Sign Brian Westbrook. Get a deal done that was fair to the player as well as a solid in-the-market contract.

How many twists and turns did it take? Several. The Eagles opened conversations with Westbrook long ago and only on Sunday did the negotiation finish: Westbrook got a five-year extension through 2005 and, yeah, the timing was impeccable and yeah, it's a huge, huge move for all parties.

By locking in Westbrook, the Eagles obviously secured another piece of the puzzle. He's a dynamic player for the Eagles, a matchup headache for defenses, a player still very much in his prime who will be here for five more seasons.

The were several sticking points throughout the negotiation. The Eagles wanted to keep Westbrook, but how you qualify him for a contract? A workhorse running back? No, that's not Westbrook, not necessarily. A third-down back with versatile skills? No, that doesn't do Westbrook justice.

A multi-dimensional weapon who has been and should continue to be extraordinarily productive? Bingo ... compared to ... whom, exactly?

That was the issue, the reason the deal was so involved. To whose contract do you compare Westbrook?

In the end, the Eagles and agent Fletcher Smith arrived at a common ground and that's all that matters. It's a big-time move for the present and future of this team on the football field. It provides a surge of momentum heading into this game against Washington.

The Eagles wanted Westbrook and he wanted them, and both sides made that clear for many months. When you have mutual interest, you find a way.

In don't know the implications within the locker room, but I hope anybody who doubts the Eagles -- whether the doubters are players, fans, media, whomever -- understand the ways of this organization Team President Joe Banner and head coach Andy Reid have been extremely consistent in their outline for success and the implementation of that play from day one of Reid's regime.

The Eagles want to keep their good players. As this team has gotten better and better, keeping every one of those players has not been possible. In fact, it's impossible, if you take the next couple of years annd some potential contractual questions under consideration.

But Westbrook is one of those players the Eagles wanted to keep and they kept him and everyone wins here, right?

I think Westbrook's value to the Eagles is still fully undefined. He should get 20 touches every game, but how do you do that on a weekly basis and keep him a "secret" weapon? Should he be a 17-rushes-a-game back who also catches five passes? Should the Eagles spot him here and there and attack defenses from every angle with him? Should he carry 22 times each game.

I don't know. Maybe with Terrell Owens out of the immediate offensive picture -- who knows for how long -- Westbrook will benefit more than any other player. Maybe he'll be a No. 1 threat, the guy Reid makes a priority to keep busy on game day.

We'll see. It will develop. Thsi has been one of the most unusual, fast-paced, interesting few days I can remember around the Eagles ... and this gigantic NFC East game isn't even here yet.

All I know is this: We all wanted this deal to get done. You. Me. Everybody. And it got done, a tribute to both the Eagles and Brian Westbrook. They've made the plunge together, and another brick in the wall is secure.