Byron Westbrook won’t get a chance to face his brother Sunday. But he will get a chance to emulate him. When the Redskins practice this week, Byron Westbrook’s job will be to pretend in practice that he’s someone he knows well: Eagles running back Brian Westbrook.
“I’ll probably give him a call later and ask him for some tips,” said Byron Westbrook, a corner on the Redskins’ practice squad.
But there’s not much he can do that the Redskins haven’t already seen from Brian Westbrook — a DeMatha graduate, like his brother — the past five seasons. He only has one 100-yard game and three touchdowns in eight games vs. Washington.
However, last season Westbrook gained a combined 201 yards rushing and 75 yards receiving against the Redskins. And Washington must be wary of dump-offs to him.
“The first couple years they said he didn’t have the patience to wait for the blocks,” Byron Westbrook said. “But he has the patience and the knowledge now. He’s a big-time player now.”
That’s not surprising to Eagles coach Andy Reid.
“[Brian’s rookie year] I said I’ve never seen anybody pick this offense up from that position as fast as he did,” Reid said. “Not only is he a good player, but he’s very, very smart.”
