You Talkin' to Me? With Westbrook, 49ers won't strike gold

From: Fox, Ashley

To: Gonzalez, John, Fitzpatrick, Frank

Re: B-West

On Monday, Brian Westbrook signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers worth a reported $1.25 million in guaranteed money, plus another $1.25 million in performance-based incentives and a roster bonus. This after the Eagles released their former workhorse following a season in which Westbrook played in only eight games and suffered two concussions.

After all he did here, it's going to be tough to see No. 36 in a No. 20 Niners jersey. But in February, Westbrook had knee surgery and in June he had surgery to clean up bone spurs in his ankle. He will be 31 by the time the season starts. Just what do you think the 49ers are getting?

From: Fitzpatrick, Frank

To: Fox, Ashley; Gonzalez, John

Re: B-West

Damaged goods and a $1.25 million tax write-off. In fact, much the same as the Inky got when we signed Gonzo as a special-teamer.

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Fox, Ashley; Fitzpatrick, Frank

Re: B-West

It'll be odd to see him in a Niners jersey for sure. Same as seeing McNabb in a Redskins jersey or Dawkins in Broncos gear. Everything comes to an end - except for Talkin', it seems.

I don't think San Fran is getting much. Westbrook was a great player once but he hasn't looked like himself for a while now. That's a shame. If he can play here and there and be the change-of-pace back they hope to complement Frank Gore, it'll be a nice move for both Westbrook and the team. I'm just not sure how much he can contribute at this point given the injury history.

From: Fox, Ashley

To: Gonzalez, John; Fitzpatrick, Frank

Re: B-West

I hope he knows what he's doing and isn't just grasping at the end-of-career straw. By all accounts, Westbrook had two rather jarring concussions. I don't want to hear in five years about him forgetting his mom's phone number or having these monster headaches. He had a fantastic career. There's no need to risk his health for one more shot at glory with a team that isn't exactly a Super Bowl contender.

From: Gonzalez, John

To: Fox, Ashley; Fitzpatrick, Frank

Re: B-West

I also have a well-documented injury history - mostly from blows to the brain.

From: Fitzpatrick, Frank

To: Fox, Ashley; Gonzalez, John

Re: B-West

They must've been well-aimed blows.