Matt Bowen, The Examiner
2007-11-14 08:00:00.0
Current rank: Not ranked

WASHINGTON -

I have always believed Philadelphia’s Brian Westbrook is an exceptional football player, however, I am now convinced he is quite possibly the most underrated player in the National Football League.

This guy, who is more of a combination of Marshall Faulk and Warrick Dunn, can be defined to defensive play callers simply as “Matchup Hell.” He is too fast and quick for any linebacker — and for about three-fourths of the safeties. He lines up all over and turns your normal five-yard check down route — especially against the Redskins deep, and I mean deep, Cover-2 alignment — into a 50-yard touchdown scamper. All the while leaving defenders, guys that can run, spinning on their heels as he walks into the end zone. Man, I knew he was good, but this good?

Show a seven-man front and he can run on you all day. Bring an extra guy in the box and have a linebacker or strong safety cover him and you will be chasing until they turn the lights out at the stadium. Cover 2 is designed to make the quarterback throw the check down. It is a completion, followed by a quick tackle, and at most, four yards and live for the next down. Not with this dude. It is a catch, hold your breath, and then watch him make the rest of your teammates look silly. What is lost in all of this is that he is still a running back. He gets the ball over 50 percent of the time, and every play has the chance to go the distance.

I understand the concept of taking away the deep ball and sending 11 guys to the check downs and underneath routes with the Redskins’ defensive speed. But speed has never made a tackle in the open field. From my vantage point, which is a long way from the sidelines these days, it looked like the Redskins game plan in September against the Eagles involved more pressure. I love the fact that Gregg Williams has the ability to mix and match what he uses on Sundays, going from pressure to coverage, but this Sunday seemed a little too passive. Give credit to Eagles coach Andy Reid. He won the chess match Sunday. His game plan centered around Westbrook, while Williams and his boys were a couple of moves short.

Former Redskins safety Matt Bowen, a seven-year NFL veteran, contributes a weekly column to The Examiner during the NFL season.