Brian Westbrook Lands With San Francisco 49ers: Best Backfield in the Game

One thing that is true about today's NFL is that you can't have enough running backs.  The Saints, the current champion, effectively used three backs who can run, catch, block, and even return kicks between them.

One other thing is that you can't have enough players like Brian Westbrook.  This born leader can do it all and will be a welcome addition to the core of the 49ers offense.

With Gore prone to minor injuries, Westbrook is going to be the third-down playmaker the 49ers have been lacking out of the backfield.  Westbrook can swing out wide for a pass, run the screen, motion out wide as a receiver leaving Gore or Dixon (or both) in the backfield to pound the football up the middle, or stand alone in the backfield on a third and long and throw the key block that allows Smith to operate out of the shotgun.

Westbrook brings the 49ers a much needed third running back.  Not only will the advantage be depth, the versatility as noted above will also be a benefit.

Versatility, it could be argued, is the razor's edge between matching up successfully against the variety of teams in the league and being unsuccessful.  The Saints' versatility in the backfield opens them up for 30+ points per game.

Although the 49ers currently lack a QB of Brees' caliber (as do most teams), this versatility in the backfield is actually more valuable to a team like the 49ers as opposed to a team like the Saints.

Coach Mike Singletary has built a running team.  He's told every team and every player in the league that the 49ers are going to run the ball and now all that's left is to go out there and do it.

Singletary drafted two offensive linemen in the first round to put some talent up front. Now, that developing talent is matched in the backfield with veterans who are going to produce and be in the game on each and every down.

Gore is an All-Pro. 

Westbrook is an All-Pro. 

With the emergence of Anthony Dixon to learn behind these men, the 49ers are going to wear teams out.

First down, second down, third down, fourth down—the 49ers are going to hit you in the mouth and run right by you.  This is 1985 Bears football.  All that's needed now is for the Niners to sign franchise DT Aubrayo Franklin and put him in the backfield as a fullback on the goal line a la William "The Refrigerator" Perry.

My guess is that the bleeding heart liberal fans in San Francisco are going to enjoy watching the 49ers beat some people up. 

All those vegetarian pacifists have to be hungry for some blood.  We're all killers after all.

Other teams be warned.