Breaking... EDIT: Eagles to cut ties with Westbrook ESPN.com news services The Philadelphia Eagles announced Tuesday they have released two-time Pro Bowl running back Brian Westbrook. A news conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET. "Brian is one of the greatest Eagles of all time and he is an even 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, 30, has been with the Eagles since 2002, when he was drafted in the third round out of Villanova. He is the franchise's all-time leader in yards (9,785). In 2007, he led the league with 2,104 yards, and scored 12 touchdowns. But Westbrook was able to play in only eight games this past season after suffering two concussions in just three weeks. The first came Oct. 26, against the Washington Redskins. He sat out two games, then was injured again, on Nov. 15, against San Diego, when he got sandwiched between a blocker and a tackler on a screen play. This time, he was held out for five weeks before returning for the Dec. 27 game against the Denver Broncos. Westbrook acknowledged in early December that he had returned too soon from the first concussion. He finished the season with just two touchdowns, 274 rushing yards and 181 yards receiving. "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."
I had a great idea once. Waiting for Lil Pun to comment here about his beloved team. I have to agree that he should probably just retire, his health has suffered enough already. Tomlinson should probably retire too, but rather because he isn't nearly the player he was.
Very underrated, imo. However, he is done like dinner now. Somebody put him in padded room so he doesn't hurt himself.
He did more than run the ball. A lot more. Probably the best "all-purpose" running back of the decade, shy of Marshall Faulk. He was, at his worst, a rich man's Warrick Dunn. (another underrated guy)
As a Cowboys fan I'm glad he's been cut. Sucks for him though. Hate to see injuries kill a career like they did his. When he was healthy the dude was a stud.
I've like Brian Westbrook and as great as it was to watch him play I hope for his longterm health he retires.
Wrong as usual. The biggest reason the Eagles went to 4 consecutive Conf Champ Games. Great pass catcher, runner and had a great nose for the goalline.
Westbrook is what i thought Reggie Bush would be like (minus the chronic injuries) The guy was the all purpose back that any team would love, he just couldnt stay healthy.
To be fair to WB, he always had sprains and concussions... which are pretty much guaranteed to happen when you're the *only* weapon a team has... AND a runningback... plus he often played through it.
I can't say I am surprised by this move considering the amount of money that was owed to Westbrook next season. I don't think the Eagles are really doing this for the sake of him either, they're doing it to protect their bottom line. It's one of the things they are known for around the league, cutting ties with aging/injured players no matter how good/beloved they are. I'll miss him and although I like McCoy I don't ever think he'll reach Westbrook's level of success.
