Westbrook: McNabb 'very underappreciated'
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Westbrook: McNabb 'very underappreciated'
Les Bowen and Daily News staff
A few Eagles related notes from around the league and Day 2 at the Scouting Combine (and you would know much of this already if you followed Les on Twitter) ...
* Brian Westbrook continued his run of interviews following the announcement of his impending release from the Eagles. Westbrook was asked by ESPN 1000 in Donovan McNabb's hometown of Chicago if he would be shocked if McNabb followed him out of Philadelphia.
"It wouldn't shock me at all if he got traded or released," Westbrook said. "I know that he is very unappreciated in Philadelphia. ... He's definitely unappreciated for the things that he does and the things that he brings to Philadelphia.
"I think Donovan brings so much to a football team: leadership; a high quality of play. You can't replace that easily. I definitely can't see him leaving there, but at the same time, it's going to become a money thing at some point."
Westbrook also said that he realizes he is not going to carry the ball 30 times a game and will have to share the load wherever he lands. He also again reiterated that he is not planning to retire.
"I would love to play in Chicago," he said, "I would love to play anywhere."
* If you were looking for Eagles to add linebacker Gary Brackett in free agency, I think you're going to be disappointed. Looks like he's re-signng in Indy.
* Howie Roseman and Joe Banner lunching today with agents Peter Schaffer and J.R Rickert. Let's get some good free agent rumors started.
* NFLPA boss DeMaurice Smith gave the agents a prepare-for-war talk today in Indy. Union reiterating its view that owners are preparing for a lockout.
* According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, San Diego will not tender running back Darren Sproles and will allow him to test the free-agent market.
* The Vikings say they want to re-sign running back Chester Taylor, whose name is being talked about by Eagles fans, and they are scheduled to meet with Taylor's agent Ken Sarnoff, at the scouting combine this week, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "We plan on talking to Chester’s guy and seeing where he’s at and then we’ll just go on from there," Vikings VP of player personnel Rick Spielman said. "I don’t know where the market is going because it’s a whole new deal this year and I don’t know what other teams are going to do. If there’s going to be lavish spending, if there’s not. Like I said, it’s an unknown. But I know Chester is one of those guys that we would definitely want to try to sign back if we can." The report also indicates that the Vikings could have interest in Brian Westbrook if they do not re-sign Taylor.
To read our earlier post about Michael Vick, click here.
Looks like alot of teams underappreciate #5 too - as it looks like no one wants him for more than a steak and a beer.— AllDawk_AllTheTime
Comment removed.- Chester Taylor....I like it.— mrgjf45
- LOL @ under-appreciated. Good God...— Jerome99RIP
- Spielman must not have gotten the memo, this year's offseason is to be referred to "uncharted waters"— The Reddgie
- Brian you will be sorely missed and I totally agree with your coments about Donovan. People tend to forget his role in keeping the Eagles on top instead of being bottom feeders.— hrlevine
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- Westbrook is right.— ChrisM
- Everyone around the league: players, coaches, GMs and fans think highly of Donovan. The only people who don't are few fans in Philly that like to shout louder than everybody else— flyer77
- It was just a matter of time before Westbrook starting throwing the organization under the bus. It will get worse as time goes on and he is further distanced from the organization. I remember the last time that the football players went on strike on Gene Upshaw's watch. Scabs played games and soon the ranks broke and NFL players came runing back for the money. I don't see much changing this time and the owners hold the cards. Same old and song and dance my friends.— rockinrob
- pretty clear from his comments that westbrook is still feeling the effects of those concussions— jazztafari
- Wow, the Chargers will let Darren Sproles test the free agent market? Should be five or ten teams looking at him. Talk about a guy who could add some TDs and wins. Redskins? Cardinals? Niners? Texans? Eagles could do great things with him, but unlike Eldra Buckley he can't go downfield on special teams and hit people. And we have returners. Do the Chargers have a 3rd good back I don't know about?— tacklinjoe
- I appreciate McNabb - I appreciated the air guitar, dancing on sidelines, weird faces.— psu05
- Underthow wide open receivers for 10+ years as a starting QB and you too, can end up underappreciated!— Mark1npt
