Brian Westbrook to be released

[AvengerRam]

Eagles to cut ties with Westbrook

ESPN.com news services

The Philadelphia Eagles announced Tuesday they will release running back Brian Westbrook.



A news conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET Tuesday to announce the move.


"Brian is one of the greatest Eagles of all time and he is an even a better person and leader," coach Andy Reid said. "In my mind, there has not been a more versatile running back that the NFL has seen. I had a conversation with Brian this morning to let him know. This is by far the most difficult part of this job. We wanted to make this move in order to maximize Brian's chances of landing with another NFL team."


Westbrook, who has been with the Eagles since 2002, is the franchise's all-time leader in yards (9,785) after being selected in the third round from Villanova.


"Brian Westbrook is one of the most electric players in the history of this franchise and is certainly also one of the most popular," Eagles chairman Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. "He was personally one of my favorite players to watch each and every Sunday and his playmaking abilities, leadership and values will be missed."


Said team president Joe Banner: "We all know how valuable Brian was as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles and he will certainly go down as one of the greatest Eagles of all time. But what really showed me how special a person Brian is, was watching the way he interacted with my children. That said more to me about Brian than anything else he could have done on the playing field. We will miss him both as a person and as a player."

Given Shurmur's connection to Philly, we should keep an eye on this one. If Westbrook (who was rumored to be considering retirement at one point) is healthy and willing to take on a No. 2 role (for a No. 2 price), he could be a good option.

[laram0]

I agree Av, talk about a perfect part-time back. Westbrook if healthy would be a great fit.

[Ramblin` Ram]

i guess Andy Reid was too busy eating hotdogs and taco bells to have seen Marshall in his day to make THAT comment about Westbrook..

Westbrook was a great player no doubt..and as a situational player he could still do a good job if he checks out fit and healthy...knowing his history of concussions would make me cringe whenever he got hit in the helmet tho..like it did when Trent came back to us.

[TheRammer]

Wow nice I was being dumb talking about LT coming to our team but I actually think this could come to frutation if the health and price checks out...

[sb34rams]

Why on Earth would Westbrook want to end his career in St. Louis? I see him going to a contender like the Super Bowl Champs to play a back-up role.

[AvengerRam]

Why on Earth would Westbrook want to end his career in St. Louis? I see him going to a contender like the Super Bowl Champs to play a back-up role.

Because free agents can pick the teams that are interested in them and set the price at whatever level they wish, right?

I suppose if the Rams and Saints offered the same contract, he'd probably go with New Orleans. However, that's not how free agency works.

[RebelYell]

If Jackson goes down for 4 games, could you imagine Westbrook holding the load full time or is he strictly a part time player?

Personally, I'd rather have Chester Taylor or (wait for it) Cadillac Williams if released.

[C-Mob 71]

Westbrook would be a great addition, no doubt about it. He is not durable enough to be an every down back, but he would compliment Jackson perfectly.

The trick now is convincing him to come to STL.

He can't have too many years left, but if we convince him we are in position to turn the ship around in the next two or three years, he might just hop on board.

[01d 0rd3r]

Why on Earth would Westbrook want to end his career in St. Louis? I see him going to a contender like the Super Bowl Champs to play a back-up role.

Ya, cause we cant persuade players to come here. Who does Jason Brown play for again.

[jmk321]

For Westbrook's sake I hope nobody signs him. With all of his concussions he probably shouldn't keep playing in the NFL. After watching the special on concussions in the NFL on Bryant Gumbel's HBO show it really scares me to see players who have had multiple concussions come back and play. I don't want Westbrook to be a vegetable by the time he's 40 like some NFL players who had multiple concussions.

[txramsfan]

Westbrook has informed his agent he is through. He's done.

[laram0]

Westbrook has informed his agent he is through. He's done.

Stick the fork in!

[txramsfan]

Heck, I read earlier that he was through.....then I heard on the Herd that he wants to play.

Offseason spin......gotta love it

[shower beers]

Ya, cause we cant persuade players to come here. Who does Jason Brown play for again.

His paycheck, as he proclaimed after he signed.

[shower beers]

Why on Earth would Westbrook want to end his career in St. Louis? I see him going to a contender like the Super Bowl Champs to play a back-up role.

The Saints have enough trouble spreading the ball around to their backs as it is, let alone adding another one into the mix.

Chargers or Pats perhaps?