Westbrook and Sheppard - Now I Get It

To me Lurie sounded optimistic yesterday that a new deal for Brian Westbrook would get done by the season opener. We pray he is right.

My gut feeling is that Westbrook holds out of Friday's preseason opener to put pressure on the Front Office.

Here's a look a where Westbrook currently ranks among active running back salaries in 2008. Hard to feel bad for any of these guys, but Westbrook does have a case for being underpaid. As we all know based on performance, Westbrook is a top 3 back...(All salaries are cap numbers)

1 - Tomlinson, LaDainian: $7,822,786
2 - James, Edgerrin: 6,756,240
3 - McAllister, Deuce: 6,736,666
4 - Lewis, Jamal: 6,500,000
5 - Brown, Ronnie: 6,106,800
6 - Jordan, LaMont: 6,106,240
7 - Portis, Clinton: 6,037,803
8 - Johnson, Larry: 5,656,190
9 - Jones, Thomas: 5,600,000
10 - Green, Ahman: 5,437,500
11- Taylor, Fred: 5,000,000
12 - Gore, Frank: 4,795,000
13 - Westbrook, Brian: 4,706,720
14 - Johnson, Rudi: 4,650,000
15 - Williams, Carnell: 4,137,250

And if you are curious, Lito Sheppard is #40 among highest paid NFL cornerbacks for 2008.

Ahead of Sheppard are Champ Bailey, Chris McAlister, Asante Samuel, Patrick Surtin, Charles Tillman, Donald Strickland, Shawn Springs, Drayton Florence, Brian Williams, Ken Lucas, Ike Taylor, Antoine Winfield, Anthony Henry, Nate Clements, Mike McKenzie, Nathan Vasher, Al Harris, Roderick Hood, Charles Woodson, Dre Bly, David Barrett, Terrence McGee, Samari Rolle, Ronde Barber, Darrelle Revis, Rashean Mathis, Jacques Reeves, Shawntae Spencer, Will Allen, Adam Jones, Deltha O'Neal, Quentin Jammer, David Jason, Dunta Robinson, Phillip Buchanon, Nicholas Harper, Antrel Rolle, Marcus Trufant, and Travis Fisher.