49ers sign Brian Westbrook

[Upton]

Hours after trading disgruntled defensive end Kentwan Balmer to the Seahawks, the 49ers made an even bigger splash, signing coveted free-agent running back Brian Westbrook.

Westbrook had been linked to the Denver, St. Louis and Washington over the offseason. Saturday, ESPN's Chris Mortensen called the Rams frontrunners. Sunday, Redskins coach Mike Shanahan reiterated his interest in the versatile veteran. But it was the 49ers who swooped in and signed Westbrook to a one-year contract.

NFL.com's Jason LaCanfora reported that he will earn a base salary of $1.25 million, and could receive as much as $2.5 million.

http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers/2010/08/49ers-sign-rb-westbrook.html

Hmm.. a trio of Gore, Westbrook and Dixon is sounding pretty good.

[Auggie]

1. Cool

[Upton]

6. I think so

49ers will use Westbrook primarily as Gore's backup and on third downs. He's the kind of pass receiving threat from out of the backfield they didn't previously have. Dixon can be the short yardage specialist. Coffee's quitting could turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

[madinmaryland]

2. Hmmm. Sounds like the Redskins had enough of old washed up running backs.

Good for the forty-whiners.

[Upton]

4. Redskins wanted Westbrook

so did several other teams. This is a smart move by the 49ers. It's not costing them much and Westbrook could prove out to be a great addition. The key is his health, but healthy...Westbrook and Gore are better than any duo the Cowboys have to offer. :thumbsup:

[madinmaryland]

7. You are comparing an old running back and a running back who has not done much

to the Cowboys trio, Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice??

:rofl:

[Upton]

8. Wait a minute....

I'll assume Westbrook is your "old running back", leaving Gore to be the "running back who has not done much"

Granted Westbrook is getting up there, but Gore has better career stats than any of those Cowboys you mentioned. They're the ones who haven't done anything. Choice and Jones haven't been around very long, they each have only about 150 career carries, and as for Barber:

Career YPC:

Gore: 4.8

Barber: 4.3

[Upton]

5. delete

[hughee99]

3. If the 49ers need an extra back

for weeks 1 and 2, the first half of week 8, week 13, and the first half of week 16, I'm sure he will be a great backup.

[PRETZEL]

9. Once upon a time Brian Westbrook

was a very good running back.

But when your choices are Denver, St. Louis and Washington and none of them could sign you especially at 1.25m then I'm not so sure he was all that coveted.

If he gets 10 snaps a game he might be able to play a whole year. Might maybe.

[Forkboy]

10. He's a force when he's healthy.

Which doesn't seem to be often.

Good pickup though. If he does stay healthy he can help a lot.

[KamaAina]

11. You get more than just his run production

the Niners are notably lacking in veteran leadership. Westbrook played in a Super Bowl. Singletary must be loving this.

[Auggie]

12. Ding, ding, ding

I also like the idea of both Westbrook and Gore in the backfield on some plays. Add Crabtree and Morgan and Vernon Davis and it's a formidable arsenal, providing the offensive line performs.