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Westbrook fails to report to camp

Inquirer Staff Report


Unhappy with his contract situation, Eagles running back Brian Westbrook did not report to training camp today.

After missing the voluntary minicamp in May, Westbrook, a restricted free agent, signed a one-year tender offer for $1.43 million for the 2005 season, but a team source said that Westbrook was unhappy with the way negotiations for a new long-term deal have gone.

Westbrook is subject to a $6,000 fine for each day he misses training camp.

Fletcher Smith, Westbrook's agent, said yesterday that there was still a lot of work to be done on a contract extension for his client.

"It's no secret that it has been a tough market for running back this year," Smith said

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Terrell Owens reported to training camp Monday, ending months of speculation about whether the disgruntled All-Pro receiver would hold out because of a contract dispute with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Owens, wearing a camouflage shirt and cap, refused to speak to reporters and walked away bobbing his head to the music on his headphones. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, accompanied Owens and said he will meet with Eagles coach Andy Reid and president Joe Banner on Tuesday to discuss his client's contract.

"All the talk, all the rhetoric in the offseason is meaningless," Rosenhaus said. "He's here. He's not happy with his contract, but he's a professional and he'll do his best to help the Eagles win a championship."

Owens arrived shortly after 6 p.m. Players were due to report by 7 p.m. for a team meeting. Pro Bowl running back Brian Westbrook didn't show up, even though he said earlier this summer he wasn't going to hold out. Westbrook signed a one-year, $1.43 million contract in June but wants a long-term deal.

"We've been very aggressive in trying to secure a long-term contract for Brian. We had thought we were making good progress in that regard. Unfortunately, Brian made a counterproductive and almost unprecedented decision to not report to training camp," the Eagles said in a statement.

Defensive tackle Corey Simon also wasn't in camp. He still hasn't signed a one-year, $5.13 million franchise tender and doesn't plan to report.Owens' squabble has dominated headlines in Philadelphia since the Eagles lost to New England 24-21 in the Super Bowl almost six months ago.

Owens skipped mini-camps and, along with Rosenhaus, was very vocal about wanting a new contract one season into the seven-year, $48.97 million deal he signed after coming to Philadelphia in March 2004.

The Eagles have said they won't renegotiate the contract. Rosenhaus is hopeful the team will change its stance.

"It's always productive when you have dialogue," Rosenhaus said. "We're looking forward to it."

Owens was a big part of Philadelphia's offense last season, setting team records with 14 touchdown receptions and seven 100-yard games.

Philadelphia started 13-1, winning nine of the first 12 games by double-digit margins, including five by at least 21 points.

Owens, however, broke his leg and severely sprained his right ankle in week 15 against Dallas, an injury that sidelined him until the Super Bowl. He defied his doctor's advice and returned for the title game, catching nine passes for 122 yards.

Owens earned a total of $9.16 million last year, including a signing bonus, and is scheduled to earn $3.25 million this year, plus incentives.

He has another signing bonus of $2.5 million, a roster bonus of $5 million and a base salary of $770,000 for a total of $8.27 million in 2006.

"Terrell is here to play football, he's very serious and businesslike," Rosenhaus said. "Let me and the Eagles handle his concerns over his contract."

Rosenhaus didn't completely rule out that Owens could leave camp but said he's optimistic the two sides can avoid that scenario.

"We're not here to negotiate in bad faith or threaten to walk out," Rosenhaus said. "This isn't about leverage."

While Eagles receiver Terrell Owens opted to report for the start of the team's training camp, running back Brian Westbrook surprisingly decided to stay away.

Westbrook signed a one-year restricted free agent tender earlier in the offseason and reported for a mandatory minicamp, which Owens skipped. Westbrook wants a long-term deal, and even though he's now represented by the same agent as quarterback Donovan McNabb, our guess is that the Eagles will take a hard line, fining Westbrook for each day of his absence.

Because, however, Westbrook's RFA tender did not include a signing bonus, the team will only be able to impose daily fines until he shows up.

Per a little-known league rule, if Westbrook stays out past August 8, he will forfeit the ability to become an unrestricted free agent in 2006. Players under contract who fail to report within 30 days prior to the commencement of the regular season lose a year of service credit.

As to Owens, his decision to report comes on the same day the television cameras caught a lukewarm greeting by Owens of his agent, Drew Rosenhaus.

Redskins4Life wrote:I hope the iggles lose Westbrook. The damn guy is a beast in the passing game

oafusp wrote:He WILL report to camp on or before August 8th.

After that date his tender gets voided and he CANNOT become a free agent next season. Some wierd rule involved.