Westbrook 'not sure' if he'll be back with Birds
Last week, Brian Westbrook spoke at length about his concussions during a radio interview with former teammate Blaine Bishop. He also said there was "no question" in his mind that Donovan McNabb would be back with the Eagles. But what about Westbrook's own future with the team that drafted him in the third round back in 2002?
Westbrook 'not sure' if he'll be back with Birds
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Last week, Brian Westbrook spoke at length about his concussions during a radio interview with former teammate Blaine Bishop.
He also said there was "no question" in his mind that Donovan McNabb would be back with the Eagles.
But what about Westbrook's own future with the team that drafted him in the third round back in 2002?
"I'm a hundred percent sure that I wouldn't hang it up before [starting offseason training] unless something crazy happens," Westbrook told Dan Rather of HDNet's Dan Rather Reports. "My goal is to get back out there and play football again. That's what I'm gonna train this offseason to do. That's what I'm gonna put everything that I can into be able to do next year, is to go out there and play football at a high level. That's my goal and that's what I'm planning on doing."
The interview took place on Jan. 27, and parts of it were used during an hour-long look at concussions.
Westbrook made it clear that he's not ready to call it quits after suffering two concussions last season. He was asked if that meant he'd be back with the Eagles.
"I'm not sure. That's one of those things that really is up to them," Westbrook said. "I'm under contract another year, and I would love to be in Philadelphia. There's no other team that I would love to play for more than the Philadelphia Eagles. But it's a situation where in the NFL, younger, cheaper is better for teams. It's one of those things. It's part of the business. I experienced it when I was younger, and I experience a different aspect now. You have to try and find out, for the team, what's better for them."
Westbrook is due $7.25M next season under his current contract. He played in eight games last year and will turn 31 before Week 1.
Asked about the possibility of playing for another team, Westbrook said, "That's part of the business. Like I said, I would love to be with the Philadelphia Eagles for the entirety of my career, but the business says that at some point, you're gonna get fired. At some point, they're gonna say 'You know what, you're not good enough to play here for the amount of money that we would have to pay you."
Video from the interview, which also includes Westbrook talking about his concussions, is embedded below.
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Forget the playoffs. This team is built to win in the regular season only. The management doesn't care about the playoffs. That is why Reid and McNabb will be running the team again in 2010. They win in the regular season, which is responsible for putting butts in seats and merch on customers. If you ask these guys (Lurie and Banner) what gold standard actually means, they won't tell you it is winning the superbowl. They will say, gold standard is not to get crazy buying free agents, rather drafting servicable players and mixing them with servicable free agents, keeping the budget tight, regardless of available cap dollars, winning in the regular season, and maintaining the status quo while remaining profitable each and every year. Playoffs and superbowls do not substantially alter the profit picture or change the business model. So as fans, don't go out there talking about what it's going to take to beat Jones or take it to the next level because that is NOT what the Eagles are about. If you want to be a fan of a Superbowl winning team, get on the Saints bandwagon because Reid and McNabb will never get you there, and they are not required to do so by management either. The promised land for Lurie is that billion dollar figure as the team's net worth, after buying it for $175 mil. from another businessman only interested in pulling out profits from the team. And we hated that guy.— trainrdt
Comment removed.- B-West... I highly doubt this organization is bringing you back. It has been a pleasure watching you play in Eagles green. Nothing but the best of luck to you. Doesn't matter who's QB'ing this team in 2010, if the Eagles don't make some serious upgrades on the defensive side of the ball this team is going nowhere. Same old constant circle with this team. Does anybody really care about this fool's gold standard organization anymore? GO PHILS!— pflynn20
- Since The Michelin Man was signed to and unwarranted extension we are stuck with him for another year of failure. McSmall must go for all the reasons we all know. BWest, for his own health, should retire. Vick needs to go the Browns Dog Pound with Heckert. Checkout the Eagles Stay or Go article. Fans voted on each player listed. LB can be gotten in FA, if the are will to spend the money. Dansby is #1 choice followed by Brackett. Safety has to addressed in the Draft since there are no real quality URFA out here to sign. Berry will be gone but Earl Thomas or Nate Allen should be there when the Eagles pick. Peppers would be a great sign but I doubt it will happen although the Giants are suppose to have interest in him. DE might have to come from the draft. Top 5 players are: 1. Derrick Morgan GT, 2. Everson Griffen USC, 3. Carlos Dunlap Fla, 4. Jason Pierre-Paul So. Fla., and last Brandon Graham Michigan. 3rd rd. might get you A. J. Edds OLB Iowa or Daryl Washington TCU. Balance of the draft should concentrate on a Center, CB, and assuming McSmall and Vick are gone, another QB to develop. Zac Robinson Okla. St. should be there in the 4th rd. Eagles have a 1st, 2nd, 2 3rds,, 2 4ths, no 5th or 7th but a 6th plus any compensator pick thery might get. They have 6 of the top 125 picks. Will The Michelin Man select wisely?— The Marco Islander
I have the utmost respect for Westbrook and he's been great for the organization up until these last 2 years. But, if you stand outside our biased Eagle world and watch him run recently he's not only lost multiple steps but he's running fragile. As if he expects to get hurt now - it's a shame but BWest knows his long term livelihood is more important than the game now. Shady will be the man now - it's the way of the business. Happy trails and good luck to you Brian...- Comment removed.
- Shady McCoy is NOT all that yet. I think Buckhalter would have performed better in 2009 than rookie McCoy. But, there is an upside to Shady--fingers crossed. Westbrook was the RB-playmaker that took the pressure off the McNabb passing game. Handing the ball to Westbrook was a huge part of Eagles success. If Westy cannot comeback as an Eagles, perhaps team can secure Chester Taylor--and experienced RB with the ability to run, receive and pass protect. Shady isn't enough by a long shot.— Smashmouth
- If Brian Westbrook is playing next year, I want him on the Eagles. Maybe they might have to renegotiate his deal down some, but he could still help us a lot. I like McCoy, but he's no Brian Westbrook and probably never will be. The Saints were very effective using three running backs. The Eagles were more successful back when we had the three headed monster. If Westbrook can play the Eagles are going to be better if he splits carries with McCoy.— bc3030
- Doubt if we will see Westbrook back. Andy Reid is not going to change. McNabb will be the QB and we will see some changes on defense and the O-line. Beyond that we will see he same product on the field that we have for the last 11 years. The same coaching philosophy, the same lack of time management, the same perplexing play calling, the same obtuse game plans and the same lack of ability to make needed adjustments during the game. We probably will see the same end result also. All we can hope for is for everything to go our way and that we somehow stumble into the super bowl, then by some quirk of fate, win it.— JimSeitz
- Comment removed.
- Let's see. The Eagles offense broke records this season with a handicapped riddle line from the beginning of the season. We have at least 2 players who had long term rehabilitative injuries. We currently have one central player injured at the end of the past season that will need at least a year to recover. We achieved a good won lost record in spite of that, in addition to our best RB and WR virtually useless. Rookies and back ups filling the void and depth was attained during this time. We lost the master D Coordinator at the beginning of the season along with key loses of the heart of the defense. The coaching staff perennially being robbed of high quality staff by other teams and we still won 23 of our games. Just what in the world are you complainers looking at or talking about regarding failure. It is no longer politically or legally correct to tell you to go kick your dog. Maybe just buy a stuffed something and vent your twisted frustrations on it...try a pillow. You can put the Lombardi Trophy picture on it. Great coaching and playing with patchwork.— aden
- Reality Speaks, I agree with your comments 100%. I remember being in N.Y about 25 years ago and staying in a hotel where a former Eagle RB was staying. Forgot his name, but the pain I had just watching this man walk still remains with me. His legs were bowed and twisted. His walk was like twisting the hips to advance himself. Why no consideration is given to those who have sacrificed for the present success is beyond me..not really. It is always like this, the present never respects the past. Quality of life is a present danger for all these athletes. I often think what will we see in the later years for a Dawkins as we see with an Earl Campbell..the past will catch up with everyone in the future.— aden
- Nice comment pres.....nice positive advice....not like alot of this other negative dribble!— PhiEagle
- Whether Westbrook should start ahead of McCoy won't be known until the end of camp. Let's say Westbrook is the backup. If he's relatively healthy, where in the world could the Eagles get a second running back who can pick up blitzes and run routes better than the starter? And isn't as easy to knock down. This is a case where the Eagles should ignore whether he makes 7 million or 1 million. If the man can play, he should be on the team next year. There's not so much money tied up in Weaver and McCoy that they can't also have Westbrook.— tacklinjoe
- I hope Westbrook can end his career in Philly, but just in case, I'd trade McNabb to Cleveland for Josh Cribbs. He's a younger version of Westbrook and he wants out of Cleveland.— BGarber
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