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Thursday, July 24, 2008
Westbrook Here for Now, Says Talks Pending

     "There definitely was" a possibility he would not show up for Eagles training camp tonight, Brian Westbrook said as he prepared to check into the Lehigh dorms, a little before 6 p.m "I wanted to give my agent -- of course, I hired a new agent -- an opportunity to talk with (Eagles president) Joe (Banner), see if we can get something done."

     Westb rook said his new agent, Todd France, didn't talk to Banner today but spoke with VP of personnel Howie Roseman "a couple of times."

   Westbrook wouldn't characterize the ta;lks.

    "They're just talking now. Hopefully, they'll get it done soon," he said. Westbrook said he is not asking for $30 million guaranteed, though he threw out that figure in a recent Inquirer interview, and other agents involved in the process indicated that was the general level discussed.

    "I've heard so many things," Westbrook said. "I've interviewed a few agents. I think the agents I did not hire have put out a lot of vicious rumors; they're trying to ruin my credibility."

      . Westbrook said he used $30 million to make a point that previous deals establish a benchmark, such as the $21 million guarantee LaDainian Tomlinson got four years ago, and that years later, those benchmarks generally are eclipsed.

   "I didn't mention that as a figure I was necessarily looking for," he said. "It was as an example ... an extreme example, of how contracts work over the years."

       Westbrook said France "is aggressive, he's a guy who's going to work hard for you."

       Asked if coming to camp means he is committed to staying in camp, Westbrook said: "I'm here now, hopefully for good. It remains to be seen; I can't foresee the future. Hopefully, things go well and we get a deal done."

   Aske if he was in camp happily or reluctantly, Westbrook said: "I'm here. Whether I'm reluctant, I'm still here. I'm coming here to be here with my teammates, to compete for a job, and do everything I can to help this team win."

       Disgruntled corner Lito Sheppard also.reported on time, though Sheppard had not spoken to reporters when this was posted. The only no-show was right guard Shawn Andrews, who spoke to Eagles coach Andy Reid at least a few times yesterday about a personal matter that agent Rich Moran said kept Andrews from showing up on time. Reid confirmed that account, but did not excuse Andrews' absence. You can scroll down to previous posts to read more about that matter. 

Posted by Les Bowen @ 7:14 PM  Permalink | 12 comments
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Posted by jak dracula 09:15 PM, 07/24/2008
Who cares? This isn't news.
Posted by TEODOE 09:31 PM, 07/24/2008
The man has outplayed his contract. He's, at the very least, one of the top three best running backs in the league. Give the man his well earned money. God forbid if he breaks a leg this season and it's career ending. How much yo wanna bet that the Eagles won't honor the contract they signed with westbrook. He's outplayed his contract and to take words from the Eagles organization "It's a business."
Posted by bbrodyblue 09:36 PM, 07/24/2008
To Lenny and the other idiots that post asinine comments, athletes are vastly overpaid but you are missing the point. Professional sports, like other entertainment occupations, afford those who are GOOD ENOUGH to make it a large check because THEY ARE THE BEST AT A PROFESSION WHICH IS LUCRATIVE. Lenny and others likely are not the best at what they do and/or do not work in a high paid profession. Westbroook is phenomenal and is one guy who is underpaid although 30 Million is rediculous given his age, mileage and injury history.
Posted by TEODOE 09:36 PM, 07/24/2008
Oh yeah, I forgot. Nobody complained when Utley, Who hasn't won anything, got his contract. But if Ryan Howard T.O. or Westbrook, who deserve a better contract, ask for what they deserve, you people want to sound off and make them look like greedy, undeserving creeps.
Posted by augustus 09:39 PM, 07/24/2008
Get a clue, Lenny. Your salary is commensurate with the industry in which you work. I don't care how many degrees you have or how hard you work, it's all about the dollars your business generates. An NFL franchise generates millions and the salaries of the employees reflect that. The more valuable an employee you are, the more you are paid. Before you attempt to analogize his situation to yours, consider the context. Now whether you agree that he is worth more than he is currently being paid (within the context of the NFL) is a different story. Comparing your own dead end job to his in order to to prove your point is just idiotic.
Comment removed.
Posted by jplato 10:14 PM, 07/24/2008
i think philly is the most openly racist city i've ever lived in.
Posted by pattymac24 10:39 PM, 07/24/2008
Well put augustus... Nobody like B-West more than me, but the reality is this- the Eagles Brass has one job: to look out for the best interest of this franchise. I hate to say it, but B-West will be gone after the '09 season because he will be 31 and that's when RB's get "old." Remember when Deuce Staley left town and we all thought AR was crazy. Same thing for Bobby Taylor & Troy Vincent. Hugh Douglas to Jax & Trotter to Washington. We all hated it and we were all wrong. Andy Reid and Joe Banner know exactly what they are doing. They refuse to overpay for aging veterans and handcuff their team. I think Brian Westbrook is one of the top 2 RB's in the league and yes, he is underpaid. That doesn't mean the Eagles should open their wallet and overpay for the next 3 years.
Posted by krazylegs 11:09 PM, 07/24/2008
jplato-have you ever been down south?
Posted by FBA_PhillyFan 09:18 AM, 07/25/2008
Wow, TEODOE, you pulled the race card out quick on this one. Do you even leave that in your wallet, or does it sit in your front pocket, ready to go at all times? What does race of to do with contracts? BTW, I do believe Howard got what he was looking for this year.
Posted by Azzurri 10:38 AM, 07/25/2008
Gargano just said on WIP that Andrews was almost traded yesterday because of whatever his personal reasons are for not reporting to camp....ok why isn't an Eagles beat reporter on top of this?????
12 comments