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Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb expressed his thoughts on a smart-phone video this afternoon:

McNabb

“A great player, a great leader and a hard worker,” McNabb said. “[I hope] for nothing but good things for him for the rest of his life. I’ve talked to him on many occasions and he can continue to play this game and play it at a high level, so good luck to Brian. I know this is a down day for all of us because he is a great friend of mine, but I know things will work out for him.”



When the Eagles released linebacker Jeremiah Trotter a few years ago, McNabb used the occasion to grouse about management. But given his present contract situation, I don’t think McNabb will go that route this time around. And by the way, it’s hard for me to imagine LaDainian Tomlinson and Westbrook in different uniforms. It’s almost like seeing Emmitt Smith in a Cardinals jersey.

Eagles coach Andy Reid met with reporters in South Philly Tuesday to discuss the release of running back Brian Westbrook. He obviously spent a lot of time praising Westbrook, but he does think the Eagles will have enough leaders in the locker room to account for the running back’s release.



“Well, Donovan [McNabb] is obviously here,” said Reid. “We’ve got young guys that I think are good leaders also. We’re okay there. That’s not what I’m worried about. I will tell you Brian, I think, is a tremendous leader. He does it a little different way that he’s quiet, he does it by example. He was never afraid to speak up if he saw something that he knew wasn’t about the team.”



Who are those young leaders you think Reid was talking about?

Prosecutors say a New Year’s Day celebration in which revelers at a nightclub were sprayed with champagne led a disrespected gang member to fire indiscriminately into a limousine, killing Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams and injuring two others.

I suppose we can’t suggest LaDainian Tomlinson as a possible replacement for Chester Taylor without also adding Brian Westbrook to the list.

Tomlinson

Westbrook

Above all else, I believe Minnesota wants to re-sign Taylor before the free-agent market opens. But if Taylor decides to test his value elsewhere — a respectable decision given the relatively few miles on his 31-year-old legs — the Vikings will need a backup/third-down back behind Adrian Peterson.



Tomlinson, who has averaged almost 60 receptions per season in his career, would be one option. Westbrook, whom the Eagles informed would be released Tuesday, would be another.



Westbrook would have the advantage of familiarity with Vikings coach Brad Childress, his offensive coordinator in Philadelphia from 2002 to 2005. But he also comes with more medical baggage than Tomlinson, who has missed only three games in his career.



There is no doubt Childress has an affinity for early-decade Eagles players and staffers. He hired defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier in part because of his time in Philadelphia from 1999 to 2001. The Vikings’ athletic training and strength/conditioning staffs were once based in Philadelphia, and the Vikings have signed several former Eagles players — Billy McMullen, Artis Hicks, Koy Detmer, Todd Pinkston and Greg Lewis among them. In 2007, meanwhile, the Vikings pursued free agent quarterback A.J. Feeley.



I’m sure Childress would like to have a healthy Westbrook on his team. But does Westbrook have a clean bill of health? At this point, the answer is uncertain.

Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson has pleaded guilty to a DUI charge and was sentenced to four days in jail and five years of probation.

Free agent Darren Sharper interprets the Saints’ decision not to use the franchise tag on him as a sign that they are ready to move on without him.

The Carolina Panthers have decided the price is too steep to keep their all-time sacks leader.