Westbrook and Curtis Should Be Shelved
Ever since Kevin Curtis went under the knife to clean out his ailing knee, and Brian Westbrook suffered his second concussion in less than a month, I’ve been waiting for this dynamic-when-healthy-duo to be placed on IR. Sadly, that has yet to happen.
What, if anything, can either player offer when/if they return? I say not much. Curtis has been on a steady downhill slide since January. DeSean Jackson’s emergence and the drafting of Jeremy Maclin put Curtis on notice. Get back on the field and start balling, or your days are numbered.
Well, his days in midnight green are running out. A balky knee is not getting better, no matter what Reid leads us to believe. At 31, his slight frame is bruised and battered. He never possessed the necessary speed to play the X-receiver, and a lack of strength precluded him from excelling in the slot, where Jason Avant dominates week in and week out.
Curtis no longer has a role on this team. If he comes back, great. It will be one more pass catcher for a pass heavy offense. However, unless Maclin’s plantar fasciitis becomes a problem, I don’t want Curtis taking reps away from the rookie. I really want to see how far this group of youngsters can go before hitting the wall. They may be the future, but they are also the present.
Same goes for Westbrook. Why risk his career for a chance to play in a couple games down the stretch? If he takes one more vicious shot to the head, it’s bye bye NFL, hello retirement. Sit him down and let his brain fully heal. They are 8-4 without him. They don’t need him to compete and win games like they did a year ago.
I’m sure he wants to play and feels he can contribute, but considering the pounding he has endured during his eight-year career, I don’t think it’s very prudent to allow him back on the field. Concussions are serious business. Ask Eric Lindros and Keith Primeau. I’ve already seen the disturbing images of an unconscious Westbrook lying helpless on the turf. I don’t need a repeat.
So, please Andy, do Westy and Kevin favors, and tell them their seasons are over. I realize you want that elusive championship, but neither of them is in any condition to help you get it. For once, stop thinking like an NFL head coach, and instead think like a human being.
firt of all, before the knee injury, curtis had more speed then you give him credit for. While playing for the Rams, Curtis was one of the better slot recievers in the league. i’m not saying that he should be taking time from jackson, maclin or avant, but if he could get healthy, i would like to see him dress over reggie brown come playoff time. As far as westbrook goes, he is too much of a player to give up on if he might be able to come back for the playoffs. i mean, who are you going to bring on to the roster to help if you shelve westbrook? no one that can help you. if there is a slight chance that west could come back for the playoffs, i say wait it out. remember edgerrin james coming out of nowhere in the playoffs last year to help the cardinals to the superbowl? maybe that is bwest this year
December 9th, 2009 at 9:20 am