"THE LAST TIME Brian Westbrook touched the ball as an Eagle, he went 27 yards with a screen pass, on the final play of the third quarter, in the Birds' humiliating, 34-14 playoff loss at Dallas, Jan. 9. It was Westbrook's only touch of the game, the Eagles trailing, 34-7.

"He exploded up the field," middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter recalled yesterday.

Someone less partial to Westbrook might quibble with that assessment, might wonder if Dallas safety Ken Hamlin would have been able to catch, say, the BWest of 2007, a good 25 yards short of the end zone. But if you know Trotter's history, how he willed himself back into the NovaCare complex a year-and-a-half into what seemed to be retirement, well, you get that Trot is not going to say Brian Westbrook is done, after a remarkable 8-year run.

"With a good offseason, he's going to be fine," Trotter predicted.

That was not the Eagles' take, or at least, not the scenario they wanted to count on, after two seasons of injury and decline for their former franchise back. So they announced yesterday they were releasing Westbrook, the team's all-time leader in yards from scrimmage (9,785), who had been scheduled to make $7.25 million in 2010. Indications are the team did not present Westbrook with an opportunity to stay on for less money, the Eagles believing they and Westbrook were ready to move on.

Westbrook, 30, could not be reached for comment. A person who spoke to Westbrook following the morning phone call from Eagles coach Andy Reid announcing the decision said the former Villanova star, perhaps the best third-round draft pick in Eagles history, did not want to make a statement right now.

Agent Todd France said in a text message that he and Westbrook had been in communication with the team and weren't surprised.

"BWest feels like he still has a lot to give to a team, he's healthy, and already teams have expressed interest," France said. "He loved Philly but now is turning the page. I would never bet against Brian Westbrook.""