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PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Eagles prepared for Reggie Bush by practicing against Brian Westbrook.
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Just in time for Sunday's game against New Orleans, Westbrook took part in practices this week. The versatile running back hadn't been on the field much the past month except for games because of a lingering knee injury.
Bush, the No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft, already has drawn comparisons to Westbrook because he's a multiple threat as a runner, receiver and returner.
"The biggest problem with Reggie is the matchup problems of making sure we don't have any mismatches," Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said. "He's a lot like Westbrook. So, you're always conscious of things like that. They put him outside as a wide receiver, just like we do with Brian. They keep him inside as a tailback."
Bush leads the NFL with 34 receptions for 250 yards. He has 170 yards rushing on 54 carries and scored his only touchdown on a 75-yard punt return against Tampa Bay last week.
Westbrook, a fifth-year pro considered one of the best all-around backs in the league, has 289 yards rushing, 217 yards receiving and six total TDs. He participated in practices twice this week before sitting out Friday because the team worked out on turf indoors.
"They're both very good players, both great players, both special players," Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. "Brian has got a little bit more experience and I suppose that is how you can compare them."
Early in his career, Westbrook also was a dangerous returner. He has two TDs on punt returns, but hasn't been used much in that role since becoming the team's every-down back in 2004.
The Saints rely more on Deuce McAllister to run the ball, so they can take advantage of Bush's game-breaking skills by having him return punts. The Heisman Trophy winner creates nightmares for special teams coaches because he's capable of going the distance each time he touches the ball.
"All you have to do is watch the tape to see how good he is," Eagles special teams coordinator John Harbaugh said. "He outruns people, that's for sure. And he also has that elusiveness. He has the combination of, he'll make you miss in a real fluid way, and then the ability to change all the angles on the field."
Harbaugh said the best way to neutralize Bush is to have punter Dirk Johnson kick the ball out of bounds. It's not as simple as it sounds, however.
"He's in the middle of the field and he can get to most of the balls," Harbaugh said. "The problem is, you do that sometimes and he drops it inside a little bit and now all of a sudden you have a 20-yard punt, or you do it to the right and you have a 15-yard shank. Because of the angles in the field, you don't have that margin for error anymore. Yeah, we'd love to punt it out of bounds every time. And maybe we will."
Notes
- CB Lito Sheppard was ill and joined Westbrook on the sideline Friday. CB Rod Hood (heel) and WR Donte' Stallworth (hamstring) remain doubtful after missing practices all week.
- The Eagles prepared for the loud fans at the Louisiana Superdome by simulating crowd noise inside their practice bubble.
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