Brian Westbrook: 'My number one concern was going to a winning team'

Newly signed running back Brian Westbrook addressed the media on Monday after signing a one-year deal with the 49ers.

Westbrook explained his decision to join the 49ers after entertaining other possibilities in Washington and St. Louis.

"My number one concern throughout the process was going to a winning team," Westbrook said. "[To go to] a football team that was coached by a man that I respect, a team that had a winning tradition, and players that were willing to achieve that. I think I found all of those things here in San Francisco."

Westbrook also understood that his role with the 49ers was to serve as the backup to starting running back Frank Gore.

"Frank's the man," said Westbrook of his new teammate. "I'm going to go out there and push them as much as I can, help him as much as I can and I'm sure he'll do the same thing for me. At this point in my career, the best thing for me is to go to a place with a winning tradition and a guy that can carry the load."

Head coach Mike Singletary had praises for the newly signed running back.

"Brian is the kind of guy that has a lot of wisdom," Singletary said. "He's at the place where Frank is going."

With the abrupt retirement of Glen Coffee last week, Westbrook cited that as a major factor into his decision to join the 49ers. Westbrook said he is willing to take a role as the backup and share the load with Gore in whatever capacity the offense sees fit.

"At this point in my career, the best thing for me is to go to a place with a winning tradition and with a guy that can carry the load," he said.

Last year, Westbrook suffered a concussion that ended his season early. Westbrook confirmed that he was fully healthy and that when on the field, he runs the same risk as any other player.

"Every doctor that I've talked to have basically said that 'you're just as a risk as anybody else playing the game of football,'" Westbrook said, assuring his health. "For me, I can go out there worry-free with my mind at ease, that the concussion issue is a thing of the past."

Westbrook, who says he'll wear number 20, also had high praises for rookie running back Anthony Dixon, whom he watched play on TV yesterday.

"He impressed me a lot," said Westbrook. "I am happy and ready to work with him. We'll try to make each other better."

Singletary said that he didn't want to have Dixon too involved in pass protection, and that Westbrook would help handle that load. The head coach wanted to make sure that the rookie had time to grow and develop his craft in pass protection.

"This is football, we like for you to understand pass protection, understand how important that is,' Singletary said. "I would not want to put Dixon in that situation right now."

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Singletary also spoke to the media on other topics. Here are some points he made:

• WR Kyle Williams has a sprained big toe and will be evaluated in a couple weeks.
• CB Will James has an ankle sprain and will be out for about 4-6 weeks.
• TE Vernon Davis has a right knee strain and is day to day. Singletary said he looked "strong".
• LB Travis LaBoy will make his return to the practice field on Tuesday.
• LB Ahmad Brooks will do some work on exercise bike and do some running. He will be evaluated on his kidney laceration in a couple weeks.
• LB Patrick Willis and K Joe Nedney were given Sunday off just to rest up minor nicks and pains. Rookie LB NaVorro Bowman was held out of Sunday's game to rest his shoulder.
• Singletary was impressed with the development of David Baas as the new center.
  "He took a big step in being the center right now."
• Singletary also confirmed that the offense remains as a balanced attack-- with physicality of course. He echoed his hope for the offense to grow confident in their abilities.
• When asked about his throughts on Kentwan Balmer, whom the team traded earlier in the day, Singletary said he wishes him happiness in his new setting but has moved on from it.
  "When he wasnt here that morning, I was done. I was already on up the road."

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