Predict The Date/Time That Westbrook Receives His Contract Extension.

[PhillyPhreak54]

I still hate the whole public contract negotiations. I can't stand to hear athletes bitching (right or wrong) about their pay. Even if I'm unhappy in my real life job I don't tell everyone about it. And I have no sympathy for a rich person whining about their money.

However, I still think the Eagles would be royally, royally farging up if they let him go. I bought into most of their other decisions, but I said this last year too - they need to sign Brian Westbrook long term. Get the fargin thing done. Period.

From today's Inky:

"When you're talking 3, 4, 5 million dollars, that is a big difference," he said. "I was a third-round pick, so I didn't get $12 million to sign. I got chump change to sign. I've been here for three years, I've contributed to a Super Bowl team, and I think, at this point, I have to find a way to make some money."

The curse of being a middle-round pick is that a player does not get a huge signing bonus. After three seasons in the NFL, Westbrook had made about $1.3 million. With the $1.43 million he is scheduled to make this year, he will have made $2.73 million after four seasons. Cornerback Lito Sheppard, the Eagles' first pick the same year Westbrook was drafted, made $3,725,000 as a rookie.

While the Eagles want to sign Westbrook to an extension, they have a figure that they think he is worth and they are not likely to deviate too far from it, which is why this saga still has a chance to end in a football divorce after this season.

A team source said last month that the Eagles had offered Westbrook a signing bonus of about $9 million, with the first three years of the proposed deal being worth $13 million. The same source said yesterday that the Eagles had improved that offer.

If Westbrook is saying the sides are at least $3 million apart, it means that he wants a three-year deal worth at least $16 million. That's what LaMont Jordan, a running back who had been with the New York Jets, got from the Oakland Raiders as a free agent during the off-season, and Westbrook can easily argue that he has a better resume.

The Eagles compare Westbrook to Houston's Domanick Davis, a 5-foot-9, 221-pound tailback who recently signed a four-year deal that is believed to be worth $12 million over the first three seasons

They're offering him a fair deal. $9M to sign is more than I thought he'd be offered. But if he wants $10M...give him $10M. Get it done.

And for Gods sake pro athletes...shut up about your "plight". It is getting old.

[ice grillin you]

I don't agree with him going public just like I didn't agree with TO's stance. But they need to pay Westbrook

he went public when he didnt show up for camp...what he said the other day was insignificant


the problem with the eagles front office is their god complex...they think they can create their own rules and slot players...and they can to a certain extent...but at some point you have to factor in the other teams rules and pay your player based somewhat on his position around the league...

the birds have for the most part been successful with their plan b's...but eventually youre going to have trotter situations crop up again..where the player(s) you replace the lost player with arent as good...whats going to happen here is westbrook will be required to sign the eagles slot rb price...and when he refuses...they are going to be eff you...moats is our plan b...and moats isnt going to be nearly as good

when ill really lose it though is if they dont get westbrook done early in the year...what is the friggin point of releasing simon then using his money to sign westbrook after the season...because simon was on a one year tender his money comes off the books immediately after the year...so you could have had him this season then still signed westbrook...but if they lose simon for this year and then lose westbrook next year they should be hung

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

I actually agree that Westbrook deserves a little extra for ridiculously outperforming his rookie contract.

$10 million bonus?  Yes, he's earned that.

$15-16 million total over the first 3 years of the contract?  Yes, he's earned that.


If that's what it will take to get it done, I believe the Eagles should and will do that.  Basically, it's Lamont Jordan money with a bigger signing bonus (because Westbrook has proven himself and produced for this team already at a very high level, whereas Jordan was more of an unknown) and slightly less money in the first 3 years... because giving that much up-front is much more valuable to the player anyway.

[PhillyPhreak54]

IGY,

It's not just the Eagles, bro. It is the NFL way of doing business. Every team does stuff like this. The Eagles are certainly more shrewd than others, but the fact is that every one of the 32 teams pulls this stuff.

I admire the way they do business though. I like being a fan of a team who doesn't blow their wads on crummy players and then sit in cap hell for years (TEN) or teams who stupidly blow their wads on zesty player (WAS).

But they need to get Westbrook done. I think they will. I think there is a negotiating ploy taking place by Westbrook/Smith walking away from the table. I think they'll get it done by the deadline to use cap money this year (OCT).

But they better get it done. The man is too important to the success of this team to brush him off.

[ice grillin you]

i dont think that its only about the sb and the yearly avg's

with what happened with the TO deal last year...i have a feeling the eagles are putting all kinds of little clauses in the deal...probably to protect themselves from an injury...but i bet they are clauses that no one else in the league ever asks a player to sign

granted TO signed the deal on his own...but i can guarantee you the image portrayed around the league is that banner hoodwinked him...and to watch out for fine print in eagle contracts

the fact is because of the way the eagles work there is absolutely no trust btwn their FO and players/agents around the league

[Rome]

Interesting how everyone here mocks the taterskins for overpaying like iceholes yet whenever one of ours wants to get overpaid, you immediately bitch about the front office not giving in and being cheap.

Newsflash:  They know more than you so shut your faceholes.  If they think Westbrook is worth "X" then that's what he's worth and no amount of caterwauling on your part is going to change that.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

I think that the Eagles know exactly what Westbrook is worth and he will get that.

I also think they haven't yet put that offer on the table.

[PhillyPhreak54]

Washington overpays for bums (Sanders, George, Bruce Smith, Santana Moss, etc.)

Philadelphia never overpays. It's time to take a chance on a guy who is worth it. If this was a guy who isn't worth it I wouldn't be hollering about it.

[MURP]

i have a feeling the eagles are putting all kinds of little clauses in the deal...probably to protect themselves from an injury...but i bet they are clauses that no one else in the league ever asks a player to sign

where does that info come from?

[ice grillin you]

It's not just the Eagles, bro. It is the NFL way of doing business. Every team does stuff like this. The Eagles are certainly more shrewd than others, but the fact is that every one of the 32 teams pulls this stuff

i dont think anyone slots players like the eagles do...until that banner interview...i believe it was before the steeler game...id never heard of that from anyone before in the nfl...and when he said it it sounded real good...on the face of it it makes sense...but at some point you have to come off that...and i dont believe the eagles do/will

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

where does that info come from?

Dude, he has a feeling.  Don't question the innate ability.  Knowledge is king, and he's in the throne.


HOLLA

[PhillyPhreak54]

It's not just the Eagles, bro. It is the NFL way of doing business. Every team does stuff like this. The Eagles are certainly more shrewd than others, but the fact is that every one of the 32 teams pulls this stuff

i dont think anyone slots players like the eagles do...until that banner interview...i believe it was before the steeler game...id never heard of that from anyone before in the nfl...and when he said it it sounded real good...on the face of it it makes sense...but at some point you have to come off that...and i dont believe the eagles do/will

I recall hearing an interview awhile back from another GM that said that his team also had salary slots for players. I do not recall who it was because it was in a magazine about two years ago. But it stuck out to me because it was similar to what the Eagles did. I think it might've been Rich McKay when he was the Bucs GM, but not sure.

[ice grillin you]

Dude, he has a feeling.  Don't question the innate ability.  Knowledge is king, and he's in the throne.


HOLLA

listen to this man


Newsflash:

i thought it was a mass fax??

They know more than you so shut your faceholes.  If they think Westbrook is worth "X" then that's what he's worth and no amount of caterwauling on your part is going to change that.

thats fine and dandy....but moats better be as good as westbrook

[Mad-Lad]

Brian's claiming that defensive coordinators label him as the guy they have to game plan against on a week-by-week basis.  It's a good thing TO isn't good enough.  It scares me if LJ has a huge year.  He'll be the next delusional player thinking the offense revolves around him and he'll want Jeebus money.  Fun.

[Rome]

I think that the Eagles know exactly what Westbrook is worth and he will get that.

I also think they haven't yet put that offer on the table.