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
"It's a situation where in the NFL, younger, cheaper is better for teams," said Brian Westbrook. (Yong Kim / Staff Photographer)
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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Comments (38)
Haven't won a super bowl with mcnabb or westbrook... Trade Mcnabb, start Kolb and lets try that. Go draft a linebacker, sign a linebacker, build a linebacker, just get some defense!— fman727
Cut Westbrook, trade McNabb for Shaun Rogers and a 3rd round pick, and sign Julius Peppers. Then you have o hope Kolb can play a little. If he can, you're going to go deep into the playoffs.— Mr. Smith- Time for a new era. McCoy and Kolb should start, with Maclin, Jackson, weaver, and the tight end. Draft defense this year, line backers, and safetys and DB's. Free agency gets you Peppers and a DT... a nice pick for mcnabb and vick. find a nice back up qb to compete with kolb.— maximus
- maximus: right on target.— hobbit
- max, correct. Is Brooks' contract too convoluted to trade him too?? Seems like it. Trade Mac, Vick and any other malcontent that only the Eagles know like Brown for any picks they can get. Sign Peppers. Get some good O lineman but mostly D stuff and pick up a Vet QB at training camp. Kolb is not a bad gunner.— KGKoons
It's time Westy....It's time.— citysims- Maximus - agree with everything but Peppers. Assume you meant TE Celek, not last year's 5th rounder. We also need to draft another TE and some O-line help. But of course D is the #1 priority.— dragoon6
- Is this team as good as any of the Eagles teams from 2001-2005? I don't think it is. Go ahead and start Kolb, but don't expect immediate results.— p-diddy
- Will it really matter as long as Andy is our "fearless" (actually, deer in the headlights) leader on this team. We can blame McNabb and any one else, but at some point doesn't someone hav to note that Andy's system and his players' abilities just doesn't match. Sometimes the coach and quarterback combo (most notably Reeves and Elway) just doesn't work. I will be sorry to see Westbrook go, but at that number I am not sure anyone will sign him. But whoever does, will probably be willing to give him more than the Eagles (just like Dawkins last year). I wisk Brian well and hope he can play a few more years - so long as it is not witin our division.— wyoiggle
I think it’s a real possibility that people will look back at the past culture of football and wonder why more preventive steps were not taken to help at least reduce the debilitating effects of professional ball. And why more wasn’t done to help the injured players in their post-NFL careers…For decades now, the information and evidence has been there. You need to look no further than a lot of retired NFL players. The league simply did not do enough to address it, and really left some of their own out to dry by refusing certain benefits, ignoring facts, not taking preventive measures, etc. (Paul Tagliabue or Gene Upshall anyone?) Point being, the NFL NEEDS to do everything in their power to take care of their players and former players who have made them millions upon millions for them…Sweeping something under the rug doesn’t make it go away.- Brian has a contract. If he can SHOW in OTA's and MAYBE training camp that he can be nearly as effective as he used to be, I hope that the team will try and re-negotiate (downward to back-up's money with escalators and performance clauses) to keep him with us. But the new starter is Shady McCoy. But if the kid STILL can't get the idea of pass blocking and blitz pick-ups....— TBear
- This is all meaningless without a change in offensive philosophy and you all know it. The parts can change, but the results won't so long as the running game is a black sheep to this coach.— evolutionary
- Westbrook is a yong man and he mst realize that life is LONG. At 31 he is going to ahve a lot of years left. His body is in bad shape; he needs to decide if he wants to live a life as a crippled man. I would think not. Aside from the statistics, there is a good reason why Jim Brown is the man. He didn't die with his boots on. JB had enought sense to get out before he suffered a debilitating injury. Brian, hang p the cleats, bro. It's over and you had a good run.— pres
- Sorry, Eagles aren't going to pay Westbrook $7.25M next year so he can miss camp, practice, and half of the games on the schedule. AGAIN.— eagles84
- renig his deal, give him like 4 or 5 mil, and you are a moron if you want shaun rogers, dude is in the twilight of his career and we already have young interior lineman. we need a d end.— BallsDeep
- 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
This interview deserved to be on the cutting room floor! rather is a Dope! and Westbrook like McNabb Ignore the local scribes.... Westbrook is Fan unfriendly he ignored them on fan appreciation day! Lost my respect.. I hope he enjoys life without the eagles..- Been knocked unconscious 3x's myself. Post-concussion syndrome for 40 years. Found out about Medical Qi-gong, moving energy along the body's meridians. Head started to clear during 1st treatment. It works.— ItalianSausage
- How about Pete Retzlaff? He looked frisky in television interviews last week— GoCowboys
- Oh my goodness..........an athlete I can understand when his mouth opens and words come out.— NC Dennis
- You all don't deserve Westbrook here, the dude saved our season several times: 03-04 punt return TD in NY, Garcia Year: that was really Westbrook and the run, 2 years ago, he won the Minny PO game himself and 2007-08 he was the MVP of the NFL, if Brady doesn't have his year? If this guy wasn't here for the last 8 years BOTH REID AND Donovan MaGoo would of been gone years ago????— mikey48
- I hope he does leave and goes to Indy or Baltimore, New England or New Orleans, they ain't paying Reggie Bush 8 mil a year? With Manning, Brady, Brees or Flacco, Brian has a shot at a SB ring, he isn't getting that with 1 Ton Reid, and Donovan "I need laser eye correction surgery" MaGoo?— mikey48
- Comment removed.
- I like Westbrook, but I just don't see the Birds paying him $7mil as they have never been the sentimental type.— PhillyFan_in_NoVA
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Sheil Kapadia is in his fifth season writing about the Eagles and the NFL for philly.com. His earliest
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