divisional game on the road for the birds in mid-season. The Eagles trailed the Redskins 20-25 late in the fourth quarter. Once again, Brian Westbrook put the team on his shoulders and turned the game around. Westbrook took a screen pass which he caught behind the line of scrimmage 57 yards for a touchdown. The score sealed the deal for the birds and once again, is credited from turning a disappointing season into another playoff run.

Jan. 4, 2009 - The Philadelphia Eagles vs. the Minnesota Vikings. This was clutch football at its finest courtesy of B’West. On the road in the Wild Card round of the NFL playoffs, the Eagles were leading a tight one against the Vikings. Going into the fourth quarter it looked like the momentum was swinging towards the Vikings until Westbrook once again sealed the deal. Westbrook took a simple screen pass from Donovan McNabb 71 yards to pay dirt and put the game away with a 26-14 lead.

Dec. 16, 2007 - The Philadelphia Eagles vs. the Dallas Cowboys. While most NFL players are remembered for scoring touchdowns, this moment is remembered for the touchdown that wasn’t scored. The Eagles were underdogs and holding onto a 10-6 lead in the fourth quarter. The birds had the ball with 2:19 to go and the Cowboys had no timeouts. From the Dallas 25, Westbrook broke through a wall and sprinted all of the way down the field towards the end zone when he stopped on the 1-yard line and took a knee. Fantasy football owners are still in frenzied over the play! Instead of going into score and giving the Cowboys the ball back, Westbrook took the knee and allowed the Eagles to smartly run out the clock and steal a win.

Dec. 07, 2008 - The Philadelphia Eagles vs. the New York Giants. Anyone see a theme here? Here we go again, five years later. This was one of the biggest days in Brian Westbrook’s Eagle career. Westbrook once again put the team on his back and collected 203 yards of total offense on the day. Westbrook ran for 131 yards on a career-high 33 carries and scored two touchdowns. The game’s memorable moment came on the third play of the fourth quarter. On a 3rd and 11 from the Giants 40-yard line, Westbrook took a short pass from McNabb and blew past Antonio Pierce for a 40-yard touchdown. The image of Westbrook blowing past Pierce has turned into an iconic image in its own right.

For these moments and an exciting eight years, Brian Westbrook will go down as one of the most popular Philadelphia Eagles of our generation.

Thanks to the pressofatlanticcity.com with some help on the details.

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One fantasy football player’s nightmare could be your fantasy football dreams come true. If there is any bright spot to losing a fantasy football game, it is the fact that you will get top dibs on the waiver wire. This may be the best week of the season for players with running back needs to get a quick fix. Four starting running backs went down in NFL Week 10 which means that there are four potential starting running backs on the waiver wire this week. Let’s check out some quick fixes and long term solutions as we near the fantasy football playoffs.

Justin Forsett - Of all the running backs I will suggest this week, he may be your best long term option here. Forsett came into the game Sunday for Julius Jones and had over 100 yards and a touchdown against a very good rushing defense. Jones has a bruised lung and could be out longer than any of the other running backs who got hurt over the weekend. Forsett was a really good back in college and is the kind of small, fast running back that could give defenses fits the rest of the way. Don’t be scared of the Vikings rushing defense, Ray Rice had a very good game against them and Forsett is a lot like Rice. Not too mention, the Seahawks have games against the Rams, the Bucs, and the Titans down the stretch who all give up big points to running backs. Jim Mora loves to run the ball and Forsett could really thrive in his West Coast offense in both the running and passing game.

Ricky Williams - The only downside here is that while Ricky hasn’t technically been a starting running back, he is probably unavailable in your league. In the Wildcat offense, Ricky has thrived this season and is putting up better numbers than half of the starting tailbacks in the NFL. Ronnie Brown is hurt and likely out for this Thursday’s game. Williams is a very good one-week option, and quite honestly is one of the best flex players in fantasy football even with Brown in the lineup. The Panthers are a good running defense, but an even better passing defense. Pat White and Lex Hilliard will allow the Miami Dolphins to continue the Wildcat offense, with Williams getting the bulk of the carries. Grab him if you can, and keep him even if Brown comes back in the near future.

Jason Snelling - The verdict is still out on Michael Turner’s injury, but it doesn’t look good. Turner’s primary backup Jerious Norwood is hurt also. The Falcons have a great schedule for running backs the rest of the way. Snelling got a touchdown Sunday against the Panthers, who once again have a terrific running defense. Keep in mind that while Turner is down, his offensive line isn’t going anywhere. The Falcons have a great line and Snelling will get his holes down the stretch. Turner’s injury didn’t look good and I would be shocked if he comes back anytime in the next three weeks. Having a starting back in this offense for Weeks 11, 12, and 13 in fantasy football could make the difference in whether you make the playoffs or not.

Leonard Weaver - Unfortunately, Weaver would probably be your worst option here. However, with Brian Westbrook’s future in serious doubt Weaver will get carries. I tend to lean more towards Weaverthe course of the season than LeSean McCoy, because Weaver is likely to get the goal line carries. At the same time, Andy Reid never runs and rarely ever wins in short yardage situations. Both of these guys are low recommendations, but if you need some improvement at running back Weaver could give you numbers throughout the season. In the end, I have a feeling that Weaver is in line for a big fantasy game.

Jake Delhomme - Lord strike me dead for recommending Delhomme, but I kind of like him if you need help at quarterback. I think the worst is over for Delhomme and he and Steve Smith actually look like they are starting to get in sync with each other. Quarterbacks can be really streaky and just when you think they are done, they can turn it around and run the table with great games. For starters, he has a great matchup against Miami on Thursday. The Dolphins give up a lot of points to quarterbacks and I don’t expect things to be any different on a short week. Should Delhomme remain hot, he has two great quarterback matchups in Weeks 15 and 16 which are your playoff and championship weeks. Look for Jake as a high recommendation this week in my NFL preview column.

Brandon Gibson - At wide receiver, Gibson is a good waiver wire add if you are desperate for some receiver depth. Gibson’s role is expected to increase due to Keenan Burton’s injury. Like Delhomme, Marc Bulger is on the verge of turning it around and getting hot. Gibson had 7 catches for 93 yards against one of the best passing defenses in the NFL on Sunday. Gibson has some tremendous fantasy matchups in the coming weeks against the Seahawks, Bears, Cardinals, and Titans. As a Philadelphia Eagles fan, I watched Gibson in the pre season and I liked him a lot. He made some really difficult catches and was just simply a casualty of numbers in Philadelphia. I look for big things from him in the future and they could come as soon as this Sunday against the Cardinals.

I won’t hit on everyone, but if you have followed this blog you have gotten some very productive fantasy players off of the waiver wire. Jamaal Charles, Vince Young, Ryan Moats, Shonn Greene, Mike Wallace, Vernon Davis, Sidney Rice, and Ladell Betts have all been suggested here and have all had some big weeks since then. I look at upcoming matchups, situations, coaching habits, and breakdown their fantasy opponents before I make a high or low recommendation. They all won’t hit every week (nobody will not named Peterson or Jones-Drew), but read closely what I am saying and when to play these guys. Take Jamaal Charles for example. I recommended him solely for the Raiders game and he hit as expected Sunday. So use this information wisely and get a step ahead of the players in your league with some diamonds in the ruff.

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After months of meticulous preparation, you felt great about your fantasy football draft. Week 1 was a bit of a letdown but you knew you had a great team. Now, it is the day after NFL Week 2 and you are beginning to panic. Do you start working a trade or do you stick with your players? Unfortunately for some of you fantasy football players, it is time to start working the phones.

I have fantasy football to be nearly the most impossible thing to judge. People will claim to be experts, but those same experts had running backs in the top 10 that haven’t even combined for 50 yards in two weeks. There is no accounting for a bust. Yet there is a big difference between a bust and a slow starter. Don’t be confused between the two or you will be kicking yourself when your “bust” is scoring 20 points for someone else in the playoffs.

At the same time, you do need to come to terms with the fact that some of these players are busts. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. The strategy behind trading if you are buying is to buy low, while you need to sell on potential if are looking to dump some talent. There is likely someone in your league that still believes in your top running back and will take a flier on him. Personally, I prefer to wait until Week 4 to make trades. Yet, there are some guys that are likely pushing you to the edge after fantasy Week 2.

Not to trade

Steve Slaton - Steve Slaton has turned into my personal nightmare. I took him with my first pick in a keeper league and he has produced like an undrafted waiver wire pickup. Even in the Tennessee Shoot Out, he only racked up 34 yards. What is even more frustrating is that you probably passed up on some great talent to draft him, or at least I did.

I still believe in Slaton. I read a stat recently that indicated most running backs drafted in the top 10 started slow last season. This guy is too good and too young to not come around. The worry here is that Slaton put on weight in the off season and he has lost some of his agility. That could be a real problem that may not be addressed until next season. He has two great matchups coming up and if he can’t get going against either Jacksonville or Oakland, it is time to start making trade plans.

Matt Cassel - Cassel hopefully wasn’t a very high pick for you. Yet, you drafted Cassel with the intentions of Cassel being your starter. Believe it or not, I still have faith in Cassel. Cassel missed Week 1 and had a terrible performance in Week 2. Remember, Kansas City dumped their offensive coordinator right before the season. So Cassel is still learning a new offense. I think they are going to start surprising some teams and by the end of the season, Cassel becomes a top 10 fantasy qb.

Tom Brady - Here is the problem with Tom Brady. Tom Brady put up good numbers in Week 1. He had the unfortunate luck of playing Rex Ryan last week who is turning into the fantasy qb killer. The problem is that you didn’t draft Brady to put up good numbers. You drafted him to put up Drew Brees fantasy football numbers. Brady was probably your keeper or your first pick in the draft. I was lukewarm on Brady this year and smiled anytime I saw someone take him high. I knew that Brady was going to come back and bite some players and it certainly wasn’t going to be me.

Tom Brady isn’t playing for the 2007 New England Patriots anymore. Brady will give you a show once or twice during the season, but that is it. Joey Galloway is done and Wes Welker is hurt. Brady will give you good numbers throughout the season but not what you expected out of your keeper or first pick. My advice is to hold on to him. He is someone you can count on for 15-20 points on non-Rex Ryan weeks and you aren’t going to find anyone else out there on the trading block that will do the same.

Trade him!

Tony Romo - Tony Romo may be the best fantasy trade bait in the history of the game. Romo puts up lights out numbers in the first few months and fizzles in the playoffs. For fantasy players, it is all about December. Romo isn’t going to have weeks like he did last week, nor like he did in the first. Romo will consistently be in the middle. But you know that when it counts, he won’t be there for you. My advice is the next time he has a Tampa Bay like game, trade him, beef up your weakest position, and laugh when he chokes it up in December.

Brian Westbrook - I wrote an article at the beginning of last season suggesting that the Philadelphia Eagles not re-sign or re-do Westbrook. Unfortunately as an Eagles fan I was right. Westbrook will give you a game here and there, but his injuries have caught up with him and he has lost his burst. He isn’t making people miss and there is already injury-talk in Week 3. Westbrook was a nice back because he gave you receiver and running back numbers. Those days are over, yet you may find a non-Eagles fan out there that hasn’t heard the news. He won’t be there for you in December and if he is, he will hurt you badly when you need him most.

Anquan Boldin - Boldin was probably the only #2 wide receiver to go in the top 10 of wide receivers in your draft. Boldin may play second fiddle in Arizona, but chances are he was drafted with your first wide receiver pick. Even in a blowout in Jacksonville, Boldin only caught the ball eight times for 69-yards and no touchdowns. Kurt Warner as predicted by me is not the same Kurt Warner this season as he was last season. Warner is throwing dinks and dunks and hasn’t looked for Boldin in the end zone. Boldin won’t be putting up anywhere near the kinds of numbers fantasy owners expected.

Boldin is bound to have a big game at some point. My advice would be to stick with him for another two weeks in hopes that he has it. Once he does, pull the trigger and don’t look back. The only disadvantage is that there is a big chance Boldin plays somewhere else as a starter next season. If you are playing a keeper league, he would be a top keeper as a starter next season. But it is only Week 2, and going into Week 3 everyone is still in it. It isn’t the time to mortgage your season in exchange for a great keeper for next year.

Early Week 3 Fantasy Football Thoughts -

The Baltimore defense has a tremendous matchup against Cleveland.
Tom Brady will not have an easy week and could send owners to the edge after playing the Atlanta defense.
Larry Johnson could have a big day in Philadelphia if Jamal Charles isn’t playing.
If Aaron Rogers can’t get it going against St. Louis, it is time to start thinking trade.
Matt Stafford could be a big sleeper against Washington.
Look for Jake Delhomme to put up decent numbers against the Cowboys. Especially if Tony Romo gives Carolina the ball in scoring territory.
I love me some Carson Palmer playing the Steelers without Troy Polumalu.
Neither Frank Gore or Adrian Peterson will have 100 yards when their teams play each other on Sunday.
Look for more Donald Brown in Week 3 against Arizona. I would have suggested trading Joseph Addai but I don’t think anyone would take him.

CamelClutchBlog.com Fantasy Football League Standings

Division 1
Team We Own You (Erik Espenberg) 2-0
Dusty’s RedBellySpot (Eric Gargiulo) 1-1
Team Nuetral Zone (Brett Clendaniel) 1-1
Havertown Spoilers (Bryan Riegel) 0-2
Team Wheelhouse Radio! (Jeff Peck) 0-2

Division 2
Team The Nice Guys (jeff porrini) 2-0
…Not You!!! (John Yomtov) 2-0
1st Place (Derek Sabato) 1-1
The Kings of Krista (Josh Usher) 1-1
Team Rowland (Justin Rowland) 0-2

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Philadelphia Eagles fans have gotten their quarterback controversy early. Donovan McNabb will miss 2-4 weeks with cracked ribs. This will be #5’s fifth season of eight with injury. The situation sets up a situation in four weeks where Michael Vick may be the Philadelphia Eagles starting quarterback.

McNabb was injured after being hit on a touchdown run. A review of the tape shows that the hit came late, although it wasn”t called. As an Eagles fan, my fears were heightened when McNabb immediately grabbed both of his knees. McNabb was able to walk off under his own volition, but never returned to the game.

The injury darkened what would have been a glorious day for Philadelphia Eagles fans. The Eagles struggled early by giving up a touchdown to Carolina on their first drive. The Eagles defense sparked the team when Victor Abiamiri picked up a Jake Delhomme fumble and returned it for six. This started a 28-point run, all in the first half. The Eagles got points from the special teams, offense, and defense making it a an all-around terrific team effort.

Kevin Kolb saw his first NFL action since the Baltimore debacle last season. Kolb didn”t look all that much better. The offense didn”t click well under Kolb. Kolb went 7 for 11 for a disappointing 23 yards. On the one hand, Kolb was in a bad spot coming into the game when he did. On the other hand, he has had two opportunities to show his stuff and has failed miserably in both of them.

This isn”t to say that McNabb can come back early. McNabb has played through injuries before, but that doesn”t make me feel better. This could be a situation like 2005 where he was injured in the first game, continued to play through injury, and struggled until Andy Reid finally pulled the plug in mid-season. Andy Reid did say after the game that there is a chance McNabb could play. Whether he plays at 65% or doesn”t play at all, it is a lose-lose situation for Eagles fans.

The Eagles host the New Orleans Saints next week. This is a tricky situation in my opinion for McNabb. The Saints are going to score and I have no confidence that Kevin Kolb can hang in a shootout with Drew Brees. On the other hand, McNabb is already playing behind a questionable offensive line. If it takes sitting him for a game or two to ensure he is back at close to 100%, I say go for it. It isn”t worth seeing McNabb”s entire season ended next week.

Eagles fans have been down this road for the last eight years with Donovan McNabb. Whether it is bad luck or his own culpability, he has been injured in five of the last eight seasons. This is something that he can play through, so his status for next week will probably up in the air all week. Brett Favre is currently playing with bad ribs and so far he has looked good. Like him or not, McNabb is a tough quarterback that once finished a game with a broken leg. All eyes will be on Donovan McNabb for the next seven days.

Never a dull moment in Philadelphia during the football season!

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