Last year, Eagles running back Brian Westbrook wanted a new contract. So he fired his agent, hired a new one, and worked out a six-year deal that was characterized at the time as a three-year, $21 million contract with $13 million guaranteed.
Sure, it also covered 2011, 2012, and 2013. But, as the AP correctly explained it, the contract was never going to last beyond 2010.
Today, John Clayton of ESPN.com reported that the Eagles have chose not to pick up a $7 million option bonus that would have been due in 2010.
As a result, Westbrook’s deal now runs through 2010.
Just like, as a practical matter, it already did.
But what of the option bonus? It disappeared as part of an affirmative renegotiation, which increased the base salary in 2009 from $4 million to $5.85 million and the base salary in 2010 from $1 million to $7.25 million.
So, basically, the $7 million option bonus was offset by an $8.1 million increase in base salary. (Of course, $6.25 million of the increased base salary it isn’t guaranteed. But the option bonus wasn’t either.)
As to the contention that Westbrook is now under contract through 2010, the broader point is that the Eagles might decide not to pay an aging tailback with an ever-growing injury history a base salary of $7.25 million next year.
But the benefit for Westbrook is that, if he’s cut, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent in a season that is on track to have no salary cap.
That said, the Eagles can hold his rights until the day before their first game in 2010, cut him, and owe him nothing. Such a move would put him on the market long after the big money had been spent.
And if you don’t think the Eagles would do that, Jeremiah Trotter and Corey Simon would likely disagree.
Did they cut Brian Dawkins, or did his contract just expire?
Florio, you don’t get to make stuff up.
Corey Simon refused to sign his franchise tender offer…so the Eagles cut him. He then signed with Indianapolis and ate his way out of the NFL….but go ahead and blame the Eagles for that..Trotter wanted more money than he was worth and exchanged words with Reid. The Eagles then cut him…then he signed an above market contract with Washington got hurt and was released…and then he begged back to Philly.
You can’t be ripping LT for being a 30 year old running back in one column and then rip the Eagles for protecting themselves against the production loss of a 30 year old running back in the next column.
Florio, what is it with your love affair and the Philadelphia Eagles???
I know it is closing in on Halloween but damn have you had your cauldron stirring stick out in full force this year.
This article is the epitome of NOTHING. Everyone across the NFL will be screwing players left and right if it becomes an uncapped year. Just goes to show that you are probably a Redskins fan in hiding, just waiting to jab at anything Philadelphia does or remotely resembles a story for your rumor mill.
“And if you don’t think the Eagles would do that, Jeremiah Trotter and Corey Simon would likely disagree.”
***
Yeah, this is situation is similiar… (/sarcasm).
I wonder if Westbrook knew that this was the deal when they signed it….
Eagles suck and Westbrook will be injured by week 10..nothing new here
Weak effort.
The Eagles make basically the same sort of moves that most good franchises make.
There is NO story here.
You “could be done” in NY in 2009.
This just in:
Joe Montana, Rod Woodson. Emmitt Smith, Franco Harris, Bruce Smith, etc, etc, didn’t finish their hall of fame careers with the teams that drafted them.
Brian Dawkins doing just fine in Mile High for the Denver Broncos.
Thanks
Everyone loves talking about McNabb and Westbrook being injury prone.
Where is the article about Felix Jones? Injury prone in college and the pros. At least the Eagles have gotten production out of Westbrook.
Eagles defense with 7 turnovers and a shalacking – whats with your Brian Dawkins point?
McNabb and Westbrook to Vikings for Jackson, Taylor and Allen.
Nope, the Vikings wouldn’t be interested.
I see Westbrook being a Patriot next year.
McNabb, maybe a Viking but not through a trade like that. Philly will have to cut him, nobody will trade anything of value for him at this point in his career. He’ll be in Favre’s boat with everyonhe doubting him due to age and injuries and his pouting to the Iggles.
Keep in mind that Favre signed a two year deal.
McNabb would have to settle for a back-up role.
“This article is the epitome of NOTHING.”
Well said theron2666. This jackass is just flappin his lip so he can say to his boss that he’s done somethin today… always tryin to create some crap in Philly.