The Best

News today is that Brian Westbrook will make a full recovery from his second concussion in three weeks, and while everyone is talking as if he'll return to the field (perhaps in time for a hoped-for playoff), I'm just happy to hear the man isn't looking at reduced capabilities. And since I'm still not convinced that I'm ever going to see him in the active laundry again, it seems as good a time as any to see how he stacks up for the title of Best RB in Franchise History.

Realistically, there are three choices for the honor. The first is more or less unknown to modern fans, but given that he's got infinitely more rings than the others, that might not be fair.

Steve Van Buren

8 years, 5,860 career rushing yards, 69 TDs on the ground. Led the league in rushing and rushing touchdowns in four different years. Played both ways, as usual for the era, with 9 career interceptions as a secondary player. Added another 523 yards on the occasional screen pass, and scored 3 TDs through the air, and another 3 as a kick returner. Star player on two championship teams, 28th in career rushing touchdown, and a member of the Hall of Fame. First running back to win three straight rushing titles; only three other backs (Emmit Smith, Earl Campbell and Jim Brown) have done that. As a 6'-1", 200 pound back who ran a 9.8 100-yard dash, I'm pretty sure he could hold up to today's game.

There is also this: before SVB, the laundry never finished above fourth, and barely survived World War II for fear of being contracted with the Pittsburgh franchise. Had he not played for the club, there's a very real chance that the franchise would have had only one championship (the 1960 title over the not quite ready Packers) in over 75 years.

Old-time Eagle fans swear by van Buren, and for good reason. In both championship games, he was the best player on the field, and in the second championship, he set a then-league record with 196 yards on the ground. A seven-time All-Pro, he was basically Jim Brown 1.0, and by doing what he did in the late '40s and early '50s, it's not like he was doing this before people knew what they were doing. If you want to call him the best, I'm not going to argue.

Wilbert Montgomery

9 seasons, 6,789 career rushing yards, 2,502 career receiving. 45 touchdowns on the ground, another 12 as a receiver. 42 fumbles, including a league-leading 14 in his big 1979 year. At 5'-10", 195, he was a little small for every down use, and had good hands as a receiver and was just plain shifty. His emergence as a star after being picked in the sixth round in 1977 from Abilene Christian gave the populace the big clue that the Dick Vermeil / Carl Peterson era was going to be a good one in terms of finding untapped talent. Wilbert led the league in all-purpose yards in 1979, and went to two Pro Bowls, and was the best offensive player for the Super Bowl losing 1980 season. He also had the ball in his hands for the best moment in the history of the franchise. Let's look at again now, shall we?



Forty two yards, untouched, and a generation of losing to Dallas was done. Now let's watch it again, but with Merrill Reese.



Yeah, it is better. Merrill's got a way.

The twin chinks in Montgomery's armor are injuries (he only played the full 16-game slate once), and fumbles -- 42 is a lot, especially when you are being considered for the title of best RB in franchise history. Basically, he was fairly close to the late '70s Clinton Portis... or the next guy.

Brian Westbrook

Now in his 8th season, with 5,946 yards rushing and 3,765 yards receiving, which actually puts him just ahead of Montgomery for yards from scrimmage. 37 career rushing touchdowns and 29 through the air, so he's got the edge in total touchdowns, but this is an era in which more points are scored. Dub has only 12 career fumbles so far, which is a huge advantage. Possibly the most dangerous back I've ever seen on a screen pass. At 5'-8" and 200, has never really been seen as a workhorse back, with only three years of over 200 carries. Despite the waterbug size, was never really a change of pace back, mostly due to one of the best stiff arms in the business, and he never seemed to take a game off. He also had four straight years where you could count on him for 700 yards on 70+ catches. Outstanding at blitz pickup, with two rookie year kick returns for touchdowns, one of which helped the team absolutely steal a win in New York. This clip has that highlight and four other minutes that produce much happiness.



To my mind, Dub gets the gold, despite his similar or worse injury problems. I'm also inclined to and not just because he is doing it in the modern eras, with presumably better athletes and coaching. The fumbles are just too many for me to give the nod to Wilbert, and I'm also inclined to downgrade the better rushing TD numbers, since Captain Andy and the modern era have conspired to take away goal line touches from many of the best backs.

Now, Dub's candidacy isn't perfect. Unlike SVB, there are no rings, and unlike Wilbert, he's never been as absolutely necessary to the team's success, and even more injury-prone. Running yards should matter more than passing yards for a running back, too, and the very best Eagles RB in franchise history is probably SVB in between the tackles. Wilbert on any handoff that goes outside, and Dub on any pass play.

But all in all, give me Dub for everything. (And, shh, maybe Ricky Watters as a surprisingly good option. Only three years in the laundry, but the full career looks more like Walter Payton, Thurman Thomas or Jim Brown than you might imagine.)

But again, if you want to argue for SVB, or just tell me how Wilbert had your vote now and forever for 42 Untouched Yards, that is your prerogative.