Survivor I - Brian Westbrook Commentary

NOTE: this draft was completed on 7/24

Recent Stats

YR	RSH	RSHYD	RSHTD	REC	RECYD	RECTD	FPT	RANK
2002	46	193	0	9	86	0	33.1	73
2003	117	613	7	37	332	4	160.5	20
2004	177	812	3	73	703	6	205.5	10

Positives - In a league with reception points, Westbrook is gold. Despite playing just 13 games in 2004, Westbrook finished the season as the 7th best RB in this scoring system, averaging over 20 points per game. Westbrook is all about turning small opportunity into big rewards. This guy can reach the goal line promised land from anywhere on the field, breaking loose for 9 TDs from over 20 yards out, including 2 kick returns. And, his spot in the top 10 was reached with far fewer touches than his peers.

Negatives - Durability is his biggest question mark. Since entering the league, Westbrook has not played a complete season. Correll Buckhalter returns from injury and the Eagles spent a 3rd round pick on Ryan Moats this year, surely cutting into Westbrook’s already limited carries.

Draft Strategy - Sitting at the end of the draft order is tough enough in a league with some weak owners, but 12 footballguys (who can even write engaging haikus!) would surely be a challenge. I figured the 11 picks before me would be nearly all RBs. I suspected that possibly only Manning and Moss would be the non-RB picks. Knowing this, I ranked my top 10 RBs. I had suspicions that Westbrook would fall because he tends to get undervalued. I really hoped Moss might make it because the next WR on my board was Owens and I didn’t want 2 Eagles off the bat. With Wheelhouse surprisingly grabbing Culpepper at 11, my strategy changed a bit because now 2 of my top 10 RBs were still sitting there. Thank you, Mr. Wheelhouse.