Brown won't be keeping Westbrook's No. 36
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Brown won't be keeping Westbrook's No. 36
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Back in March, Brian Westbrook was interviewed and said he'd love to return to Philly to play for Andy Reid and the Eagles.
The interest didn't appear to be mutual as the Birds went in a different direction at the backup spot, signing Ronnie Brown to a deal on Tuesday.
Brown's here at Lehigh and met with reporters after the morning practice. At the time, he was in street clothes - a white T, jeans and a Phillies hat.
In the afternoon, he came out with a jersey. But not just any jersey, No. 36, Westbrook's old number.
It looked a little strange, even though Westbrook has not played with the Eagles since 2009.
But an Eagles spokesman said No. 36 is temporary. The Eagles have 90 guys on their roster and seven retired numbers. That doesn't leave many other options right now.
However, the question will be brought up at some point in the future. Should the Eagles give out No. 36?
And really, it's a discussion you can't have without bringing up Nos. 5 and 20 also.
Brian Dawkins spent 13 seasons in Philadelphia, started 182 games, was an eight-time Pro Bowler and four-time All Pro. Owner Jeffrey Lurie has said no one will wear No. 20 as long as he's in charge.
McNabb holds many of the team's passing records, including yards and touchdowns. He started 142 games for the Birds, and the Eagles won over 65 percent of the games he started. McNabb helped get the Eagles to five NFC championship games and one Super Bowl. He was a six-time Pro Bowler.
Should anyone be allowed to wear No. 5?
And finally, Westbrook. He's the franchise's all-time leader in yards from scrimmage and is second to Wilbert Montgomery in rushing yards. Westbrook also has the third-most touchdowns in franchise history, behind Harold Carmichael and Steve Van Buren. He started 85 games with the Eagles and was a two-time Pro Bowler.
Should anyone be allowed to wear No. 36?
Keep in mind the exclusive group of players who have had their numbers retired here: Steve Van Buren (15), Tom Brookshier (40), Pete Retzlaff (40), Chuck Bednarik (60), Al Wistert (70), Reggie White (92) and Jerome Brown (99).
Do Westbrook, Dawkins or McNabb belong in that group?
This is one of those where I let you tee off in the comments section, so have at it. Based on the response I received via Twitter, there will be some strong opinions on this topic.
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retire #20......no on #36 and give out #5 to the next 7th round pick who makes the team......When Mcchoke actually retires he"s going to be 5 times the size he is now......Absolute Slob— klew- Jerome Brown'99 was retired out of sympathy over his untimely demise. Had he lived, he might have achieved the greatness that warrants retiring, but as it was he didn't.
McNabb did some wonderful things here, but so did Jaws and Randal. So do they retire 7 and 12?
Carmichael's #17? where does it end? Unless you reserve that honor for truly exceptional players you will run out sooner or later.
(That said why can't NFL teams use 0 and 00? Did the league want to honor Jim Otto the way MLB honors Jackie Robinson)— Dragon76 - Sorry, 5, 20 and 36 --- not yet. Save retired numbers for Super Bowl winners or Hall of Famers. Dawkins has earned the latter, so 20 will be on the wall sometime this decade. Meanwhile, save 5 and 36 until after the first HOF vote for which they are eligible. All retired Phils' numbers belong to players with plaques in Cooperstown.— jdmfarm
- what about the best kicker they ever had who led the team in scoring numerous years, good old #2— FatBoy90
- no one should wear no. 5 for simple reason --it's bad luck --the guy who wore it always seemed to have something go wrong --let's try better numbers for winning the big one one day— warbiscuit
- Don't retire any numbers, even if Barry Sanders or Jim Brown played here. Maybe wait a year or two before handing out #36, #20, or #5.— armchairGM
- Reggie White doesn't deserve to have his number retired. As much as he contributed to the Eagles, he turned out to be a mere mercenary who went to fight alongside the enemy. Boo!— Bazalite
- BDAWK NO DOUBT !!!— t4tuck
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LOL!! oUT OF ALL THE PRO AND CON POSTS, YOURS MAKES THE MOST SENSE, warbiscuit
— essell 
Phew, for a moment there I thought the 3 was an 8, and that Reggie Brown was back..- I agree with Dragon76 and believe Jaws was pretty much equal to Mcnabb and if 17 isn't retired you can't retire 36. I love Dawk and if he makes into the HOF then yes.— tsump
- Did westbrook win us a superbowl or was he like some kind of ultimate weapon or something?— aintmisinphilly
- Retzlaff was 44....who does the research here?....JB's 99 should be unretired, the old timers should stay, cause they won CHAMPIONSHIPS, before the Super Bowl. No Dawk (great player), No Westy, AND NOOOOO to McStink, he never won the big one...this retired jersey stuff is overplayed...who cares— SkipinWV
- I don't see the logic unless these guys go into the NFL Hall of Fame.— petergou
- I'd retire #20 in a few years. B Dawk changed the position he played and was a relentless monster at his position. McNabb and Westbrook would probably be a NO. Unless either of them get into the Hall, which probably won't happen.
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