Brian Westbrook has been searching for a new NFL sidelines since being released by the Philadelphia Eagles in February following an injury-plagued season in 2009. Well the Eagle has finally landed; in San Francisco.

Westbrook signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers and with Frank Gore on the roster is expected to lace up the cleats in a back-up role for the team.

Losing out on Westbrook were the St. Louis Rams, Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins.

ESPN was reporting that Adam Schefter obtained details pertaining to the deal and the numbers are in the vicinity of $1.25 million guaranteed with another $1.25 million in incentives.

The 49ers ended last season with an 8-8 record but appears on the cusp of putting together a solid winning season and Westbrook’s decision to join the team may have a lot to do with that.

“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.”

San Francisco Coach Mike Singletary is the man Westbrook was referring to and commented on adding another Pro-Bowl running back to his roster.

“When I talked to Brian Westbrook, I just wanted him to know how much I respected him as a player,” said Singletary. “The more we talked and the possibility of that being able to work out, it was great. But the thing I wanted him to know about our team and about Frank [was] Frank Gore is the guy. Frank Gore is our running back.”

An eight-year veteran, Westbrook brings leadership and experience to the 49ers young locker room. He has 5,995 yards rushing on 1,308 carries 37 TDs in his career and has decent hands too with 426 receptions for 3,790 yards and 29 TDs.

The main question for Westbrook will be if he has fully recovered from the pair of concussions and ankle injury suffered last season, a year where he only found the endzone on two occasions.

“I am fully healthy. Last year was a tough season for me,” Westbrook said. “I spent the whole offseason rehabbing. This year, I’ve been able to spend my whole offseason preparing for a football season. Now that my body is completely healthy, I’m ready to go out there and perform.”

Copyright ©2010 Sports Climax, LLC

NEW YORK – Has there ever been a free agency period in the NFL that has included so many All-Pro, marquee names? The latest to join the group is New York Jets running back, Thomas Jones.

After having a career year and leading the Jets AFC-best rushing attack, Jones will be released on Friday when NFL 2010 free agency begins.

Jones who is coming off his best year as a pro, would have been due $5.8 million for this upcoming year, a salary that included a $3 million bonus.

The Jets attempted to restructure his contract but Jones declined to take a pay cut. It’s hard to blame him since last year while playing for only $900,000, he maintained a great attitude and produced strong numbers for the team while patiently waiting for this higher-structured year to arrive.

Jones, 31-years-old, set career highs of 1,402 yards on the ground and 14 touchdowns leading his team to the AFC championship game against Indianapolis.

Also a leader in the locker room, he was voted the team’s most inspirational player by his teammates on two separate occasions.

Jones joins several other marquee names in his position that are joining the free agent market. San Diego cut LaDainian Tomlinson, the Philadelphia Eagles released Brian Westbrook, the Cleveland Browns sent Jamal Lewis packing and Minnesota Vikings Chester Taylor is out in the open market.

Another potential free agent expecting to create a buzz may be Terrell Owens who is leaving the Buffalo Bills after just one season.

T.O. was productive in the cold while playing for a struggling franchise known for a weak passing game (25th in the NFL last season). He caught 55 passes for 829 yards, taking 5 to the house.

On the defensive side of the ball names like Julius Peppers, Aaron Kampman and the Chicago Bears Adewale Ogunleye are expected to be available for bid starting March 5th.

Copyright © 2010 – Sports Climax^TM

PHILADELPHIA – The incredible era of Brian Westbrook donning Philly green is over.

Just days after the San Diego Chargers released their former All-Pro running back LaDainian Tomlinson, the Philadelphia Eagles followed that lead and sent theirs packing as well.

Westbrook, the Eagles franchise-leading running back was cut Tuesday after a record-setting run that also included a laundry list of injuries.

Over his 8 years in Philly, Westbrook compiled a team record 9,785 yards from scrimmage including 5,995 yards on the ground and had 426 receptions for another 3,790 yards. He also scored 68 TDs.

A dependable back for much of his career, Westbrook surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark 20 times in during his career; tying for second-most in Eagle history.

This decision is believed to be influenced by two factors, one he spent eight games on the sidelines with head and ankle injuries and two he was in line to receive $7.25 million next season.

Eagles coach Andy Reid has a solid relationship with his team and individual players and was the one who called Westbrook with the disheartening news on Tuesday.

“Brian is one of the greatest Eagles of all time and he is an even a better person and leader,” Reid said. “In my mind, there has not been a more versatile running back that the NFL has seen. He had no weaknesses.”

Copyright © 2010 – Sports Climax™