Westbrook: I'd love to return to Eagles
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Westbrook: I'd love to return to Eagles
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
After spending a year in San Francisco with the 6-10 49ers, Brian Westbrook doesn't sound like he's ready to call it quits.
The former Eagles great was in town for an autograph-signing event over the weekend and said he would love to return and play for Andy Reid.
"I talk to Coach Reid every week or so," Westbrook told NBC 10 and Comcast SportsNet. "We always talk. And I would love to be back in Philly, so we'll see how things go."
Westbrook carried 77 times for 340 yards (4.4 YPC) and had 16 receptions for 150 yards last season. In two games against the Cardinals, he had 36 carries for 215 yards. In all the other games combined, he had 41 carries for 125 yards.
But at the age of 31, he thinks he can still play.
"I think I can help out," he said. "I think they have a very good group of young guys on the team, as far as every position. But I still think that I can help this team win."
While the Eagles have generally been open to veterans leaving and then returning (see Jeremiah Trotter and Hugh Douglas), a Westbrook return would seem unlikely.
With that being said, backup running back is a hole that will need to be addressed at some point. Jerome Harrison received a second-round tender last week, but he has five years of experience, and it's unclear what the chances are of him returning until the CBA is resolved.
Harrison carried 40 times for 239 yards (6.0 YPC) in eight regular-season games with the Eagles. But much of that (21 carries, 99 yards) came in the Week 17 loss to the Cowboys when the starters sat out. In the other seven games, he had 19 carries for 140 yards (7.37 YPC). He was effective when he played, but mostly because of LeSean McCoy's success, Harrison didn't see the field much. I also wonder how comfortable the coaches were with him in pass protection.
The only other running back on the Eagles' active roster is Eldra Buckley, who was also tendered last week. Leonard Weaver is an X-factor. He showed a couple seasons ago that he could be an effective ballcarrier, but Weaver's health remains a major concern.
Last year, the Eagles were in a similar position and chose to sign restricted free agent Mike Bell, who didn't work out and was dealt to Cleveland in the Harrison trade.
I don't expect them to address it in the early rounds, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Birds pick up a running back in the middle or later rounds of April's draft.
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He's probably among the best options out there as a backup RB. If you can sign him for half a million with some incentives for carries, games played, etc., it would be worth looking into.— jpk
Comment removed.- No brainer!...He can't be anything but a help.— TBear
- best pass blocker we ever had! the fact that he didn't have any major injuries last year or presently is not in the process of reconstuctive surgery will only hurt his chances of being signed again.— Geno D
- Would take him back in a heartbeat. Brian is cutting well again, I saw a few of his games for San Fran. Best to you Westbrook.— hallux
- NFW— shawnmac
- I would think that BWest jknows the situation in Philly better than any of the know it alls here and the fact that he is publicly saying he would love to play for AR again tells you all you need to know. Please quit whining about AR with petty complaints, if you think AR is not a cood coach, you just don't know football. 3rd winningest coach in the last decade sums it up.— Mugwumps88
- He'll be just like Trot. A fairly nice back-up or fill-in in times of injury, nothing more. Always will be in my heart though (No, not a man-crush, like wolf-KK).— goeagles87
- I shouldn't even consider this...but the Niners need a QB...a lot of people (not just here) want Kolb gone...trade Kolb, get Westbrook and possibly a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick. Westbrook certainly won't start, but he's a solid veteran to have on the sidelines, and he knows the system. I'd say do it.— MidStaterUXB
- Sign him to a one-day contract so he can retire as an Eagle. He is one shot to the head away from being a vegetable. Thanks for the years of service. Now move on with your life.— Reasonableone
- You you have a RB who is a concussion shy of getting shot out of the NFL, and you want to make him your return man, come on...Yes he can teach blocking to our backs, but I would be worried about him getting injured himself. There is a reason he didn't see the field a whole lot in San Fran...— phigglesfan75
- Brian, you'd like to return and we wish it was 2003 again. Neither will happen. Look at what happened to Muhammad Ali, Mike, and please retire.— Justin Case
- What's Kotite doing these days?— gmr18901
- Good in a leadership role with 5-7 carries a game.— jdld610
- It's a done deal. I'll have him in by training camp!— NC Eagle Fan
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