Former Eagles running back Brian Westbrook knows a thing or two about versatility. The two-time Pro Bowl playmaker did it all during his playing days, from running between the tackles to returning punts to lining up as a receiver all over the field.
The Villanova alum knows what it’s like to be an all-encompassing threat out of the backfield, so he has appreciated the early showings of Eagles rookie running back Kenny Gainwell.
“I see that he’s versatile,” Westbrook told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday. “When you put him in the game, usually it gives you an advantage because now the defense can’t say, ‘This is going to be a run play,’ or ‘This is going to solely be a pass play.’ [Eagles head coach] Nick Sirianni has done a really good job of making sure that defenses can’t key in on the personnel to understand what’s going to happen.”
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Through the Eagles’ first two games, Gainwell, a fifth-round pick out of Memphis, has played 44 snaps. While working on 34.1% of the offensive plays, Gainwell has run for 51 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries and caught four passes for 24 yards on six targets. The 5-foot-9, 201-pound running back also scored on a two-point conversion run against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Westbrook thinks Gainwell’s versatility makes him a hard study for opposing defensive coordinators.
“Gainwell has run the ball -- draws, powers, inside and outside zone -- but he’s also lined up as a receiver in the slot position and run routes there,” Westbrook said. “He’s caught the ball out of the backfield. I think that gives an advantage to the offense when you have guys that can do multiple things and do them well.”
So far, the Eagles have only used Gainwell and starter, Miles Sanders, in the backfield. While the Eagles rank second in the league with 324 rushing yards, a lot of that production has come from quarterback Jalen Hurts, as he’s picked up 144 rushing yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.
Westbrook -- now working with DraftKings as a brand ambassador -- believes Gainwell and Sanders should be fed the ball more out of the backfield. Through two games, the duo has combined for 43 carries.
“They need more touches,” Westbrook said. “For me, I want to give Miles Sanders 20-25 touches every game. I think this team would be in a better place, and quite honestly, with the way the defense has been playing -- which is pretty good, keeping the score close -- this gives you the opportunity to do that. I would love to have Miles Sanders and Gainwell touch the ball a little bit more in that offense.”
Even with the lack of touches, Gainwell has left a positive impression on Westbrook. The Eagles legend thinks Gainwell will keep getting better with more experience, so he wants to see the rookie get more involved on offense.
“He has the world to learn,” Westbrook said. “He’s still learning about the NFL game, but so far, so good on the things that he’s been able to do.”
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Mike Kaye may be reached at mkaye@njadvancemedia.com.
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