The valedictory given running back Brian Westbrook after eight years of exemplary service clocked in at just over 11 minutes yesterday afternoon, not because the Eagles sought to underplay Westbrook’s greatness, but because there really wasn’t that much to say.
Before last season, the Eagles declined to pick up a contract option that would have kept Westbrook under team control through the 2013 season. Without that option, Westbrook’s contract would have ended after the 2010 season. The Eagles were betting then that Westbrook had, at most, two serviceable seasons remaining. As it turned out, he didn’t even have one.
“This is the absolutely worst part of the job, but if you’re fortunate enough to stick around long enough, you’re going to see these things happen,” Reid said.
If you stick around long enough, the prospects you find in the NFL draft will occasionally blossom beyond your most fervent hopes and then, one day, they will wilt and have to be dismissed. That is the story of Westbrook, the 91st pick in the 2002 draft, who went on to set team records for touches (1,734) and yards from scrimmage (9,785).
Do you think this was a good move for the eagles?
Did you seee it coming?
What team do you think will pick him up?
Please comment below…
