More than a week after informing Brian Westbrook that they planned to release him, the Philadelphia Eagles officially made the move on Friday and jettisoned the running back.

We speculated last week during the NFL Scouting Combine that if the Vikings lost Chester Taylor to free agency -- something that happened Friday when Taylor signed a free-agent deal with Chicago -- Westbrook could end up being on the Vikings' radar. Vikings coach Brad Childress is very familiar with Westbrook, having been his offensive coordinator for four seasons in Philadelphia.

Westbrook is an excellent receiver and blocker, meaning he could have the potential to fill the third-down role that Taylor held with the Vikings. But there also is the issue of the wear-and-tear on Westbrook and the fact he has dealt with knee issues might be a major strike against him landing in Minnesota.

One person I talked to this week said a concern for the Vikings when it comes to Westbrook is that they have to hold so many of their practices indoors on turf. The pounding Westbrook's left knee would take practicing almost daily on turf later in the season might be a real issue.