Pro Football Fan Site

The Eagles are set to release RB Brian Westbrook.

In a perfect world for the Philadelphia Eagles, running back LeSean McCoy would have spent at least two seasons serving as Brian Westbrook‘s understudy. Westbrook, the ultimate professional, wasn’t able to participate in the 2009 training camp at Lehigh but he made sure his roommate, McCoy, knew exactly what was expected of him.



That tutorial program came to an abrupt halt Tuesday when the Eagles announced the release of Westbrook after eight seasons. McCoy will have to take it from here. And honestly, no one should be shocked at the news of Westbrook’s release at age 30. He only played in eight games last season because of two concussions, and his production dipped remarkably when he was on the field. The Eagles owed Westbrook more than $7 million in 2010, and there’s simply no way to justify paying that type of money to a player with so many injury risks.



Westbrook’s career in Philly may have ended abruptly, but he gave the Eagles some brilliant seasons. He doesn’t have a long list of Pro Bowls (two) next to his name but his stamp on the organization is undeniable. For a long stretch, he was the Eagles’ most dangerous weapon. His ability to hurt you as a ball carrier or a receiver made him a rare player in the league. His destruction of the Giants late in the 2008 season — namely Antonio Pierce — caused general manager Jerry Reese to sign free-agent linebacker Michael Boley. Westbrook’s presence alone affected defensive coordinators because they always had to account for him.



Westbrook will think long and hard before putting on his helmet again for another team. He expressed his fear of being affected by head injuries on a long-term basis. That may end up overriding his desire to continue in the NFL. This is a very prideful man, so he’s not going to be happy getting seven or eight touches per game as a third-down back. And it’s hard to imagine a team seeing him as anything more than that given his injury history. The Redskins could give him a spin, but I’m not sure pairing Clinton Portis with Westbrook is a good idea. OK, I know it’s not a good idea.



The Eagles have lost another excellent leader in the locker room. It’s one thing to replace Brian Dawkins and Westbrook on the field, but it’s another to account for their veteran leadership. McCoy showed signs of being a dangerous runner last season — especially when Andy Reid planned for him to be in the lineup. This is, above all, a financial decision but it’s also a statement that McCoy needs to become the focal point of the running game — or what passes for one in Philly.



The Eagles will likely select another running back in April’s draft. And there’s also some veteran options with Chester Taylor and LaDainian Tomlinson. Taylor probably has more in the tank because he hasn’t taken the same type of pounding as Tomlinson. But my best guess is the Eagles will try to find a complementary back to McCoy in the draft. Keep DeSean Jackson‘s former teammate Jahvid Best in mind. Best will have to undergo rigorous medical testing at the combine because of a scary injury that took place last November.



Leonard Weaver‘s ability as a runner and receiver gives the Eagles some flexibility that other teams don’t have. This is a sad day for Eagles fans, but it’s something they had to see coming. The NFL is a young man’s game and we’re hit in the face with that fact every now and then.



Tuesday was one of those days.

The Charlotte Observer has a statement from Julius Peppers in which the defensive end says his goal is to find the right match for his skill set.



At various times in the last year, Peppers and his agent have implied that he wasn’t able to reach his full potential with the Carolina Panthers. That’s no longer an issue because the Panthers announced earlier Tuesday they will not use the franchise tag on Peppers. That means he’ll become a free agent on March 5.



There is no denying Peppers’ skill set is fantastic. He could be a pass rusher in a 4-3 or 3-4 front and the Panthers even have used him on offense a few times throughout the years.



So what teams are likely to come after Peppers? There have been rumblings, mostly from fans with big dreams, about New England, Philadelphia, Dallas and even Oakland. I wouldn’t rule anything out because it only takes one team to make something happen.



But I’m thinking Peppers’ age (30) and the current labor situation might work against him a bit. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, you can rule out any chance of him staying in the NFC South.



The Saints won’t be able to sign him because the rules currently in place eliminate the final four teams from signing unrestricted free agents unless they lose one of their own at a similar price tag. The Saints don’t have any free agents that will be in Peppers’ price range.



I know a lot of Atlanta fans are hoping the Falcons make a play for Peppers. But I don’t see that happening. Yes, they need a pass rusher. But the Falcons truly do believe in building through the draft. General manager Thomas Dimitroff has been using the phrase “fiscally responsible’’ every time he’s asked about how the Falcons will approach free agency. Peppers is a guy with lots of talent, but he’s never been consistently dominant. The Falcons know that. I think that’s part of the reason they’ll stay clear of him.



The Buccaneers? Come on. Tampa Bay isn’t exactly known for spending big on free agents and, despite the fact that Florida doesn’t have a state income tax, Peppers isn’t likely to be interested in the Bucs. He’s spent his entire career trying to duck the spotlight in Charlotte. Why would he go to a team like the Bucs where he’d stick out more than he ever did with the Panthers?

The Philadelphia Eagles have released two-time Pro Bowl running back Brian Westbrook.

In addition to the Lions, the other three teams in the draft’s top-four are reportedly angling to trade down this year.

Jay Feely is coming off one of the greatest seasons by a New York Jets kicker.

Scott Boehm/Getty ImagesKicker Jay Feely hopes to remain with the Jets.

He doesn’t want it to be his last for them.



The Jets on Tuesday signed free-agent kicker Nick Folk to a one-year deal. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re willing to part with Feely, but they at least have a backup plan in case Feely finds an offer to his liking on the open market.



The thing is, Feely isn’t interested in shopping for a new team. He’d prefer to remain with the Jets and sign a contract before the free-agency period begins.



“I’d love to get back there,” Feely said from his home in Plantation, Fla. “We have had negotiations and discussions, and they were very pleasant, very positive. They’re very pleased with how I kicked over the past couple years and the leadership I showed. [Special teams coordinator] Mike Westhoff and I got along great. It’s just a matter of coming to an agreement on a contract.”



As for the Folk signing, Feely wasn’t offended. Kickers sometimes are signed for offseason purposes and can be cast aside easily.



“They’re being prudent,” Feely said.



The Folk acquisition is peculiar because he’s coming off a disastrous season in which the Cowboys waived him two games before the playoffs. He missed a kick in each of his final six games with Dallas, the last straw a botched 24-yard attempt against the New Orleans Saints in Week 15.



Folk made 18 of his 28 field-goal attempts. His 64.3 percent success rate was third-lowest of anybody who attempted a kick. He had only three games where he was perfect on multiple tries. Folk was 6 of 14 from 40 yards and farther.



With a defense-first philosophy, Jets head coach Rex Ryan needs to be able to rely on his kicker to win close games. Three Jets games were decided by three or fewer points last season. Five were decided by five or fewer.



Feely ranks third among all kickers in scoring since 2001. He posted the third-highest-scoring season for a Jets kicker with 122 points. Feely set a club record by making 24 straight field goals and tied a team record with a 55-yarder in Week 8.



Feely converted 30 of his 36 attempts, ranking 17th among regulars with at 83.3 percent. Three of his misses, however, came in a heartbreaking, three-point loss to the Atlanta Falcons that seemed to end the Jets’ playoff hopes in Week 15. One was blocked because of an errant snap, and another suffered from a bad hold.



He made 12 of 15 attempts from 40 yards and out.

The Philadelphia Eagles have released 30-year-old running back Brian Westbrook. Arguably the best running back in franchise history, Westbrook was a vital part of the Eagles’ success last decade.

Westbrook

He suffered two concussions in ’09 and has talked about being worried about his long-term health. But I wouldn’t expect any type of retirement announcement in the near future. Westbrook will one day retire as an Eagle, but he’ll likely try to sign with another team. The Eagles are probably doing him a favor (much like what the Chargers did for LaDainian Tomlinson) by releasing him this early in the offseason.



There was at least one report in Philadelphia that Westbrook wouldn’t be able to pass another team’s physical because of a past knee injury. That report was disputed by Westbrook and his representatives. Eagles coach Andy Reid will meet with reporters at 3 pm ET.



But no matter what the future holds, Westbrook has been a huge part of the Eagles organization. He wasn’t as beloved as Brian Dawkins, but fans appreciated the way he played through injuries while putting up huge numbers.



He caused teams such as the Giants to go out and sign players specifically to cover him. Whether or not this is the end of the road for Westbrook, he’ll be considered one of the best players to ever play for the Eagles. Sad day in Philly.

It is a historic time in the AFC West. The release of San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson is a big deal.



Yes, we knew it was coming, and yes, Tomlinson is no longer a top back, but his departure from San Diego has to be a time of reflection. To mark Tomlinson’s release, I’m listing my top five running backs who spent the bulk of their career in the AFC West:



1. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego: This is not a courtesy pick. Tomlinson was a dominant player. He compiled 12,490 rushing yards in nine seasons. He is eighth on the NFL’s all-time rushing list. He is among the league leaders on several other record lists. In his prime, he was among the best players in the league. He’s the best running back ever to play in this division.



2. Marcus Allen, Los Angeles Raiders and Kansas City: Allen was a special player, especially for the Raiders. He was a key to a Raiders Super Bowl team and he was a game changer. His 12,243 career rushing yards are 12th on the league’s all-time list.



3. Terrell Davis, Denver: Davis only played from 1995-2001 in a career that was cut short by injuries, but he made the most of it. He had 7,607 career rushing yards. He was a catalyst to Denver’s two Super Bowl championships. When he was in his prime, Davis was unstoppable.



4. Floyd Little, Denver: Little was just elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He played in Denver from 1967-75. He played on several bad teams, but Little was a workhorse who was deserving of his enshrinement in Canton.



5. Priest Holmes, Kansas City: Holmes played in Kansas City from 2001-07. He was dominant in his first three seasons in Kansas City before injuries plagued him. He is the team leader in career rushing yards with 5,933.