Westbrook dispelled the myth that he can’t stay healthy last year by touching the ball 350 times and compiling over 2000 total yards. While Donovan McNabb struggled returning from ACL surgery, Westbrook flourished when everyone knew he was getting the ball.

Westbrook hasn’t been able to build on his 2007 campaign but he is still putting together a strong season. 600 yards of total offense while missing two games, but only two performances producing over 100 total yards of offense. His impact has still been felt, as the Eagles rank sixth in total offense, including third in passing. All of this coming despite missing their top two receivers for the bulk of the first half, and their anchor on the offensive line (Shawn Andrews).

Hist last game against the Giants was a tremendous one. He had 120 yards on the ground including the Eagles lone touchdown on the first drive. The Giants were able to hold the Eagles to 13 points because McNabb had a shaky game, but if Westbrook is able to have that much success this time around things could be a lot different.

How to Stop Brian Westbrook

You can’t stop Brian Westbrook…you can only hope to contain him. Forgive me for my misleading headline.

We all know about his unbelievable ability in the open field. When he gets to the second level, he can put his head down and bounce off a defensive back or he can use his speed and slip right by him. His instincts make that skillset even deadlier. He can read the mind of the DB and if he thinks they are expecting him to lower his shoulder, he’ll run around him, and vice-versa.

There will be times where he gets to that second level, and at that point the Giants defenders just have to run to the ball and get him down. But they will have to limit those events that he does break through.

How do they do that? First and foremost is gap discipline. This goes for you Fred Robbins. He’s putting together a stellar 2008 campaign, one that warrants a Pro Bowl berth. But the Eagles are going to try to turn his strength into the Giants kryptonite on Sunday night.

There are times where Robbins tries to shoot the gap to get to the quarterback, and blows right by the guard. If it is a pass the quarterback has no chance. However, if it is a draw, then the Giants are in trouble. Robbins would essentially take himself out of the play with this tactic and leave Westbrook the entire middle of the field to work with. Want to contain a dangerous back? Don’t give him that type of advantage half a second into the play.

Robbins is one of the more astute linemen in the league so I have faith he won’t be guilty of that too often. But he better be self-conscious of it in certain situations. It will be appropriate to use that move on third and 12…not so much on second and four.

The Giants defense plays the screens as well as any defense in the league, and that is Westbrook’s bread and butter. Odds are they’ll run that to the more inexperienced side of the Giants defensive line, so watch out Mathias Kiwanuka. If you see a clear path to the quarterback and catch a No.36 creeping behind you, drop back in coverage.

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