Westbrook lands with 49ers
Brian Westbrook waited patiently for months waiting for a team that he felt had a chance to win to sign him. He had ducked several offers from several rebuilding teams in order to find a team that had a chance to win this year. At 30-years old, Westbrook has a championship in his mind.
Westbrook found what he was looking for from the San Francisco 49ers. Westbrook took both a pay-cut and a reduced role to go to the 49ers. He will back up Frank Gore and will earn $1.25 million in guaranteed money plus incentives which could bring it up to $2.5 million.
Westbrook brings an added dimension with his receiving abilities out of the backfield. In his eight seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, he set team records for career receptions by a running back (426), receiving yards (3790) and receiving touchdowns (29). He has also led the league among running backs since 2004 with 380 receptions, 3372 receiving yards, 25 receiving touchdowns and 3137 yards after the catch. Having him makes life easier for any quarterback and should help out an underachieving Alex Smith.
"My number one concern throughout the process was going to a winning team, a football team that was coached by a man I respect and a team that had a winning tradition and players that would be able to achieve that," Westbrook said."I think I found all of those things here in San Francisco. It was a long process but in the end I think it turned out well for me."
The 49ers finished 8-8 last season and haven’t made the playoffs in seven years, but things look promising for this year as they have improved tremendously. Westbrook understands his role with the team and accepts that Gore is the number one back.
“Frank's the man," Westbrook said. "He's done tremendous things in the past, Pro Bowls, talented guy and I've respected his game from afar. In Philly, I watched and studied him a whole lot. I'm going to go out there and push him as much as I can, help him as much as I can and I'm sure he'll do the same for me to make me better. Of course he'll be the starter but I'll be the guy right behind him pushing him. Any chance I get, to go out there and make plays."
Westbrook was released by the Eagles last season after some concussion problems plagued his 2009 season. His veteran presence brings some experience to a young 49ers offence and should bring some leadership qualities to the unit. Coach Mike Singletary feels his offence can improve to the level they have thus far failed to reach with the acquisition.
"It's a very young offence. We've got a lot of tools, young guys," Singletary said. "I think he really adds a lot of value in terms of the leadership, the experience, having been a part of good football teams. That adds a lot to our team on the offensive side of the ball."
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