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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BRING HIM BACK!!!— danpfd- westbrook at 31 > bunkley/harrison— azguz
- bring him back, let him be a 3rd down option and a main KR/PR..problem solved..— docboy
- Depending on $ I think it's a 'No-Brainer'. If the situatio0n presented itself I'd also like to see #5 back. They both were largely responsible for Eagle success. Both would be MORE than adequate backups. If the money were reasonable it would be a Win-Win, we'd get backups that know the system and it would be a HUGE touch of class to let these guys finish their careers here.
Just my opinion.— Pheathers in Florida 
Comment removed.- yes, and he can teach blocking to the rest of the backs....or until or unless we improve the o-line vick will get killed early and kolb will last a whole game maybe...— nuggett
- The Eagles let Westbrook go last year partly for his own good -- see Andre Waters and Dave Duerson -- but he chose to trade his long-term health for a short-term payday and found a willing accomplice in the 49ers. He really ought to retire!— MarstonJJ
- bring him back to return kicks and punts....and third sting rb behind jerome!
- Westbrook would be a step up from Chad Hall. Some RB, some WR, and returns.— T
Player/Coach is always a good option but he will take up a very important roster spot that young legs would fill.— citysims- Tell him to please bring his geritol, AARP card, health insurance card and power of attorney when he gets clocked in the bean again. Please - stop living in the past. Guy is so far over the hill he's in the next state.— CiceroSpuriousDeodatus
- Move on people— jamesiri
- Comment removed.
- Would be sweet. But its not happening.— jayflyte
- Maybe they could make him asistant def. cord.??????!!!!!!!!!!!!!— mike cacchio
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