Westbrook can be free agent after next season
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Westbrook can be free agent after next season
Daily News staff
Nothing like a slow early season Tuesday in Eagles land. Along with Shawn Andrews' move to injured reserve, Michael Vick's addition to the active roster and Hank Baskett's release comes this ...
ESPN.com is reporting that an option in Brian Westbrook's contract has been declined by the team and that the running back can now become a free agent after the 2010 season. An Eagles executive confirmed the report to the Daily News' Paul Domowitch.
Citing sources, the report said Westbrook, who would turn 32 just before the 2011 season, was to be due a $7 million option for 2010, but the option was not excercised, according to a revision of the contract. His deal gave the team the right to extend the deal to 2013.
The executive said both Westbrook and agent Todd France understood that this probably was money he was never going to see, and that he would become a free agent after 2010. France has not returned message from the Daily News.
According to the report, Westbrook's base salary increased from $4 million to $5.85 million this season and goes to $7.25 million next season. His cap numbers increase to $13.25 million in 2009 and $10.59 million in 2010.
Westbrook signed a complicated 5-year, $32 mllion extension last August after protracted negotiations and a change in agent to France. The deal was 52 pages of addendeums, the parties said at the time.
Before the deal, Westbrook was due to make about $9 million over 2008 and 2009 non-guaranteed. The extension guaranteed $13 million in that period, a source close to the situation told the Daily News at the time. He should make about $21 million over the next 3 years, and could make as much as $24 million, the source said. The deal included three extra seasons at prohibitively high numbers, the source said, though Joe Banner had indicated the first extra year might actually be used.
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WHAT ANDY SAID, WHAT ANDY MEANT
This is usually a staple of Monday afternoons here on Eagletarian, but in light of all the news, we have not had a chance to post it.
On whether you’ve had any previous experiences with a quarterback who’s played with a broken rib:
What Andy said: ``I have. But it was later in the year. Rib injuries are all different. They’re hard to compare. This one is displaced a little bit and pretty painful. I know other guys that have played with broken ribs. We’ve just got to see.’’
What Andy meant: ``Well, Favre played with a broken rib once when I was with the Packers. But that was back in his Vicodin days when he was sucking down those babies like they were Tic Tacs. He would’ve played with a gunshot wound to the chest back then.’’
On whether he thought the hit on McNabb by Panthers defensive tackle Damione Lewis was a cheap shot:
What Andy said: ``I can’t say anything on that. You get those big guys with that 300-plus pounds motoring, it’s a little hard to stop. Sometimes they come in a little bit late.’’
What Andy meant: ``I’m gonna give him a pass. As a longtime fat guy, it’s easier getting a cruise liner to make a sudden stop. I almost killed our dog once when he bolted in front of me during a midnight-snack run to the fridge.’’
On how Winston Justice has managed to bounce back from his ``Nightmare At the Meadowlands’’ experience in 2007:
What Andy said: ``I put him in a bad situation that game. We were on the road. He’s going against an All-Pro player. I should’ve given him help. I put him out there on an island by himself. He was playing left tackle. The tight end was on the right side the majority of the game. That was a short corner and I shouldn’t have put him in that situation. And we used a silent count up there and he wasn’t as familiar with that.’’
What Andy meant: ``Clearly not one of my better coaching moments.’’
On the number of missed tackles by the defense vs. Carolina:
What Andy said: ``One thing we need to go back and work on, we had too many missed tackles early and late. We tackled well in second and third (quarters). The first and fourth we missed some tackles we should’ve made.’’
What Andy meant: ``Asante Samuel continues to have trouble with the concept of using his arms as a tackling aid.’’
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To read our report on today's other developements, click here.
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keep westbrook hungry. i dont see anything wrong with this.
Probably the right call considering how quickly running backs go from elite to mediocre.— duuuuude- Shady looks like a great replacement. See ya, B-Dub.— Jerome99RIP
His knees and ankles will be shot by then anyway...Mr McCoy you are needed in the Head coache's office.— citysims- Sounds about right.The goal is to get younger and cheaper— stupidgurl
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- DonovanwillwintheSB, you dim whitted one are a tool! WTF makes you make such a comment when this guy is a producer! Not to mention he has much respect from players and fans alike who actually know something about the game! Beat it fader!— BADMOTHERUPPER
- the business side of NFL football is brutal. It's the most profitable sport, yet no guarentees. Something should be done.— daoust555
- If Westbrook is still a productive back in two years, and the Eagles want him, they will be able to sign him. No one is irreplaceable in the NFL. Every team must constantly find and draft new players that are as good or better than today's stars.— citizenkane
- Westbrook is an exceptional football player, but an average running back at best. He doesn't know how to run between the tackles unless he has a good blocker (his breakout year was when we had Richie blocking for him. When Richie got hurt, his production dropped). When he catches a screen pass in the open field, he's dangerous and exciting. When he's handed the ball, he dances around too much and doesn't hit the hole and is tackled for a loss. And when he does run the ball, he gets hurt. We all know he's not a big back. I'm wondering if one of the reasons why Reid doesn't run the ball much was to protect Westbrook. Imagine how many more injuries he'd have if Reid actually ran it as much as everyone wanted him to! This is a good move by the Eagles. Defenses caught on to how we use Westbrook.— awl
- daoust555 - the fact that there are no guarantees is what makes this sport so good. Take a look at what guarantees have done for Basketball and Baseball. I love Westbrook as an Eagle, but there is no denying he will be in serious decline after next year.— misteripi
- Umm, daoust? He made 13 Million in '08 and '09. Don't get me wrong, I am a big BWest fan. But, I am thinking the players are doing OK and your concern might be better place elsewhere.
this should surprise no one.— dpcoz
I hope the end is on friendly terms whenever it does come for Westbrook as an Eagle. He's one of their all-time greats.— burholme- sorry to say but I agree that Westbrook is not consistent enough and RB's die hard... Im thinking they may need to pay sheldon brown if he plays like this every game— maximus
- The eagles have been right almost every time they have come to this situation. Vincent, Taylor, Dawkins, Trotter, Jones, etc etc etc etc. They know Westbrook is almost done even if he (and we) don't.— MBFlyerfan
- This isn't news....teams always sign guys to these longer term deals so that they can spread out the signing bonus over the length of the deal and give themselves some salary cap relief. Nobody expects the players to finish out these sort of deals. As long as you guys have been covering football, you should have figured this out by now.— JimG
- None of the moves today should surprise anyone...— Grazman
- he is 30 ! 30 is the new 40 for R.B > FLY BIRDS FLY— socalbirdsfan
- Some of u are crazy.If Bwest played for a Coach who actually wanted to run the ball his numbers would be even better than they are now.Lets not 4get how he is an excellent BLOCKER..which he has 2do alot of under Andy..that has an effect on your body too chipn 300lb lineman and takin them on str8 up. Remember a good back is judged on yards per carry n Bwest'stays between 4 n 5 where it should be..its not his fault Andy pass' 70percent of the time— big worm
- "You may hate me B-West, but it ain't no lie- Bye Bye Bye"— BananaHammock
- This is not really even newsworthy. An undersized back with his injury history going into 2010 at 32. I'll be surprised if he gets through next year with the Eagles. It's a matter of when and not if he gets hurt this side of 30, with his history. But for those haters, he was the Eagles best producer during his prime so I can't say anything bad about him.— Bill R4
- ummm hey dude,,,are you singing the back street boys.with a name like bananahamock that doesnt suprise me.Do you hang at Woodys.Does your pinky fling up when you drink tea..Yea i thought so.— stupidgurl
- maximus, don't wait for them to pay Sheldon Brown. He could lead the league in interceptions, tackles, picks returned for TDs, it wouldn't matter. They locked him up when he was young so they wouldn't have to pay (comparatively) big bucks later. Banner and Reid said they offered Dawk a contract commensurate with starting safeties his age in the NFL. Considering Dawk is about the only starting safety his age in the league, that contract could have been worth a dollar.— mike l
- Not showing Westbrook any love in Philly. Maybe he won't put out that extra effort this weekend. Couldn't blame him! Saints 34 eagles 20— Divination
- did anyone notice the team huddle on the sidelines sunday? Westbrook was in the middle of it giving the pep talk, mcnanny was on the outrside of the huddle looking in. Now we know who the leader of this team is— verse_321
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- so he gives us 2 more seasons here. If we don't win in the next two seasons the team will need a makeover anyway.— TheMan
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- I dont see how any true eagles fan could not like bwest.It doesnt make any sense.— stupidgurl
- This year and next year will be McCoy's time to train to be the next Westbrook. No need to overpay a 32 year old running back when we'll have a younger, fresher version of him.— SteveS11
- Time waits for no one. Get it while you can. We are the Champions? See you in September?— bigphillydad
- The huge difference between the Phillies and the Eagles (other than winning the championship) is that one organization has loyalty to its players and the other has absolutely none. Without Dawkins, Westbrook and if some get their wish, McNabb, the heart and soul of the Eagles will be gone— mrsmax
- My God you guys saying Westbrook is soft are morons. He one of the best backs in Eagle history who plays his heart out. You people need a brain transplant or you should just go root for the Giants.— Phillyexp
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- Already posted to IgglesBlog last week. get with the times.— libertyof76
- Donovanwillwinthesb..numbers dont lie homie. We went on that run last year because we finally ran the ball and were more balanced than ever.Every1 said it.Who was doin the runing?Bwest stupid!!Some1 above said it too how he won several games by himself.His value is not even debatable.Get a tv..since u dont seem to watch the games u dhead!!!— big worm
- Thank you Brian, again. If Trotter hadn't gone to the Redskins, you wouldn't have dislocated that elbow, and we'd have that Super Bowl. I hope you have many great years left. Thank you.— hallux
- Back to that "two years to win the SuperBowl" presser. Joe Banner and Lurie are going to close the window after 2010. Reid, McNabb and Westy are all up. We have two more years to enjoy the Best Football this town has seen since the 40's. It's Championships or bust for Lurie, that's why he bought the team. I still remember what he said at Andy Reids introduction press conference..."Not just one, but, many championships to the city. I think his patience has run out...— eagledon
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- Funny— TDW 21
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- True Dierte, the NFLPA contract is up after 2010. Teams are going to wait on signing aging vets, regardless of how much gas is left in their tank. Westbrook makes the team better, just ask Justice.— Joe Funk
Better to release a player a year too early than a year too late. Westbrook has been great for this franchise for a number of years.— bigcityballer- that's how football is. so westbrook will be overpaid for the next 2 seasons and will underproduce. he will be complimented by shady so it's no big deal. earlier in westy's career his performance far outweighed his pay. it all evens out.— philly57
- are you westbrook haters on CRACK?? he's been the best player in our offense since 2004, BY FAR! yes, more important than Donovan, more important than TO (when he was here)... All this talk, now resurfacing, about how well Garcia played when he replaced McNabb a couple of years ago - the thing is Garcia didn't replace McNabb, WESTBROOK DID!! They stopped throwing 70% of the time and started running!! Forget practice or nagging injuries, this guy shows up on gameday and gets it done. I don't care if he ever practices. And after one preseason and a couple of carries in garbage time of the regular season opener, you're ready to annoint McCoy and show Westbrook the door???? Hey, McCoy might end up being really good; I'm an Eagles fan, I hope he does!! But to can our best offensive player of the last 5 years based on a glimpse of decent play from somebody else??? Cuh-razy. On another note - the late hit on McNabb in the endzone. The "momentum" argument might be relevant if McNabb had been down on the field anywhere between the goal lines; but 2-3 yards deep in the endzone??? There is no scenario in which you would EVER tackle a runner 2-3 yards deep in the endzone, because, as we all know, as soon as you cross the plane, the play is over. If McNabb is down at the 1 yard line, or right at the goal line, maybe; but 2-3 yards deep? It was def a dirty hit, and I didn't even mention the deliberate knee to the back.— bobby-d
- Great comment bobby-d. I think that some people on here just like talking smack because unsatified with thier lives or they just want to fire off a slavo. Looking bakc on it the Eagles did change their whole philosphy by running the ball with Westbrook. For whatever reason Reid never runs the ball when McNabb is the QB except for that 2003 season (3-headed RB).— Nothing but the truth
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- There have been times when Wstie kept this team alive and they have done worse in games when he was not active than games when McNabb was out. When his contract expires it may be after the salary cap is gone unless they can come up with a master labor contract next year.— atp2007
- Bwest has been a remarkable player for this team. and who has ever heard of a (starting)football player never taking a week off due to injury-besides Favre or Sheldon Brown? give the guy a break i hope he retires an Eagle because we all know he is dynamic on the field wherever he lines up. besides how could we have another Westbrook(McCoy) without the original to show him the ropes— Eagles4SB
