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."
5isaking... he may be a loser, but he is a fast, strong, athletic, TD catching, defense stretching, BEAST of a loser that makes any team he is on better and any QB he is playing with better.— stblindtiger- 5isaking... he may be a loser, but he is a fast, strong, athletic, TD catching, defense stretching, BEAST of a loser that makes any team he is on better and any QB he is playing with better.— stblindtiger
- hey montymiller, give me another pal!— ag
- No, McNabb doesn't desrve a new deal. When you take his base salary this year and add in the signing bonus over the lief of the deal, he is still well paid. Bring us a SB and I might change my opinion.— chasing history
- Palmayra... McNabb wants a new contract too!!! what do you think they mean by an extension... another contract!!!— stblindtiger
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Draft John Gilbonni or Nick Gerzs as our new QB- I think the problem Mcnabb has is next to none of the 22 mil over the next two years is guaraunteed....A career ending injury in preseason and he can be dropped at no cost to the team, and extension would involve guaranteed money. Plus no cap in place coming up in the final year of his contract makes him alot more tradable especially with any takers not having to pay if something happens— who123
- As Philly 10 yelled, he is already under contract and making a hell of a lot of money. He is still one of the highest paid players at his position. What incentive would the Eagles have to renegotiate his contract when he is already under contract? Save the drama for Obama and play football.— blackknight
- you people need to stop listening the moron reporters on this sight and start to read a news paper that actually reports what the players say and not what the reports think.. Mcanabb does not want more money... i will type it again HE DOES NOT WANT MORE MONEY.. he wants to finsh his career in philadelphia, he wants to play out his current contract but have an extension... an extension starts after the current contract not replacing the current on.. learn football before you type....— bleed green forever
- 5isaQueeen and Funkee10....please stop! McWhiner is only as good as Westbrook and Jackson lets him be. If he can get a spine and run 8-10 yards to free up the RBs and WRs or throw MORE ACCURATELY, we can get another of our WRs to break 1000 yards again this year. A new contract? Yeah...give him one for 1 year! No more than that!
- If Mcnabb would have said something similar to this when T O was around the Eagles would have had a massive parade down broad street like the Phils did.— amann08
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- oh god, if you really do exist, please please oh lord let the eagles resign mcnabb and fat andy for another 6 or ten years. i love watching and hearing them. oh yeah I'M A REDSKINS FAN......... I love how the idiots chant e a g l e s at the flyers, sixer & phillies games. I'm sure those players LOVE hearing that. if the eagles won a superbowl i could understand the chant but you haven't won in almost fifty * 50 * five-oh fifty years. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha— coolnamehere19125
