Westbrook fires agent Fletcher Smith

[The BIGSTUD]

Les Bowen said he wants 30 million guaranteed over the remainder of his contract, not through an extension.

[RezRob]

For some reason I have a hard time imagining him wearing cowboy boots.

Does this help?

[SD_Eagle5]

Gargano: Westbrook Wants $30 Million From Eagles

Last Edited: Monday, 21 Jul 2008, 8:11 AM EDT
Created: Monday, 21 Jul 2008, 8:11 AM EDT

Forget Lito Sheppard. Anthony Gargano says the Philadelphia Eagles and star running back Brian Westbrook are at least $15 million apart in contract talks.

Westbrook is expected to report to Eagles' training camp at Lehigh University this week, but he has a new agent and wants to be paid as much as Chargers' star LaDanien Tomlinson, said Gargano on an interview on "Good Day Philadelphia."

Westbrook is the Eagles' top player and arguably the best all-around running back in the NFL.

But he has a history of injuries, which led the Eagles to drag out Westbrook's most recent contract.

Gargano said the Eagles were offering $15 million in guaranteed money to Westbrook, while his agent was asking for $30 million.

Also, Gargano said that the Eagles were in the last-minute bidding fir defensive end Jason Taylor, who was traded to the taterskins on Sunday night.

The Dolphins reportedly wanted a second round and fifth round draft pick from the Eagles, who balked at the offer.

Taylor was send to Washington for a second round and fifth round draft pick from the taterskins.

Link

[SunMo]

if the eagles balked at the final offer, they weren't in the last minute bidding

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

All that means is that they called the Eagles trying to get them to beat the offer.  Most teams will make a few calls before pulling the trigger on a trade.


As for Westbrook, I think my poll predicts the future.  He'll get more like $20 million guaranteed.  Mostly, he won't get the $30 million, because he can't even find an agent that will agree to try to get it.

[ice grillin you]

All that means is that they called the Eagles trying to get them to beat the offer.  Most teams will make a few calls before pulling the trigger on a trade.

especially teams in the division...dolphins definitely called all the skins nfc east rivals

[PhillyPhreak54]

The Dolphins could have asked for more probably. The Skins were in no bargaining position with Daniels and that other cat going down within minutes of each other.

[ice grillin you]

you think they settled?...of course they asked for more...they def asked for a one from the skins

if lil danni would only offer a 2nd and a 6th then the next best offer around the league was probably just a 5th

[PhillyPhreak54]

I would have hard-balled them if I were Parcells.

Hold onto Taylor like gold until Danny is ready to come off of 2 2's or a 2 and a 3.

[PhillyPhreak54]

Which one of you guys caught what DGunn had to say about this on CSN?

I read on the EMB that he said the Eagles offered to shift money around from back to front and/or offered top 5 money but no more years (essentially a raise).

Whats the real truth to the report?

[ice grillin you]

the eagles have to overpay...westbrook has been so greatly underpaid while the eagles have renogotiated in his face with people like reggie brown that its time to pay the reaper in regards to westbrook


this is the end result of years of jerking people...why the hell would 36 even consider meeting in the middle

[Diomedes]

because he's almost 30
and injured a lot
and wants to play

the Eagles have a fair amount of leverage to press for a less than 30M guarantee

[ice grillin you]

age is irrelevant here because he wants to be paid not just for the future but for services already rendered

the injury thing is way overplayed...what has he missed like three games due to injury in the last three years?


i do agree on the leverage part...the eagles have the ultimate leverage in that hes under contract...that is until and if he gets to the point of a holdout...

then they have to decide whats more important paying their best player or winning games

this is also bigger than westbrook...this goes to the future of the eagles and their reputation in dealing with players...that rep is pretty much in the sewer right now and imo it would be worth overpaying for westbrook to start repairing some of that damage

[Diomedes]

age is relevant to the FO...giving Westbrook a pile of money won't make him 25 again
so are injuries, which don't typically decrease with age
team reputation is not important to them, obviously...they appear to take the attitude that the NFL is the only game in town and if you wanna play you'll take the deal they offer; it's not about winning games it's about making money, and there's plenty of talent around to ensure that without going crazy for an old, oft injured RB

just laying out their side...I don't see them giving Westbrook 30M, even with a holdout

[SunMo]

Howard was harping on the fact that the Eagles offered him the maximum they could possibly offer allowed by the CBA.  Obviously that's coming from Banner, but I almost believe it.