WESTBROOK: MCNABB DESERVES A CONTRACT
Brian Westbrook addressed a number of issues today after taking part in an Eagles-sponsored event that promoted a rematch between the 1993 high school football squads from Phillipsburg and Easton, two long-time Thanksgiving Day rivals.
WESTBROOK: MCNABB DESERVES A CONTRACT
Bob Brookover
Brian Westbrook addressed a number of issues today after taking part in an Eagles-sponsored event that promoted a rematch between the 1993 high school football squads from Phillipsburg and Easton, two long-time Thanksgiving Day rivals.
The running back, during an interview with local radio and television reporters, talked about his surgically repaired left knee, the loss of Brian Dawkins and Tra Thomas and the likelihood of the team adding a rookie running back in the draft. In a separate interview on ESPN's First Take, Westbrook was asked about quarterback Donovan McNabb's contract situation.
"I think Donovan means so much to this football team," Westbrook said on ESPN. "He brings a leadership, he brings a lot of value on the field as well. I also think this is a business kind of thing. Do I think he deserves a contract? Absolutely. He has brought so much to the team and this organization as well as the city. Hopefully, he's able to handle his business and the way he wants to get it done."
As for his knee, Westbrook said, "I've gone through a lot of rehab and I'm still continuing to go through rehab. Hopefully this will be the first year I've played pain-free football on my knee in a long time. I have to kind of rebuild myself back and get ready to play this year. I'm excited about the outcome of my rehab."
Westbrook said watching Dawkins leave via free agency for the Denver Broncos was difficult.
"It was tough," he said. "I talked to Brian throughout that process and it was tough for him and it was tough for me as well because he is a very good friend. Now that he's getting used to being out in Denver, I'm happy for him and I know he'll do a great job out there in Denver. For us, as a team, we have to try to fill that void he left and go forward and try to win football games."
Westbrook was asked about job security for others on the team when the Eagles let somebody like Dawkins walk away.
"Play as hard and as long as you can, be excited about the games and enjoy the time that you're here," Westbrook said. "When it's time to move on, you've got to move on."
Westbrook said he didn't think the Eagles were rebuilding after losing Dawkins, Thomas and backup running back Correll Buckhalter.
"I think we let go a lot of talent, a lot of leadership and a lot of my good friends, but at the same time Coach Reid, Joe Banner and those guys upstairs have done a great job of replacing talent," Westbrook said. "They've done a great job of bringing new guys in here to feed the need for talent here and hopefully they will continue to do that."
It's a good bet that the Eagles will bring another running back in via the draft later this month and Westbrook supports that idea.
"I think we definitely will go get a guy that's very talented in the draft, free agency or trade," Westbrook said. "I have no problem with that. You see that throughout the league. You have two or three guys that can play and any talent you can bring into this team ... it will definitely help this team and that's what you're looking for."
no new contract until the old is getting ready to expire.— Pooh- For all you know it alls that bash McNabb up and down these screens stop watching Eagles Football.Pick up a hobby like buying stuff on QVC maybe you can get a hold of Bobby Hoying or Doug Pederson see if they want to hang out.Ungreatful wine asses.The man will win over 100 games in his career as an Eagle.He will hold about every major passing catagory as an Eagle.And to top it off we are a contender every year with him.— reggleston38
- hey maybe obama can bailout mcnabb. they're from the same city and state. wow— coolnamehere19125
- His current contract, even though it pays him well for the next 2 years, is worthless because none of it is guaranteed. That's what he wants, guaranteed money. This is the business of football, stop complaining about it.— Gary Varsho
- The problems all seem to start with ESPN, don't they. Either she's dense, incompetant, or Dana Jacobsen just enjoys baiting people. Maybe they ought to run a seminar for their employees on how to be journalists.— RichieAllen64
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- a new contract now means more cap room in the short term...if the Birds are not going in another direction at QB (which they shouldn't), then it makes sense to sign him to another contract, but not until training camp, because you need to sign draft picks and free agents..
- we complain when players don't talk...we complain when players talk...what is the point sportsfans ?.....you get more here than andy or joe ever gave you....why not just accpet his comments ....at face value....it is his opionion.....and I am sure it is more informed than you and I as he shares the real football experience with his teammates.......whereas we are just pasionalte fans who are living vicarously thru a football team....we are not insiders....— nuggett
- coolnamehere19125- Didn't see the Redskins in the NFC championship game last year, much less the playoffs. Worry bout your own squad, and get off our message boards.— mattdaddy721
- It would be foolish for the eagles to renew an aging, injury-prone, and inconsistent QB for big dollars. But, hey, it was foolish for them to renew an aging, injury prone RB too.— jtj06
- i saw the redskins win 3 superbowls (and lose 2). how many did you see the eagles win "mattdaddy721" ???????????? i'm born and raised in philly and the flyers, phillies and sixers i cheer for but not the birdbrains...... gold standerd my balls..... eagles were are & will be a 2nd class franchise forever.........— coolnamehere19125
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- Yes they should cuz as we all know McNabb wants 2 be an Eagle til he retires he even said it on an ESPN game..so come on get McNabb a couple top guns then give him dat contract extension and 2 Westbrook we need cuz he plays real hard 4 da team as we all know..like wat he did against da Vikings in this past yr's playoffs when he ran dat big run 2 open up da game..so come on guys SIGN THEM!— Philly_guy07
- When McNabb does something that warrants a "contract extension," i.e., something above and beyond what he's already being paid to do??? THEN we can talk "contract extension." In other words, when we win the SUPER BOWL with him at QB, I'll be first in line to support more years for him - because he'll be a PHILLY SPORTS HERO, PHINALLY! Too many athletes, who are paid big bucks because of their athleticism AND WHAT THEY ALREADYY DO, etc., think they should be paid more to do exactly what they are already paid to do...I don't get that. Oh, and Mike DICK thinks some team is going to pay him $10 million/year now...The only organization that will pay that MF'er (may he DIE a horrible death, preferably at the jaws of some CHIMP or his own Pit Bull) a dime to play football again has zero morals and very little skill at assessing QB ability...Of course, there are those, without a conscience, who would sign Vick just for the publicity; you know what they say...ANY publicity is good publicity... Ok, I'm done - for now... PK— PhillyTheKid
