Eagles prepare to face electric Bush, league leader in catches

CBS Sportsline ^ | 10-13-06 | Mr. Wire

[Dysart]

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Eagles prepared for Reggie Bush by practicing against Brian Westbrook. Just in time for Sunday's game against New Orleans, Westbrook took part in practices this week. The versatile running back hadn't been on the field much the past month except for games because of a lingering knee injury.

Bush, the No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft, already has drawn comparisons to Westbrook because he's a multiple threat as a runner, receiver and returner.

"The biggest problem with Reggie is the matchup problems of making sure we don't have any mismatches," Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said. "He's a lot like Westbrook. So, you're always conscious of things like that. They put him outside as a wide receiver, just like we do with Brian. They keep him inside as a tailback."

Bush leads the NFL with 34 receptions for 250 yards. He has 170 yards rushing on 54 carries and scored his only touchdown on a 75-yard punt return against Tampa Bay last week.

[Dysart]

I'll be watching this one closely Sunday while I keep waiting for the Saints to return to their losing ways. I merely hope it's not this week vs the Eagles.

The parallels drawn betwixt Westbrook and Bush are pretty accurate, but Bush can be much more dangerous which must be frightening to his foes because Westbrook is damn good.

I'm impressed with Sean Peyton's handling of this team early in his stint as HC. Coach of the year candidate anyone?

[Dysart]

Care to ping the list to an article on your Eagles-Saints tilt?

This game intrigues me(an added perk: no mention of the T.O. Cowboys anywhere.

[Dysart]

A perceptive coaching staff watched closely how the Eagles attacked the T.O. Cowboys OL, and ultimately the QB. Let us determine what the Saints gleaned and how they prepared for these tactics. Brees is more physically gifted/more apt at reading hot reads. Possibly his supporting cast will be equal to the task.

[Dysart]

[cgk]

NFL PING

FReepmail scott says to be added to, or to be taken off the NFL Ping list...

This is a fairly high volume ping list

[Terpfen]

I think there's more of a parallel between Bush and Welker than Bush and Westbrook. But hey.

It'd be a surprise to see the Saints win this one.

[cgk]

Thanks for the ping. I was actually expecting prodigal son type comments about Stallworth coming back to NOLA, but he's 'doubtful' so it's talk about Westbrook vs Bush. I am Westbrook-biased as an "all around threat" of course. :) Can't wait for the game!

[Dysart]

I thought only the the crickets and I were the only "folks" looking forward to the NFL on Sat am. LOL I have a new found respect for the Eagles after last week, so good luck tomorrow Eagles fans.(Did I really say that??)

It should be intriguing to watch how the Saints bounce back after a tough battle vs the Panthers. And will the Eagles have a let down after their emotional T.O. Super bowl?

And should Cowboys somehow fall to the blitz-happy Texans, expect panic in the streets of the Cowboys nation.

[Dysart]

I think there's more of a parallel between Bush and Welker than Bush and Westbrook

Bush will learn the requisite skills of playing the RB position at this level. He's still learning how to wait for his blocking to develop before he commits to the proper gap. I think Peyton will instill this in him, just as his mentor(Parcells) has taught Julius Jones this technique. Bush is bigger, stronger than Westbrook, and will become an effective inside runner. He'll always have the ability to bounce outside with his speed when required.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Bush has barely gotten started and he still leds the league in catches. Wow.

[cgk]

I thought only the the crickets and I were the only "folks" looking forward to the NFL on Sat am. LOL

LOL, no... I was out all day so I didn't get your ping until late last night. You can also ping the other NFL list 'keepers' whenever you have an article. They are: scottsays, mainepatsfan, ultrasonic007 and mikefromohio. Then again, with me being the only Eagles fan, I might've been the only one to ping it ;) (since it's not a T.O. thread hehe).

Don't tell me there's actually talk about the Cowboys losing to the Texans??

[Dysart]

1) Nah, no scuttlebutt of the Cowboys losing to the Texans, just warning any locals of what dire ramifications portend if that occurred. I.E., head for the hills...

2) I was apprehensive that if I did ping another list keeper that it would indeed turn into another hysterical T.O. thread! There's a burgeoning legion of Dallas fans who wish to not hear his name ever again unless it's discussing his on-field performance. This is perfectly fine. Otherwise it's desirable to focus on the team, not an individual personality who is just swinging by for a year, maybe two. Besides, he's not even our best receiver! You'd just have to live here to appreciate the frivolous obsession with the guy by the media.

[cgk]

There's a burgeoning legion of Dallas fans who wish to not hear his name ever again unless it's discussing his on-field performance.

I'm thinking Parcells is at the TOP of that list :)

You'd just have to live here to appreciate the frivolous obsession with the guy by the media.

As an Eagles fan, when he was with the team, it was all T.O. all the time (still is at ESPN!), and we didn't even have the local Philly channels until we moved back to PA.

I grow weary of football's clowns taking away from their teams, whatever teams they are.

All they do, IMO, is lessen the game - and I love the game.

I was reading a matchup this morning between Philly and New Orleans, and they seem to infer that Stallworth will be playing. I hope so, but last night he was still doubtful, so maybe it's a psych move by Reid LOL. :)