Westbrook Ready for Familiar Foe
Posted by on October 8, 2010 – 3:23 PM
Brian Westbrook was one of the smartest players Andy Reid ever coached with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles head man said as much earlier in the week when speaking in a conference call with the Bay Area media.
Westbrook spent eight seasons with Reid and is the Eagles all-time leader in yards from scrimmage (9,875). But for all he’s accomplished, Westbrook has yet to make his mark with his new team.
Through four games with the 49ers, Westbrook has one carry for no gain and two catches for six yards. Needless to say, it’s been tough on the 5-foot-10, 203-pound versatile running back.
“The last four weeks I felt I had an opportunity to help this team but it really hasn’t happened for me,” Westbrook said on Friday. “It’s definitely frustrating. As a player you always want to play and help the team.”
But things could soon change. New offensive coordinator Mike Johnson said earlier Westbrook would be more involved against Philadelphia, especially with mismatch creating tight end Delanie Walker ruled out with an ankle sprain.
“Brian’s been a very good player in this league for a long time and we are going to try to utilize his talents and try to get him involved in some way here pretty soon,” Johnson said.
It’s the perfect time for the nine-year veteran to make an impact, just in time to play the team that drafted him in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to see those guys, play against those guys. But, for me, I want the opportunity to play, no matter who it’s against. I just want to help the team win, that’s been my goal since I’ve been here.”
Westbrook said he frequently speaks with former teammate and Washington Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb, but didn’t ask about the emotions involved with playing their former team. McNabb visited Lincoln Financial Field for the first time as an opponent last week.
“I didn’t ask him about that, but I had a feeling of how he felt… For me it’s different because you’re not playing in Philly.”
Westbrook’s lack of involvement early on in the 49ers offense has been a disappointment to him, but he understands his playing time comes at the cost of losing Frank Gore.
“Frank’s a great running back, he’s done so many things to help this team win. It’s hard to take him off the field because he’s so explosive with the ball in his hands. You kind of understand that, but you know there are spots you can get in the game and you try to take advantage of those opportunities.”
Westbrook is hopeful to get more of those opportunities against players he frequently competed against in practice .
But his familiarity with Sunday night’s opponent is not changing his mentality. That stays the same, whether he’s scheduled to start or come off the bench.
“I prepare just like I’m going to play and hopefully at some point, I get an opportunity.
“I’ve been playing in the league for a long time and have made a lot of different plays. I know I can still do those things. Hopefully this will be the week where I get some chances to open the eyes of some people.”
If all goes to Westbrook’s plan, he’ll re-open the eyes of two fan bases at the same time.
Extra Points
For more on this week’s game, watch Westbrook’s locker room interview, our Weekly Conversation with this week’s guest Mike Johnson, 49ers Focus videos from Wednesday and Thursday, as well as all the headlines from Week 5.
Also, don’t miss out on the premiere of our new kids-only show, 49ers Total Access For Kids. It premieres this Saturday at 8:30 a.m. PT on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area and again at 2:30 p.m. PT on KTVU. Visit the Kids Section of 49ers.com for more info.
And lastly, don’t forget to wear red on Sunday night as Candlestick will be undergoing a “Red Out” for the 49ers-Eagles game.
Tags: Brian Westbrook, Mike Johnson
Posted in Game Preview | 28 Comments »
28 Responses
to “Westbrook Ready for Familiar Foe”
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By David on Oct 8, 2010 | Reply
Lets just forget about everthing except winning the ball game no matter what!
By Jerry on Oct 8, 2010 | Reply
“It’s Time!”
By califresno on Oct 8, 2010 | Reply
Westbrook is so deadly in the back field and even split out….you got to utilize this guy in your play calling…..make the linebackers guess by using him and frank in the back….let’s open it up like the red sea…..let’s go get em this week!
By DC on Oct 8, 2010 | Reply
Westbrook off the bench to help Dixon ready to carry the ball he comes off the bench the only thing left is to set Alex Smith on the bench an unleash Carr and we have a game. GO 9ers.
By tom on Oct 9, 2010 | Reply
I don’t understand why he sits the bench so much. Put him in the slot position if you don’t have him in the back field.Waste of talent! Be curious to see some wild cat with him and gore once in awhile to see defense reaction.We all know Gore is the man back there but with struggling qb and offense what do you have to loose? Makes no sense to me. I do think this is the week we get off the snide! Go Niners!
By robert esch on Oct 9, 2010 | Reply
I agree. We do need to utlize Westbrooks talents. Give the defense a little more to think about. I feel he can be a dangerous weapon in our arsenal of talent. But first and foremost you have to put him in.
By stephen galetti on Oct 9, 2010 | Reply
Time to turn EVERYONE loose, what’s to lose……Hopefully not another game…GO NINERS
By Martin on Oct 9, 2010 | Reply
Westbrook ready for Philly LOL. Instead of one play we will use him for two plays, what a waste of talent.
By Daniel on Oct 9, 2010 | Reply
Use Westbrook already…we have the chance to alternate backs and have yet to do so…COME ON 49ers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By JR on Oct 9, 2010 | Reply
I think the 9ers need to rotate players, keep the other team guessing, add a few trick plays & get it done. high scoring game! Go 9ers~
By jose on Oct 9, 2010 | Reply
when are we going to use wesbrook & the rookie RB. THE RUNNING GAME ON PREE-SEASON WAS VERY GOOD.WHY NOT USE THIS GUYS TO GIVE SOME REST TO GORE ON SOME OF THE PLAY CALLS.
By JR on Oct 9, 2010 | Reply
I believe that we should rotate our players every once in a while, throw in a few trick plays every so often, too keep them guessing. Let’s GO>>> 9ers, let’s score high like we use too back in the 80′s and early 90′s, Blessings from above!
By John Perez on Oct 9, 2010 | Reply
Im goona be p!@#ed off if we dont use Westbrooks talents in this game….GET IT DONE NINERS COACHING STAFF.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By T2W on Oct 9, 2010 | Reply
All of you are right put westbrook in any formation as well as gore but the real suprise is going to be when they give touches to dixon (alias the buse 2.0) this rookie is a game breaker along with gore and westbrook.. GONINER’S T2W
By cbking on Oct 9, 2010 | Reply
cant agree more………..PUT WESTBROOK IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PUT HIM IN THE SLOT, OUT WIDE,AS A TIGHT END, JUST PUT THE FRICKEN TALENT ON THE FIELD. WHAT DO WE HAVE TO LOSE AT 0-4?
By Jon on Oct 9, 2010 | Reply
I agree, if we use the same old coaching approach we will be 0-5 after tomorrow. Who knows what goes through these coaches heads? I would have both gore and westbrook in the game for 80% of the offensive plays. Its one more guy to focus on. Hey Coaches.. LISTEN!! the fans can see it, why cant you??? Lets try something different this week. WIN
By kenny on Oct 9, 2010 | Reply
win it
By Brian boogie on Oct 9, 2010 | Reply
GET RID OF ALEX SMITH OR WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A LOSING SEASON. GET RID OF TED YORK TOO. THIS IS HIS FAULT. HE IS MAKING SINGLETARY START ALEX
By tom on Oct 10, 2010 | Reply
It’s ashame that our offense philosophy isn’t the same as our defense. I heard Mike Johnson say the defense dictates our personnel? What the … Bill Walsh is prob rolling in his grave right now. Until coach realizes that you have to be agresive on offense and YOU dictate what the defense does will will loose many more.
By ben on Oct 10, 2010 | Reply
it is time for singletary,smith,and the rest of the losers on this team to get the axe. how many games do u let a quarterback lose for u before u realize he is a third stringer in the cfl at best. i am tired of sing saying the niners r a good team, tell it like it is and call out the guys who week in and week out cost the team games,and how about taking some time in practice to learn how to make a tackle! looks like another in a long line of dissappointing seasons
By paul stom on Oct 10, 2010 | Reply
faggot: english translation-a cigerette san francisco translation: the way we
have been playing football and the personality of coaches (dresses?) its the
extension of the front office into the actual coaching of the team. Jerry Jones
has finally found out that he doesn’t know anything about football just wantabe.
York most likely will be the same. Rich kids that never got to play dodgeball.
The Defense hasn’t stopped anybody. Not when it counted (2 games close)
two others history. To look forward and not pay attention to what is obviously
occuring at the niners camp; and in previous games is idiotic no moronic. You
dumped Norv in the middle of season; do likewise with Singletary and trade
Alex. He will always be afraid. I know its a hybrid game nowadays. But
sometimes there’s nothing like SIMPLE-SMASHMOUTH-PEDAL TO THE METAL
FOOTBALL. QUIT BEING FAGGOTS-TURN IT LOOSE BOTH WAYS.
By JR Baca on Oct 10, 2010 | Reply
Our guyes just need to stay focused, play the game and win every game from here on out, keep smashing them in the mouth, there is a lot of season left. lets win “BIG” from now on Go 9ers
By PETERD on Oct 10, 2010 | Reply
Hey Brian boogie, just exactly how do you know this for a fact?
By PETERD on Oct 10, 2010 | Reply
Paul Stom,
Intelligent, thoughtful comment, good vocabulary, articulated very well. Oops! Maybe I sound like a f—-t? I thought the gay NFL players were (are?) just as tough as any other player.
By J-Rod on Oct 10, 2010 | Reply
When will the niners give up on Alex Smith? As a die hard niner fan, this has been a brutal 5 years of watching this guy. Good kid, but just doesn’t have it to play at a high level in the NFL. Why the niners didn’t pull the trigger to trade a 2nd round pick for Donovan Mcnabb, I have no idea. That was a no-brainer move. And look at where we are, 0-4. Good move front office.
By paul stom on Oct 10, 2010 | Reply
not really- just hoped for a higher level of play. ah those wild presumptions they
drive you crazy. hey this team makes it easy. time to go do something positive
and constructive. adious
By JR Baca on Oct 10, 2010 | Reply
Another loss, we did not finish again. Changes need to be made “NOW” get rid of Alex Smith. he sucks, listen to your faithful fans. 0-5 not good at all. NO MORE LOSSES!
By THOMAS ESPADA on Oct 17, 2010 | Reply
WOW!!!!!!!!! I CANT BEILEVE IT MY NINERS FINALLY WON A GAME!!! NOW THEY MUST CONTINUE THAT STRIDE AND DONT STOP. COMING FROM A DIE HARD FAN SINCE 1980, IM NOT GIVING UP YET I WAS MAD AND ANGRY BUT I MUST REMEMBER THIS GAME IS NOT EASY TO ITS HARD. AND THESE GUYS PLAY EVERY WEEK HARD SO I NOW ITS A FRIST WIN BUT ILL TAKE IT FAN SINCE 1980 GOOOOO NINERS.