Eagles Sign Westbrook to Extension

The Philadelphia Eagles and their star running back, Brian Westbrook, agreed to a new contract worth $21 million over three years on Friday mere hours before the team kicked off its opening preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Westbrook, who has been to the Pro Bowl twice, has said before that he wanted to redo his contract because he felt underpaid—he wanted a contract similar to the ones the best backs in the NFL have.  And for good reason.

In 15 games last year, Westbrook rushed for 1333 yards on 278 attempts and averaged 4.8 yards per carry.   

Westbrook also led the NFL with 2,104 total yards last season. 

Those stats, along with his 2006 numbers, have made him a consistent top-five pick in fantasy football drafts across the country.  He became the first Eagles running back to run for 1000 yards in back-to-back seasons since Duce Staley did it back in 1998-99, and he had more receptions than any other NFL running back, 90—that accomplishment is a team record, too. 

Westbrook has 6,748 total yards since becoming the starter in 2004, trailing only LaDainian Tomlinson during that time.  Westbrook is also the only active player with more than 20 rushing and receiving touchdowns in that span (27 rushing, 23 receiving).    

Apparently Eagles head coach Andy Reid thinks very highly of Westbrook, too.

Not to mention that Westbrook is the NFL's leading running back in receptions (338), receiving yards (3,121), and touchdown catches since 2003.    

 "As I've said many times, I believe Brian Westbrook is the best running back in football," Reid said. "He can do it all from that position, whether it's running, catching the football or blocking."

Westbrook, 28, was set to earn $3 million in the third year of his five-year, $25 million contract this season.  He also would have been paid $1.5 million as a roster bonus.   

Said Eagles president Joe Banner of the extension, "We're talking about a Hall of Fame-caliber player. This is a premier guy, a leader, a player. He just wants to win so badly, and that is what drove him." 

Source: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/189/story/115085.html