Brian Westbrook
Although it took a little longer than he might’ve preferred, free-agent running back Brian Westbrook should be wearing a new jersey in the near future.
Jason La Canfora, of NFL.com, is reporting that the St. Louis Rams are still in contact with the former Pro Bowler, and he’ll soon choose a new team. His choices include the Rams, Washington Redskins, and Denver Broncos.
Westbrook has already visited each team, and now the question for him becomes which place would make the most sense to sign with. Wherever he goes, he’ll be relegated to a backup role. In St. Louis, he’ll back up Steven Jackson, arguably a top two RB in the NFL.
With the Redskins, he’d add to their growing list of aging backs (Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson, Willie Parker); meaning there’d be a good chance one, or even two, from that group wouldn’t make the final roster.
The Broncos are an interesting choice. Knowshon Moreno is pretty much entrenched as the team’s starter, but is far from elite or true feature-back material. Current backup Correll Buckhalter, Westbrook’s former teammate with the Eagles, is an oft-injured option and shouldn’t be too much of a threat for carries.
In the end, the Redskins don’t make much sense at all, as he’d be buried on the depth chart. If I were him, I’d settle on Denver. They’re not a rebuilding project like the Rams are, and don’t have a litany of players at the position already like the ‘Skins. Kyle Orton, or Brady Quinn, or Tim Tebow, whichever Denver quarterback ends up starting, will need a dumpoff option and receiving threat out of the backfield; which are Westbrook’s bread and butter.
My money’s definitely on the Broncos landing Westbrook.
