More Whining from Westbrook

[bobbyinlondon]

it's called market value

Teams had a chance to pay him MARKET VALUE during the time he was a RFA. What is the difference in paying a back MARKET VALUE who has 3 years experience in the NFL and giving that team their 1st round pick, or maybe a 2nd AND 3rd round pick as compensation, or drafting a complete unknown and lavishing millions on them? Right now, Miami and Chicago are looking foolish for drafting Brown and Benson as their holdouts have apparently retarded their growth. Various media outlets are saying JJ Arrington is already displaying a complete lack of wanting to take punishment--I guess my question for all of those who think Westbrook deserves millions more than the Eagles want to pay him, is WHY DIDN'T THESE TEAMS SIGN HIM WHEN THEY HAD THE CHANCE?

name me ONE restricted free agent that changed teams this year

There weren't any THIS YEAR--but I'm saying, the opportunity was there.

[Rome]

But what cracks me up is the folks who think that because he isn't signed now he's not going to be signed. Did I miss something? It ain't the off-season yet and it hasn't even hit the deadline to use this years cap money.

But, but, but... they haven't signed him yet so (1) the front office is cheap, (2) Banner & Reid are deliberately not paying him because their intention is to hurt the team and (3) the sky is falling!

[bobbyinlondon]

it's called market value

Teams had a chance to pay him MARKET VALUE during the time he was a RFA. What is the difference in paying a back MARKET VALUE who has 3 years experience in the NFL and giving that team their 1st round pick, or maybe a 2nd AND 3rd round pick as compensation, or drafting a complete unknown and lavishing millions on them? Right now, Miami and Chicago are looking foolish for drafting Brown and Benson as their holdouts have apparently retarded their growth. Various media outlets are saying JJ Arrington is already displaying a complete lack of wanting to take punishment--I guess my question for all of those who think Westbrook deserves millions more than the Eagles want to pay him, is WHY DIDN'T THESE TEAMS SIGN HIM WHEN THEY HAD THE CHANCE?

Yeah, but Tampa looks brilliant for drafting Brown's backup.

Cadillac Williams was THE STARTER at Auburn, not Brown.

[SunMo]

There weren't any THIS YEAR--but I'm saying, the opportunity was there.

yes, but my point was that every team values draft picks too much to give them up.  nobody ever signs a transition player, franchise player, or hardly ever sign a restricted free agent.

[Rome]

Westbrook is complaining now because his worst fear is no deal will get done and he'll get the franchise tagged slapped on him next year, which, I believe, is the most likely scenario.

They're not going to franchise him, Larry. 

They've shown that they're not willing to pay him the average of the top five backs in the league under any circumstances, so why would they slap the tag on him?  I mean, if their intention is to arrange a trade, I could see it but if their intention would be to actually pay him that kind of dough - no.

[Larry]

Name me ONE restricted free agent that changed teams this year

There weren't any THIS YEAR--but I'm saying, the opportunity was there.

No one will go after our RFAs because we have so much cap room, it's a fruitless exercise.

[Larry]

Westbrook is complaining now because his worst fear is no deal will get done and he'll get the franchise tagged slapped on him next year, which, I believe, is the most likely scenario.

They're not going to franchise him, Larry. 

They've shown that they're not willing to pay him the average of the top five backs in the league under any circumstances, so why would they slap the tag on him?  I mean, if their intention is to arrange a trade, I could see it but if their intention would be to actually pay him that kind of dough - no.

They'll franchise him because the possibility of losing both Owens and Westbrook next year would be too much.

And since we always carry a boat load of cap room, the tag amount would not be a hinderance as it is to other teams.

[Rome]

Why would they lose T.O.?  He's under contract for 5 more years after next year.

Phreak's right.  They will sign Westbrook so all this hand-wringing is pointless.

[ice grillin you]

But what cracks me up is the folks who think that because he isn't signed now he's not going to be signed. Did I miss something? It ain't the off-season yet and it hasn't even hit the deadline to use this years cap money

i have no problem with not having signed him yet...or waiting till after the season...but as i said the whole time they never should have let simon go if this is the case

He won't be nearly as productive on half-2/3 of the teams out there

this is not a valid argument...he doesnt care how productive he will be on another team...its a factor all things considered equal but when the money isnt equal in his mind he doesnt give a damn about a system

Teams had a chance to pay him MARKET VALUE during the time he was a RFA

market value doesnt exists when the cost to the team is multiple first rounds picks


i have a question for everyone...would you sign westbrook today for the exact same contract as jordan got??

[rjs246]

Why would they lose T.O.?  He's under contract for 5 more years after next year.

Yeah. Right. TO's totally not going anywhere. They're definitely going to pay him his massive bonus and put up with his horseshtein for the long run. Definitely.

[rjs246]

i have a question for everyone...would you sign westbrook today for the exact same contract as jordan got??

No. And I wouldn't have signed Jordan to that contract either.

[jeffreyjpa]

I'm not so sure the Eagles consider Westbrook to be as indispensible as most of the fans do. They're making him what they consider to be a "fair" offer, because they most likely don't expect him to be an effective player in the NFL after 2-3 more seasons, based on his size, durability, and position. That's why Larry's franchise tag scenario looms largely if he doesn't extend...lock him up for one more season, with no future cap ramifications.

If Moats does get on the field later this season and produces when Westbrook inevitably misses a few games, then he is going to be in some serious negotiating trouble.

But, like Phreak said, until the deadline passes for the Eagles to extend and count money towards the 2005 cap, I'm not paying much attention to this issue. Westy should either sign the deal, or stop entertaining questions from the media about it. So far, his production looks on par with last season. If the Eagles passing offense is rolling, he makes huge contributions. If they can't pass, he doesn't give them a viable rushing attack alternative, it's not his strength.

[SunMo]

i have a question for everyone...would you sign westbrook today for the exact same contract as jordan got??

No. And I wouldn't have signed Jordan to that contract either.

why?  it's not like it's your money

[rjs246]

Great point.

[SunMo]

Great point.

i agree.