Sup playa I use the Eagles as well. I'm no Madden vet, but I do ok.
Westbrook is a lil dude so don't expect him to break a crazy amount of tackles. He still breaks a decent amount though.
But if you want to run with him, don't run into brick walls. You're going to have to hit the holes hard and fast...If you can get some running room with Westbrook, he's lethal with that speed and elusiveness. If you can find a hole and shake a linebacker, break out to the outside towards the sidelines, then head up field...You'll burn pretty much anyone.
He's best for the short passes though, like you said. Play action, screens, flank passes, etc...If you can easily throw a short pass to him in the open field (Where he's most deadly), why start him from the backfield?
I've always played Madden, but this is the first Madden I actually got into, so don't take my advice as gold:
I like to use the Run n Gun playbook for the Full House formation. I run all my plays from there and Gun.
In Full House you'll have Westbrook behind the QB, and the FB and TE to the right and left. Send Westbrook on Slant and Out-routes every play...Mix it up with some routes right up the gut = 5+ yards every Westbrook pass.
Oh yeah...Westbrook's spin is beast...I think it's like 98 or something. You can hit like 3 defenders off with that thing easy. When running with him, use the spin and quick jukes...That's all you need.
Dude is top 5 HB's in this game.
Subject: need help with brian westbrook