Eagles release Westbrook
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Eagles release Westbrook
Les Bowen and Daily News staff
UPDATED: with Reid press conference
The Eagles have released running back Brian Westbrook.
The move does not come as a surprise. Westbrook was owed a salary of $7.25 million next season.
Westbrook's agent, Todd France, could not be reached for comment.
Reaction is coming in quickly. In a text message, former Eagle Brian Dawkins said Westbrook is "truly everything you want in a teammate and friend. He's a one of a kind player for the Eagles. An all-time great!!! A leader on and off the field."
During a news conference, coach Andy Reid called it a "tough day for the Philadelphia Eagles" and "not an easy thing to do, for us or for Brian."
Reid said he told Westbrook the team was "going in a different direction."
The timing of the release was to "allow Brian an opportunity to hook on with another football team, if he chooses to do that."
Reid said Westbrook did not give him any indication as to whether he intends to keep playing, but "I think he might like to do that."
Reid also declined to say whether Westbrook was given opp to rework deal, and stay with the team at a lower salary.
The team also issued statements from Reid, owner Jeffrey Lurie and team president Joe Banner:
Reid: "Brian is one of the greatest Eagles of all time and he is even a better person and leader. In my mind, there has not been a more versatile running back that the NFL has seen. I had a conversation with Brian this morning to let him know. This is by far the most difficult part of this job. We wanted to make this move now in order to maximize Brian's chances of landing with another NFL team."
Lurie: "Brian Westbrook is one of the most electric players in the history of this franchise and is certainly also one of the most popular. He was personally one of the my favorite players to watch each and every Sunday and his playmaking abilities, leadership and values will be missed."
Banner: "We all know how valuable Brian was as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles and he will certainly go down as one of the greatest Eagles of all time. But what really showed me how special a person Brian is, was watching the way he interacted with my children. That said more to me about Brian than anything else he could have done on the playing field. We will miss him both as a person and as a player."
He missed eight games last season, suffered two concussions and posted his lowest totals since his rookie year.
Despite reports that he was considering retirement, Westbrook has indicated that he wants to continue playing. How much interest there will be in him is a question.
Westbrook suffered a concussion Oct. 26 against Washington when his head collided with London Fletcher's knee. He lost consciousness on the field before eventually getting up and walking off. He sat out three games and returned against San Diego, but suffered a second concussion. He was sidelined until the final two games of the regular season and then touched the ball just once - a 27-yard screen pass - in the playoff loss to Dallas.
Westbrook was drafted out of Villanova and played eight seasons with the Eagles. He gained 5,995 yards on 1,308 carries (4.6 average). He scored 37 touchdowns rushing. He caught 426 passes for 3,790 yards and 29 touchdowns receiving.
Westbrook is second all-time in Eagles history in rushing behind Wilbert Montgomery (6,538 yards). He also owns two of the top single rushing seasons in team history with 1,333 yards in 2007 (fourth) and 1,217 in 2006 (eighth).
He is third in rushing touchdowns with 37, behind Steve Van Buren (69) and Montgomery (45) and third in attempts behind Montgomery (1,465) and Van Buren (1,320).
More to come ...
Comments (128)
great article— Hollerin187- This was inevitable just like LT being released.— Tough* Juice*
Sad to see him go but it seemed inevitable. Thanks for all the memories Bwest— Mabus- COME ON LT!!!!!— jcw229
Comment removed.- Thanks for 8 great years, Westy. Sorry we coldn't win a Lombardi with you.— wondo40
- Thanks for everything Brian... Now resign Wever.— USAFruss
- Bwes was great! Thanks for the memories! Same to McNabb! Let's get Thomas Jones when he is released!— bleedinggreen
What a sad day....— birds748- Ummm... damn. Sorry to see Westbrook go. As so often with him, he got injured at exactly the wrong time.
- When healthy, one of the greatest Eagles ever.
You were one of the best Eagles ever, Brian! Good luck to you.— Leegles- Good luck Brian. Take care of yourself.— maine_mariner
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- Great move if they want to win going forward. He was a great player though, when healthy! keep in mind that the healthy BWest is gone for good.— SlinkTMP
- The all time leader in total yards from scrimmage in Eagles history will be sorely missed. Hope he can resign here for another year after testing the market, with a low-risk, high reward contract, that both player and team can live with. Westbrook was the Eagles MVP this decade, and he is a true leader.— arrowamy
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- great, great eagle... but no way we could afford his salary considering the staggering decline in production. and i fear for his long term health. he should retire while he can still think clearly...— eaglestuckinbigD
- God, if they drop Westbrook and pick up LT I may have to take Reid and Lurie out with piano wire.
- and howie roseman smiles...— snakeplissken
- Sad Day in Philly :(— jmcginle
- Brian is the all-time Eagles leader in total yards from scrimmage. Pretty amazing, considering the injuries. He was the complete player, great runner, blocker, receiver, protected the ball, and a true leader. I'm hoping he comes back as a backup after testing the market.— arrowamy
- You will be missed Brian Westbrook. Please, for your health and safety make the right decision about playing again. You have enough money so if this is all about family, do the right thing.
- Yes, the right move, but a sad day nonetheless.— tomfox
- good luck westy. you will be missed!! but alas, a necessary move for the team going forward. i just wish he'd retire and become like a quality control assistant or something. keep him around the team to tudor shady. let's go get CHESTER TAYLOR!!— thomaspfoolery
- Thanks for the many, many memories Brian. For too many years you WERE the Eagles offense and you helped turned this franchise from a perennial loser to a perennial winner. You are one of the five greatest Eagles to ever were the uniform and I'm grateful for having been able to watch you play. Nothing but love, and wish you all the best in whatever you decide to do. In the word's of the late, great Harry Kalas......Brian Westbrook, you were "The Man".— flyerdup
- i would have liked maybe the igg's to hook him up with a "new" contract to at least hook him up with a little cash on the way out for the way this guy played for this organization. Tough move, but probably the right one.— xlGmanlx
- window is closed...lets get rid of mcnabb and get on with it!— bmacc
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- Understandable move, financially. But a tough one nonetheless. 2nd greatest Eagle back of all time, behind Wilbert. (Not to disrespect Van Buren, who I never saw play.)— eagle1971
- This is a sad day indeed. Brian embodied only the most positive character traits. He played with so much heart and deflected praise to the teammates around him. B-WEST! You will be deeply missed throughout next season, but remembered for a lifetime of all true Eagles fans.— Pantaphobia
- The Eagles are smart when it comes to releasing fan favorite players. Even though we love them the Eagles understand the decline of the players like Trotter and others. Thank you Westbrook for all the great and exciting years you gave us. I will still wear your 36 jersey on football sundays.— Philly418
- After Wilbur, Brian is the second best running back the Eagles ever had...THANK YOU BRIAN...— nuggett
- B-West and AI all in the same week! Too much to handle!! I don't know why some of you think this is not a good move. It's time...it just is. McCoy will do well. He had one of the best if not the best season as a rookie runner in our entire teams history. On a side note, I do hope they trade Don. Good player, but I'm ready for Kolb. I bet some of the reporters will ask some McNabb questions to write the same McNabb stories we've been reading for weeks now! Please keep it about B-West reporters!!!!!!— sima_down_nah
- this organization is a joke,talk about using up a player in every way possible and then dumping using that pathetic exuse,the eagles are a classless organization from lurie on down.— soliteryman
- Sad, but that's business. He deserves a ring for what Reid put him through...so does McNabb. They were the entire offense for years....everyone else stood around and did nothing. If he had someone to help him out in the backfield, who knows.......— philly449
- bWest - thanks for the great games, now take that puddin head and retire so when we see you on TV u are not shaking like Ali.— igglesphan724
- Get rid of McNabb too..... You need so much for next year. Trade 5 and draft some players on defense.....Dallas is getting better...
- This had to be done, love him though, will continue to wear his jersey.— nmr82
- I thank whatever foresight I had in recording the Iggles games since 1987. I would have felt very cheated if I couldn't go back and look at some of the tremendous games this man had for us. A sad, but necessary day in Iggles history. Hope the money lasts, and all the best to a WINNER.— TBear
- I still remember how happy I was when the Eagles made the pick to draft Westbrook. I never imagined how much he would go on to mean to this team and this city. Great back and great person.— misteripi
A pro all the way. Kept the business aspect of the game out of the papers and gave everything he had on the field. Class all the way. Can't ask for more.— tpizza- 499, CT lookin' better right now?— tpizza
- I am not a true EAGLE FAN BUT LIVING IN pa. I watch them alot on the tube.Brian you did more than your share for the Eagles blue skys always. Plus if you are healthy sign with the Bears.— bobdiz
- Thank God--he was a Giant killer.— BigBlue18640
- Cheap? Why? The Eagles need production from their players if we really want to win going forward. When your car starts to act up and not work everyday, you might take the bus for a while. But if you fix it over and over again and it still is not working, should you still keep it because of the sentimental value? Should you continue to shell out money for a product that does not do what you wanted it to do because it was a great product once? No. You get rid of it by selling it to someone else willing to see if they can get it to run reliably, or you send it to the junk yard. trust me, Brian is not going to a junk yard and he will have a job either on the field or with a team in some respect. I will always see him returning that kick against the Giants in my mind, but this is the right move. Thanks Brian and good luck with the future.— SlinkTMP
- What are the eagles going to do to get better? Or does Reid and Banner still think this roster can rival anyone?— 46 and 2
- It looks as if there will not be a salary cap next season, however, that doesnt mean you spend all the money you have to sign players and resign the players you have because eventually there will be a salary cap and you still need to prepare to be under that cap.— Bthuff80
- He's not a smashmouth back, so he should sign with a team that uses the backs as a decoy or passes to them often. Not an eagles fan, but def a great player. I don't want to see another player carried off on a stretcher, or someone that just wouldn't leave (Favre) and can barely move on their own after its over. Live continues after football, hope he makes the best choice for him.— flcelebrity
- jwad Dumb comment. No team in the NFL pays Westbrook that salary or anything close. Plus, he can't stay on the field. Everyone loves him but he is done I think he will retire— mcat13
- Damn. Good luck Bwest!— ssaun
- So I bought my daughter a Dawkins jersey and the following year, they let him go to the broncos. last year before the season, I decided to buy her a Westbrook jersey.... I am going to stop buying jerseys!— Clem
- No salary cap...I guess they should just sign everyone for $100 million each then because there's no salary cap. They actually have to pay this money to players, it's not monopoly money. You don't pay a back-up running back (and that's what he would be this season) $7.5 million per year. It's time to move on. B-West will be missed though. He really was an exciting player to watch and really did a lot of this team over the years. Hope he finds another team and can stay healthy and have a decent season. I guess my Westbrook jersey officially becomes a "throwback" jersey now.— JimG
- Classy player and person. I wish him all the best.— klschs
- Sorry to see him go, but the Eagles have the history of dropping older players....it was great watching him in Eagle green, good luck Bwest!— Bleue
- An all time great...thanks B West!!!!— EGLSFAN
- A CLASS ACT.... BWEST 36 !!! All the best to you in your future. Thanks for all the wonderful memories and exciting playmaking. You are going to be missed on and off the field. Maybe the birds will find a spot for him in the organization, when he retires. Let's hope so.— mikedi08
- Sorry to see you go BW. You had more heart for winning than your quarterback. Good luck, and I wish you the best.— oldhat
- Brian was the only reason I watched the Eagles. He was the best! Now I can really cheer for the Cowboys to whip their butts again next year!— nuffera
- Man, not seeing #36 on Sundays will be hard. OK sign Weaver and get defensive help and quick!— bossrjc
- SouthPhillyRob You cut McNabb...10-15 teams make a play for him. He gets one more mega deal. You cut Westbrook and no one will touch him and he might retire. I love Westbrook too, but they can not hold on to him. Dawkins is a different story. He could still play at a high level— mcat13
- Except for John Riggins, no RB ever had his best season over 30. You can't pay these guys that much money on what they once were. Westbrook earned every penny.— hawk18
- Hopefully, Pittsburgh will pick hik up so he can get a ring just like Duce Staley did.— dillydilly
- ANOTHER NO GOOD nOVA PLAYA GOES BYE BYE !!!! DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YA !!!— Hawks2004
- "pick him up"— dillydilly
- Inevitable or or not I am still sad that Westbrook is gone! Thanks for the memories and best wishes to you!— WhatNow
- Eagles are not always cheap, and make many good moves. On this one, you gotta say cheap. Yeah, he makes a big salary this year. Yeah, he might be second string. Now, name a guy in the league who could spell or replace McCoy who is half the receiver or pass protector Westbrook is? Heck, he's way better than McCoy on those two points. At some point you have to tell a player it's over. Shoulda been next year.— tacklinjoe
- 1,333 yards in 2007 and released in 2010...what a tough game. Feel like it was yesterday that he returned that punt against the Giants late in the game. Always felt Reid did not use him enough in the Super Bowl. Best player on team but allowed T. Owens to come in steal his thunder a little, shows you what type of guy he is...Good Luck B-West!!!— cvtrav
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- Today, 2/23/10 a date which will live in Infamy.— neddyflanders
- see ya, BWest, and take all those super bowl rings you and BDawk brought to us with ya...— fishthing
- R.I.P. --> B-Dawk— general ripper
Great player...Even better human being. Good luck Brian, wherever you go.- Comment removed.
- your still a good back brook,just not here in Philly...good luck !!— phillyfanyo
- It sucks to see BWest go, and it would be awesome if he could stay with the organization in some capacity, but with his concussions, I think it is time to call it quits. It must be a difficult decision to do as a coach and owner to let a player go, but I cannot imagine how hard it is as a player to realize that your concussions are catching up with you. With the entire Lindros saga, we know about sports-related concussions in Philadelphia. I hope BWest has the strength to get through this time and find a future (hopefully in Philly) where he can feel productive, and relish the amazing moments he provided on the field for his fans.— gfstallin
- jwad, you're an idiot. how can you pay $7 mil to a guy who has trouble staying on the field?— beegal99
- If George Allen was still coaching, he would pick up Westbrook and LaDanian Tomlinson since they're not too old for him!— NE_Philly_Guy
- B-West...between you and Dawk, you guys were GREAT EAGLES Players! You will truly be missed. We wish we could have had you on the team winning a Lombardi trophy but your boy McSlab let us all down! Hopefully, like LT, you can jump on another team and be The Man for them, the way you were for us! Good luck!
- JWAD.... quit being negative, they cut him which frees money and most importantly a roster spot for a durable, younger more productive running back. It's not hard to draft a back that will rush for 500+ yards to give McCoy a breather. Westie should retire while he can still walk and isn't eating thru a straw. Thanks for the memories.— bobf876
That ba-lows - but ya knew it was going to happen. My favorite Eagle. Good luck Brian.— Richard Saunders- Great blitz blocker, great screen receiver, and all around team guy! Resign Weaver, Advant, and get another downhill runner who can get Third and One!— Sharpy24
- Yesh, BWest was an all time great Eagle. There will be no signing of a RB in free agency because we dont need a 30 year old RB...we need fresh blood for next year. This team is young and only going to get better, this was a hard decision but one that needed to be made. As for everyone wanting to get rid of McNabb...forget about it. He will be under center come training camp.— traugdog420
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- The best play I ever seen was that scamper off the sump-off pass against Tampa Bay a few yrs back. Remember that? That was amazing even though we lost the game when their kicker (carney I think) hit that 63-yd fg to win the game. The play Westbrook had was THE best play ever!!!— XmarksTheSpot
- BOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! But ya saw it coming. My favorite Eagle. Good luck Brian.— Richard Saunders
We all knew this was coming. Seeing actually in print is still shocking. Good Luck to one of our all time greats in Philly!! I really hope that he does not attempt to still play.- Multiple, severe concussions and still wants to play? It's a great way to shorten your lifespan.— xxx
- No Superbowl = Career Failure— BHite15
Provided many enjoyable moments and memories...wish him the best in whatever endeavor he undertakes.— dogman5- Cheap? Just because there is no salary cap, doesn't mean you want to make unwise decisions. How about the next time you go out to eat, buy an extra entree for yourself after you finish your meal since you can afford it. Makes sense right? no? Cheap?— penncrow19
- He did lack explosiveness even before the concussion. It seemed like last year guys were catching him whne they used to miss. Football is a brutal remorseless sport. Done at 30, watch New England pick him up— notch44
Westbrook will be glad to be getting away from McNabb.- Thanks Brian, it was a great run. Think long and hard about continuing to play, there are so many former NFL players who have problems due to concussions later in life. Villanova might need a great assistant coach. What is next on McNabb?— vc bear
- Thanks Brian, it was a great run. Think long and hard about continuing to play, there are so many former NFL players who have problems due to concussions later in life. Villanova might need a great assistant coach. What is next on McNabb?— vc bear
- Thanks for all the memories Brian. We'll miss you. Good luck to you.— barefoot
- Would have been good for a 3rd down role. The 27 yd. screen is an example. However, 7 mil. for a 3rd down back is not smart.— pyleiton
- Goes to show - it's just a business...never complain about a football player going for all the guaranteed money. This move was purely financial. Banner and Laurie should just fess up and tell the dang truth.— Hollywood Junkie
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- Westbrook will go down as one of the greatest ever to wear the Eagle jersey. Sad day, but inevitable. It had to end sometime. God Speed Brian.— RichieI
- A different direction would be having Banner call Reid and send Reid packing.— jimmyeagles
- Eagles "going in a different direction." No kidding, right to the bottom.
- Thanks for giving your all on every down bwest. Very classy Guy. Please retire.— brightmoments99
- Thanks for the memories Westbrook...you will be missed! I'm sure we'll see you in another uniform this upcoming season. Good luck!— ajcash
- The end of an era. Greatest Eagle backs: Van Buren, Montgomery, Westbrook. Maybe not necessarily in that order. Thanks for some great memories B-West! If you retire, hope to see you around the Philly area doing great things off the field as well!— BMan
- I'm just sorry we couldn't get a SB with Westbrook or Dawkins. I hope he finds a team and win what we can't seem to achieve.— CapitanesFua
- Andy Reid should have been released.— PhillyIam
- I wish Banner would just shut his filthy mouth.— snakeplissken
- Time for Shady. Start to earn your money. No more dancing into the holes.— philadelphiachild51
- The writing was on the wall but I'm very sad to see Brian go. He is one of my favorite football players ever. Like many of us, I've followed him since his days at Villanova. Wishing him all the best and cheers to a great career as an Eagle.— yadad
- I am proud of his accomplishments. The shelf life of a Pro Football player is very short. Good Luck B West!!— MezikeB
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- Clem ... buy a Reggie Brown jersey, wouldya?— raoool
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- Westbrook stunk for the last two years.This team and franchise are in the same class as the Sixers and Flyers. Second rate and total pretenders/losers. Keep drinking that green Kool aide Eagle fans !!!Go PHILLIES !!!!!!!!!!!!— soprano50
Please show McNabb the door next. Give Kolb the keys. Better a year too soon than a year too late. No reason for optimism with #5.- Yawn....the guy is forgotten already. Just another Eagle who never won the big one.— 49yrsnotitle
- jcw..great idea. cut one old player, to resign another? and Jwad. I dont like to see my team waste money on someone who cant do his job anymore. kind of like working for gm....— crohnkiller
- from a redskins fan, congrats to westbrook on a great eagle career.— michael57
- Football is not a game, It is a business. that is life in the big leagues and I don't care what line of work your are in, or what kind of relationship you are in when you are not of service any longer you are out the door.— dcstan
Brian was a class act. I hope he has good council on his jelly bucket(head). Andy and a different direction? WTF is he on? By the way, that sound you hear is the window slamming. You should know by now.
Westbrook may have been the greatest Eagle of all time, certainly in the past half century. Bone head Reid should have used Westbrook more in his first couple of seasons.- Is there anyone else out there in "Inquirer Land" that is sick and tired- let me repeat that-- sick and oh so tired of hearing from this fat-head. Year after year after year we hear the same Bull from this guy. When, oh when will it end? He stinks. If a man cannot even manage/coach his family-- with two drug addicted white thugs, how can we expect anymore from him with respect to the Eagles. It's time he go and take McNabb and Vick with him.— pajamas
"Reid said he told Westbrook the team was "going in a different direction."" So this means they're going to be a pass centric team now? Oh wait...- Comment removed.
- Andy Reid is becoming a softie. Where is your aggression? How are you making our team better? TALK DAMNIT!— illadelph21stcentury
- Good luck Brian. Thank you for carrying our offense for so many years.— GreenGirl20
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