Updated: 49ers Sign Brian Westbrook (update on Post #68)

Ehhhhh, I think Westbrook would be another liability. We have plenty of Running backs that haven't played a full season in a while, for various reasons. Westbrook is ALWAYS hurt, no matter what guarantees him or his agent give.

good place as any:

Redskins Insider - Clinton Portis, in shape and motivated, will enter camp determined (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/clinton-portis/clinton-portis-in-shape-and-mo.html)

I think we will be fine with the running game. Smoot has me expecting Ryan Torrain to have 1900 yards, but these "old" guys have shown they know how to get it done, and I think the Shanahans will make it happen.

I think Brian Westbrook blew his opportunity to sign on with a team, and now, will have to wait to see what opens up as preseason gets rolling.

I really don't want to see this guy die on the field from a hit to the head. I mean honestly I hate saying that, but how much more can his head take?

The fact that MS has shown interest in him tells you he is seeing something he doesnt like. I think if we do get Westbrook, Parker is gone.

The fact that MS has shown interest in him tells you he is seeing something he doesnt like.

I wouldn't go that far.
Westbrook is a known talent who has an injury risk.
If we didn't already have Parker secured, we'd probably have gone after him.
Many thought the guy would retire and didn't want to waste a key roster spot on someone like that...now that we know the guy is all in, we need to take another look...the only problem is we already have 3 experienced backs.
The question is this....what is the gain over a guy like parker...it is not as huge as it would be for some other teams backup RBs.

I personally would prefer Westbrook over Parker...but you never know. Westbrook could be gone after 3 game for his career and a cut parker may be in Philly or something having an insurgence....it is really kind of a risky move, but the upside is high with Westbrook IF he doesn't get injured.

No one wants a player to get seriously injured while on their squad...if it doesn't happen on national tv...it may just happen in practice when he gets rocked by Orakpo....If we get him....we should be VERY careful of how much contact he has outside of game day

Everything I've read says Portis is the "starter" but will primarily be used on 3rd downs. To me, thats a contradiction - If he primarily plays 3rd downs, he's not the starter. LJ makes the most sense to be the primary 1st and 2nd down back. Now, things would get really interesting if we brought westbrook here, since he's also mostly a 3rd down type of back. Either way, looking at our roster I really dont see a reason for willie parker to be here - with or without westbrook.
I don't recall hearing that he'd be used primarily on 3rd downs, just that he'd be the appropriate fit for 3rd down situations due to his blocking ability.

I think Brian Westbrook blew his opportunity to sign on with a team, and now, will have to wait to see what opens up as preseason gets rolling.

I wonder if he's just waiting for a key injury = more money

I wonder if he's just waiting for a key injury = more money

excellent point man, I see him signing within the first week or two of training camp after a few teams see that they have a glaring need and are desperate.

If Westbrook waits any longer, how useful is he going to be at the start of the season? Certainly it is going to take him awhile to get back to "football" speed. Still, I would not mind B.W. being a Redskin.

There will be injuries in our backfield, but the question for BW is, does he wait and miss the prep phase with the new team and offense, or does he sit it out, wait for Portis, LJ or WP to get hurt, and then get a bigger payday, or signed by another team for a higher salary? Also by doing that, it runs the risk of him not getting signed at all as well. Its very risky on his part, cause if he does get signed, it wont be for all that much, and the time missed could mean his production would suffer thru the next season, reaffirming everyones suspicions that his best days are long gone, and he is a HUGE injury Liability. Then there goes a possible multi year contract, and his NFL future is Caput.


Simply stated, if he is so healthy and rearing to go, he should definitely take the best offer he has been given, and prove that he has whatever he says he has on the field, and then POSSIBLY renegotiate in next years off season. Signing now gives him the best chance of increased production, and extending his NFL career........