Westbrook To Finish As One Of Eagles' All-Time Greats
February 23, 2010
| Last Updated: 2/23/10 4:06 PM ET
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Comments (39)
The Philadelphia Eagles announced on Tuesday that they will release running back Brian Westbrook.
"Brian is one of the greatest Eagles of all time and he is even a better person and leader," said head coach Andy Reid. "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 now in order to maximize Brian's chances of landing with another NFL team."
Westbrook will finish his Eagles career as the franchise's all-time leader in yards from scrimmage (9,785) after being selected in the 3rd round of the 2002 draft from Division I-AA Villanova. He also ranks 2nd in rushing yards (5,995) behind Wilbert Montgomery and 3rd in receptions (426) behind Harold Carmichael and Pete Retzlaff. In addition, Westbrook's 68 total touchdowns ranked 3rd in team history behind Carmichael and Steve Van Buren. He holds the franchise's single season record for most scrimmage yards in a season (a league-leading 2,104 in 2007) and most receptions in a season (90 in 2007). He eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark 20 times (including playoffs) during his career, tying for 2nd most in club history.
"Brian Westbrook is one of the most electric players in the history of this franchise and is certainly also one of the most popular," said Eagles Chairman Jeffrey Lurie. "He was personally one of the 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."
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 1:44 p.m., February 23
johnson447@...
02/25/10
10:07 pm ET |
Yeah, louis.. are you westbrooks trainer? He barely played 2 games last year, not to mention he has never finished a full season in his career. I love how everyone complains about the FO... they are GOOD at letting old players go (Taylor, Vincent, Runyan, Thomas). Dawk was probably the only mistake I can look back on in the past decade. Get your emotions in line, we are trying to win a SB not cry about our favorite players. Cheers to Westbrook for all he has done
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louispabon100@...
02/24/10
6:22 pm ET |
i am telling you right now the eagles made the biggest mistake in franchise history first of all Westbrook is recovering perfectly fine right now. and hes not playing like every 30 year old their stupid. this is another episode of another Brian dawkins mcoy is not ready to be a starting back to early he still as lots to learn i don.t see this team going to the playoffs if the eagles dosen`t fix the o line, and the defense. true fact. guarantee what ever team westbrooks goes for theill atleast go to the playoffs because when wrestbrook showed up the eagles things started getting better now its not getting any better as of right now it isin`t... the stuff scucksssssss right now....
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stevevanburen@...
02/24/10
5:11 am ET |
This stinks even though most of us knew it was coming, Injured or not, Brian Westbrook was the epitome of what a Philadelphia Eagles or NFL player should be. Class act on and off the field, always a team first guy and nothing short of spectacular when he could get on the field. Thanks for the great memories Westbrook. Stay healthy.
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haretim@...
02/24/10
1:03 am ET |
If there was ever a time when you could hit the reset button.....nows the time. I wear my Westbrook jersey with pride and honor. For years he's been the best. Even a battered and bruised Westbrook is still better than 70% of running backs in the NFL. Andy Reid: hit the reset button on today and keep BRIAN WESTBROOK home in Philly.
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IMTHEWAGON@...
02/23/10
9:19 pm ET |
Sadly - it is a business. I don't think this is rebuilding - but positioning to get them back to the SB. I am not saying I agree with it, but they did it because they thought he lost something significant, or to free up money to acquire a BIG Free Agent (or both). Brian is/was one of the most amazing football players I have ever seen in nearly 40 years of watching the game. Good luck - you will be missed.
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rizza
02/23/10
9:18 pm ET |
Wow. Just about every comment I read calls the FO idiots for releasing Westy. Really? I love Westy also but c'mon. Did it ever occur to anybody that his kness are still busted up or his concussions are still affecting him? He is due 7 Million in 2010. Would you honestly pay a guy 7 mill when he probably can't stay on the field? That's not to mention he is not the weapon he was. I think it was the best move for the team. Think what 7 mil can do free agency or locking up young core players to long deals. There was a reason the Eagles drafted a RB in the 2nd round last year.
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johneads16@...
02/23/10
8:29 pm ET |
This is bullsh**. Why would they even do something this stupid. I think if we could've kept all the people we had this year MAYBE pick up a linebacker we could be super bowl team. No we just got rid of our biggest runner. I hope I am wrong but we will never have a run game like we had with Westbrook. THIS IS BULLSH**.
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IMTHEWAGON@...
02/23/10
7:54 pm ET |
Has anyone seen or heard reaction from Brian? I thought he was pretty dedicated to being an Eagle. He also seemed a little hesitant about comitting to returning to the NFL - I would love to hear what he has to say now & whether or not he really wants to play. Regardless - it's a sad day indeed.
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andrew_short69@...
02/23/10
6:44 pm ET |
But instead of adressing needs they release westbrook who by the way we cud use on 3d downs, he can still catch and run, he can still block and help younger players, even receivers cuz he was such a great route runner, but instead they keep marty and a bunch of people with giant ? over there head.
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andrew_short69@...
02/23/10
6:42 pm ET |
The eagles should finish rebuilding, AR needs to pull his head outta Dmacs arse, westbrook still looked like he has speed, mcnabb has been declining for years and if westbrook and dawk were to old than mcnabb should be too. We need to get the defense back to a top 5 atleast and the FO needs to stop kidding themselves, they make alotta good decsions but they also make some really bad ones, both andrews, boths brians leavin, laws b4 jackson in the draft(come on to have him higher than djack on ur list),keeping hanson, why is abiamari still on the roster?, marty is the biggest one, he has no grasp of the west coast offense, its more like a west coast spread and go deep(dont west coast offenses run the ball?)the eagles arent a west coast offense anymore there a lets go deep every play offense.
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dimegliof@...
02/23/10
6:41 pm ET |
You have got to be kidding me?!?!? I have been an Eagles fan since "Jaws" and this has got to be the worst move in franchise history. Would have been better served to release McNabb... I wish Westbrook the best even if it means blue and silver or maroon and gold! Good luck Brian, you will be missed
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bryan.t.kmitch@...
02/23/10
6:24 pm ET |
As a huge Eagles fan i am truely sorry to see another great Brian let go. He was a great asset to this team, a leader, a true professional in every way, and one of the best players to ever put on an Eagles uniform. I understand that football is a buisness so I understand the decsion and I wish Brian the best of luck wherever he might and up and hope that he can finish up his carear with a championship which he truley deserves.
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tuigamala07@...
02/23/10
5:19 pm ET |
THIS IS ridiculous how the heck are we going let go of one of the greatest running backs in Eagle history. He still got a lot of years to play...I feel like we're going to regret this move in the future..another bad move from the f.o.
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mrwade12@...
02/23/10
4:04 pm ET |
Cowboys fan here paying my respects. Not saying i'm to sad Westy is leaving your team. but i hate that its this way. i know he gave me my share of bad days. hope for you fans mccoy can fill at least half his cleats. and i hope he stays out of our division. couldn't stomach it if he is in one of those other jerseys. like e.smith when he went to the cardinals.
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lissette_n_tavo@...
02/23/10
3:59 pm ET |
I live in DC and they are talking in the Radio about getting him, for the talent that he brings and also he would be playing with his brother. FO bad move :-(
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lissette_n_tavo@...
02/23/10
3:53 pm ET |
WOW, one of the most dangerous and smartest player on the field. He still has alot of football in him. I think the FO made another bad move :-(
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daphillymann
02/23/10
3:46 pm ET |
Lets just hope we don't go from a team that won't run the ball, to one that Can't run the ball.
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Dmac050505
02/23/10
3:39 pm ET |
hopefully this isint another brian dawkins episode... lets hope our stongest position is rb not like last year were we released one of our best defensive players later to discover that would be the position were we needed the most help... i dont like andy reids coaching decisions.. not one bit
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phillyphan547@...
02/23/10
3:36 pm ET |
i will miss wild westbrook very much but i had a feeling this was coming the two concussions have not helped him and i think the eagles are trying to help mccoy become a starter while i am sad to see brian leave i think he'll have a shot playing somewhere else good luck to him in the future
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shawnyer2002@...
02/23/10
3:35 pm ET |
I am extremely disappointed in eagles management. Last time they let a "aging" veteran go it cost us big time(brian dawkins). For once I like to see them make a move that would propel us into the super bowl like the signing of T.O back in 2004. Do they realize we have never won a super bowl.
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aaronchew@...
02/23/10
3:34 pm ET |
THANK YOU WESTBROOK. Never an easy part of the game. I was just watching one of his punt returns against the Giants and thinking about that long run on the screen pass against the Vikings in the playoffs. Westbrook will always be remembered as a stud and gentleman in Philly. Definately make sense from the business side, but what a leadership loss once again. THANK YOU AGAIN WESTBROOK!!!!! Best of luck wherever you go just don't let it be Dallas. Also best wishes health wise.
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jgrace927
02/23/10
3:21 pm ET |
he definately couldve bounced back.... hey maybe he'll go to denver, im sure they could use another RB haha
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woodmontinnervisions@...
02/23/10
3:19 pm ET |
Heart and soul....losing him is again like losing Dawk. It is part of football, this churn. Just wish they had used him right during the end of it all.
Get LT to replace him and throw him the damn ball in that screen set. The two of them were the finest ever backs at catch and run football.
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EaglesINatl
02/23/10
3:08 pm ET |
Maybe they'll resign Reno Mahe? I disagree that Westbrook was holding the team back. I thought they needed to get him the ball more in the playoff game. Eldra Buckley is a BUM and he's on the roster. If they had other options why was Buckley on the squad?
I understand the money thing, but replacing Westbrook is just another thing to add to the laundry list of things the Eagles need to do.
I see it being similar to the O-line moves last year. It 'made sense' to let the old tackles go and the replacements looked great, but look at the disaster that turned out to be.
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eaglesrbetter@...
02/23/10
3:07 pm ET |
tears of joy!
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vs 
