Archive for February, 2010:
Eagles Release Brian Westbrook
Holy crap. More to come.
Press conference at 3 pm.
Westbrook was owed $7.5 million this season.
Westbrook played 8 seasons with the Eagles, amassing nearly 6000 yards rushing, 3790 yards receiving, and 66 offensive touchdowns.
“Brian is one of the greatest Eagles of all-time.” — Reid, today
Vick To Remain With Eagles Into Preseason?
According to Jason LaConfora, that is exactly the case.
Sources from two teams who would be in the market for a quarterback said they don’t expect Vick to be dealt until the preseason. That’s when his value could be enhanced by strong preseason performances, a full offseason of work with his team and injuries/uncertainty at quarterback on other teams.
We’re not necessarily buying it. Sure, the $1.5 mil the Eagles would need to pay Vick to stay around till then isn’t that much money. But the crux of this argument is that the Eagles would be able to get something more valuable to them in July than before the draft.
If teams are as hot on Vick as some would have you believe, then the time to strike is now, before those teams move forward with other plans for their quarterback position.
Andrews Says He’s Flexible
In a surprising and welcome move, Stacy Andrews told Jeff McLane that he would be willing to restructure his deal if the Eagles need him to.
“I would do a minor restructuring of my contract,” Andrews said by telephone. “They want to do an adjustment and we’re willing. Hopefully, we can come to an agreement.”
Andrews said he would be willing to restructure his base salary, but would not “mess with the roster bonus” (over $4 million due to him in a matter of weeks).
This seems like genuine good will from Andrews, but it could also be posturing — not wanting to appear to be inflexible and brutish in public. We’ll see how this shakes out.
[Inquirer] Andrews Would Restructure Deal
Stacy Andrews Probably a Goner
Today we get word that the Eagles will not be retaining the very-well-paid Stacy Andrews unless the lineman is willing to restructure his deal.
Andrews is due over $7 million this season, over $4 million comes only if he’s still on the roster on April 4th.
We are of the belief that Shawn Andrews is almost certainly done in the Eagles organization. It’s not that he’s especially expensive, it’s that his injury issues are so extensive the Birds will simply say he’s not worth even the small risk.
Now, perhaps Stacy believes differently, but since playing with his brother was a big incentive to come to the Birds (yeah, the huge contract didn’t hurt). If the choice is to move elsewhere (in a year with limited free agents available) or stay on in Philly, he may force the Birds to release him.
Eagles Front Office: McNabb and Kolb “Not Available”
Or by it’s alternate definition: You better have a big offer.
According to Sal Paolantonio, the Eagles have told several inquiring teams that neither quarterback is available for trade.
Meanwhile, if you want to see some coverage of the Birds’ quarterbacks from another city’s perspective, there is all sorts of Donovan talk in Denver right now.
Things Are Quiet, But Not For Long
As the hangover from the Super Bowl wears off in New Orleans, the rest of the league is bracing for an uncertain start to the off-season.
Eagles rumors have been quiet, as is usually the case up through the Super Bowl. But things will start to get moving now.
Why? Well, for one, Michael Vick is due his roster bonus on March 5th. It would surprise us (and virtually everyone else) if he stays with the Eagles. So the organization will try and move him before that day.
The Rams reportedly have interest, so things could be heating up on that front very soon.
McDermott Gets a Helper
The Eagles have announced the hiring of Dick Jauron, recently fired by the Bills (as was Bobby April).
Jauron is a veteran coach in this league, having been the head coach or on the staff of the Bills, Lions, Bears, Jaguars, and Packers (we may have missed one as well).
According to Jason LaConfora, his immediate role will be coaching the secondary.
