Some people have been asking me to give my opinion on what to do with Donovan McNabb. I’ve been putting this off until cooler heads prevailed, but that doesn’t seem like it will be anytime soon. It’s the hot topic out there right now. So I figured I would chime in with my two bits.
No one wants to hear what I “think” will happen, but rather what I believe “should” happen this year and beyond with our beleaguered signal caller. To put it simply, I’m in favor of Don returning for the ’10 season and playing out his contract. If the Eagles fail once again to win a ring, then I say it’s time to hand the reigns to Kevin Kolb.
Twelve years is long enough for a quarterback to get it done. It’s not as if McNabb is going to get any better. He’s not going to miraculously become more accurate or regain the athleticism he had when he was 25. That being said, he’s still one of the top quarterbacks in the game and deserving of one more shot at the title.
It’s a shame the team neglected the skill positions as long as they did, but we can’t turn back the clock. Hopefully, DeSean, Maclin, Celek, Avant, Shady and Weaver will all improve their games from now until August. Hopefully, the offensive line will find the much-needed continuity that was clearly lacking this season. Hopefully, the upcoming draft will produce another bounty similar to the last two. Hopefully, the defense will get its act together.
McNabb will never be the perfect quarterback we all covet. He’ll never magically transform into Steve Young or Troy Aikman or Peyton Manning. But tossing him aside now seems premature.
It’s impossible to know what the Birds record would have been had Kolb started the final fifteen games. 13-3? 14-2? 11-5? Maybe they would still be alive in the postseason. Or maybe they would have struggled with an inexperienced quarterback and managed only six or seven wins.
I’m of the belief that the ’09 team would have been worse off with Kolb, not better. Free agent departures, devastating injuries, new additions and changes in the coaching ranks made this past year extremely challenging for all involved. No Brian Dawkins, Stewart Bradley, Shawn Andrews, Stacy Andrews, Todd Herremans, Kevin Curtis, Cornelius Ingram, Ellis Hobbs, Jamaal Jackson and Brian Westbrook for all or portions of the season was a lot to overcome. Adding a newbie under center wouldn’t have made matters easier.
And yet they still managed to notch eleven wins and earn a playoff spot. Much of that success can be attributed to the guy everyone seems hell bent on kicking to the curb. Toss out the two recent Cowboys losses and the Birds were in every game that Don started, including a near comeback in San Diego.
But I guess that’s the problem. The word “almost.” It’s been tied too closely with both McNabb and Reid. They almost won the division… they almost went to the Super Bowl five times… they almost won it all in 2004. Almost just won’t cut it anymore. Almost has become a dirty word in Philly.
For that reason, and a few others, McNabb’s time in midnight green appears to be coming to a close, sooner not later. I still say he gets and deserves one last chance to reach the ultimate goal. But if it ends with another almost… I’m on board with saying goodbye to 5.
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Always an excuse and one more chance. Face it, he really can’t get it done. Reid is blinded by his physical skills and dismisses the other traits that great QBs have. He is great with a 3 touchdown lead…
and the pressure is off. But thats not the way it is as you progress in the playoffs.
Donovan should move back to 11:35, while Kolb starts at 12:05.
Wait, wrong topic.
I’m trying to figure out the answer to a question here: if not Donovan, then who? I understand the Eagles are very high on Kevin Kolb. I think he’s a solid quarterback as well. But I don’t believe he’s a step up over what we currently have.
People need to realize that in order for the Eagles to improve at the quarterback position, there needs to be a better quarterback available. Look at the market, look at the draft, and tell me that a better quarterback is going to be available before week 1 of next season. I’ll be waiting.