The Running Back Question

Burkholder, Reid, and Todd France (Westbrook's agent) all say the Westbrook surgery was no big deal, and he should be fine by the start of the regular season.  Comments from Westbrook's surgeon cast a shadow of doubt on this biased confidence.  So to scare you shitless this Sunday I bring you:

"It's difficult to get into the back of an ankle surgically," Myerson said. "That's an area where there are a lot of blood vessels and nerves. He had a lot of loose fragments, and terrible inflammation and scarring."

"Now he has to go through a very extensive rehab, and it will be too soon for him to play in the preseason."

"I've taken care of these types of injuries," Myerson said. "It takes two to three months to get better. It's a fairly predictable course, but it's not a quick recovery."

Two months would be August 5^th.  Three months would be September 5^th.  Training camp opens on July 29^th.  The preseason schedule opens against the Patriots on August 13^th.  The regular season opens on September 13^th against the Carolina Panthers.  The last thing Westbrook and the Birds need is another season with their best player limping through the schedule at 75 to 85 percent.  Westbrook needs to be 100 percent before he takes the field in 2009.  Which of course leaves the squad in a curious position with a rookie backup (McCoy) and an underachieving change of pace back (Booker).  Now I'm not calling for the Birds to make any immediate roster decisions.  Unlike G. Cobb, I don't think the Birds need to acquire two veteran running backs immediately.  However, I do agree that if there is any inkling that Westbrook is behind schedule at any point, the Birds should move quickly to acquire some insurance.  The problem lies in the fact that the available insurance policies are amongst the washed up and injured.  So what are we looking at here?

J.J. Arrington - cut after failing his physical with the Denver Broncos (knee).  Never has been a successful running back after a terrific career at California.  A career 3.6 ypg average.  Just another undersized guy. 

Edgerrin James - half the man he used to be, but showed a little spunk at the end of 2008.  Could step in from day one and perform in the West Coast offense.  Would he be interested in a stopgap position?  Would he ask for too much money?

DeShaun Foster - Averaged 3.1 yards per carry in 2008 as a backup for Frank Gore in San Fran.  The only thing he does consistently is underwhelm his employers.  Shown ability catching the ball out of the backfield. 

Other options:  Tatum Bell, Michael Pittman (Could give Brett Myers a run for his money in the domestic dispute department), Rudi Johnson (if you run on 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th down, you might get 8 yards out of the guy), Aaron Stecker (34 years old and coming off an 8 carry season - he's fresh!), Jesse Chatman (five different teams in five years - two stints with the Dolphins), and Travis Minor (54 carries in the last 4 years - he's super fresh!), and don't forget Reno Mahe (my wife will be cleaning the back of my head off the wall in our hall bathroom).

To me, all roads lead to LeSean McCoy.  I can't tolerate the "he's a rookie, he won't be prepared to handle the load" argument that has already been drummed around.  McCoy was the 53^rd player taken in April's draft.  If he's not prepared to step into a significant role there are only two scapegoats - the front office and/or the coaching staff.  Last year's second round picks Ray Rice (55^th overall) and Matt Forte (44^th overall) both stepped in and made significant contributions to their teams.  I don't see why we'd expect anything less from McCoy if given the chance.