JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Brian Westbrook entered the NFL as a small player from a small program.
Three years later, the Philadelphia Eagles' 5-foot-8 running back out of Division I-AA Villanova is drawing big praise at the Super Bowl.
"He's fast, and he's explosive," Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest said. "It's like playing against Marshall Faulk. If you plan on beating Philly, you try to contain him. I don't think you can ever stop a guy like him, because he does so many different things."
Westbrook was the Eagles' leading rusher (812 yards) and second-best receiver (73 catches) in the regular season.
And if the Patriots liken Westbrook to Faulk, they'll probably play him the same way they did Faulk in the 2002 Super Bowl. In that game, New England took a physical approach in holding Faulk to 76 yards rushing and 54 yards receiving.
Philadelphia coach Andy Reid said he has studied that tape.
"They challenged Marshall through the line of scrimmage and banged him when he flexed out," Reid said.
Before anyone can lay a hit on Westbrook, a defense has to locate him first. He'll line up at running back, in the slot or at wide-out, a multi-dimensional threat who can score from anywhere on the field.
"It will be important for us to know where he is at," linebacker Mike Vrabel said. "He has the ability to turn a 5-yard gain into a 35-yard gain in a hurry, just by making one guy miss a tackle that you think is a sure tackle."
More progress for T.O.
Terrell Owens logged in about 12 to 15 plays in practice, increasing his chances of returning Sunday. The Eagles' Pro Bowl receiver has repeatedly insisted he will play Sunday after missing the past four games.
"T.O. got some work. He did good with it," Reid said. "We gave him a little more work than we gave him the last couple of days, and we'll give him more tomorrow. He's making progress. We'll see."
Owens is listed as questionable on the injury report. Only Washington's Art Monk and Philadelphia's Charlie Smith have caught passes in the Super Bowl after being sidelined all of the previous playoff games.
Seymour cleared to play
New England defensive end Richard Seymour participated in his first full practice in six weeks, wearing a brace to protect his sprained left knee.
"He did everything we asked him to do, so he's good to go," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said.
