McNabb or playoffs?
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
McNabb or playoffs?
Daily News staff
We usually try to stay away from the glut of television talking heads, but this comment caught our attention.
The subject of the day, and seemingly the subject of every day, is Donovan McNabb's future with the Eagles.
Former NFL defensive lineman Marcellus Wiley, now an ESPN analyst, had this to say about McNabb:
"To their fans, they're always winning the silver medal with him. After a while, when you can't win gold, it's like they would prefer to not be in it at all."
So, we ask you as Eagles fans, is that really true? Would you rather the Eagles be a playoff contender with McNabb or miss the playoffs with another quarterback and start a new chapter?
As you know, the Eagles have made the playoffs in eight of the 10 years that McNabb has been the full-time starter and one of those missed years was when McNabb played only nine games. They have been to five NFC Championship Games and one Super Bowl.
That is not to say that the Eagles would not be a playoff-caliber team with Kevin Kolb as their quarterback, especially if the Birds continue to address their problems on defense.
Wiley also offered this about Michael Vick: "You could see the progression of getting back to where he was as an athlete. It might not be too long before where we see the old explosive Vick."
*
Speaking of quarterback changes, Dennis Dillon, from The Sporting News, reports that 15 of the league's 32 teams have seen some sort of change among their quarterbacks this offseason. And that does not mean there won't be more ahead.
One spot where the situation remains somewhat fluid -- and a spot that Eagles fans are monitoring -- is Minnesota and whether Brett Favre will return.
"There were a lot of people who questioned us last year both with the decision of bringing him on board and him coming on so late, but it turned out to be a great decision," Wilf told the paper. "We're looking forward to having him come back this year. We understand it could work either way, but certainly with the team that we have I would expect that he and everyone else is excited to come back to fight for a championship again."
More to come from the owners meetings later ...
Comments (139)
The guy obviously has not followed the Birds closely - and obviously does not know the true Eagles' fans. We all know 5 is a good QB, above average no doubt, BUT!, he routinely misses big throws on big downs in big situations in BIG GAMES! The fans in Philly are knowledgeable and know the game. We want to see a change because we know the NFL is about your QB. The Birds need a QB with some new drive and new energy. McNabb is too mellow and does not show any signs of really wanting it - look at the top eschelon QBs - they have passion and drive to make that one extra play. It's time for change in Philly.— cheesefry- To say that Mcnabb is the greatest Philly QB of all time is a little like saying The Mustang is the greatest car Ford ever put out. Between the Pinto, the Fairmont or the Ford Fusion, the list of great cars is a short one. Here's some of Mcnabb's competition. Norm Snead,Roman Gabriel,Mike Boryla,Pete Liske.John Reeves.Rick Aarrington,Dan Pastorini,Joe piscarcick, Ron Jaworski, Matt Cavanaugh, Randall Cunningham, Jeff Kemp, Matt Goebel, Jim Mcmahon,Pat Ryan, Rodney Peete, Ty and Koy Detmer, Bobby Hoying. The only guy whoever won anything in the last 50 years who you could actually make a case for is Norm Van Brocklin. His career was too short in Philly but he was a geat QB. Anyway you look at it that's a pretty sad list off the top of my head. I would hope Mcnabb leads that impressive group— klew
- kcruel is right. However, I think it can only happen with McNabb if Reid is gone and vice versa. Mcnabb needs a strong coach who can take some pressure off the QB in critical situations...I think some of these "fans" neglect to remember all the times in the red zone where Donovan is holding his hands to his head WAITING to get a play BEFORE the huddle with the time clock ticking. Andy never has a call ready for critical moments and McNabb shouldn't have to do it on his own. If so, let him no huddle: their no-huddle offense has always been productive. On the other hand, Mcnabb isn't the best quick release QB and would probably fair better under a coach that wasn't West Coast oriented. Garcia and Kolb were both productive releasing the ball on a three-step...even if Kolb did play against two of the worst defenses (at the time) in the league. I am not a "hater" of either of these two who brought us one of the best decades in Philly sports history (who can be?) but unless Andy gets Donovan the best O-line in the league or gives him more control of play calling, they will run into a Dallas defense again that Andy won't be able to figure out on the fly and McNabb won't be able to get around without better schematics...and let's not even bring up Marty's play calling...Sheesh!!!!!!— dr.elektrika
- tpizza....Relax there. If you go to a conference championship game and lose, then the most you won is a division title. People use this conference championship game as if showing up in the game and losing means something. What it means is you won a division title. Just like if you go to superbowl and lose, it means you won a conference title. All I'm saying is quit using a game that was lost to mean something. The Eagles won four division titles and one conference title under Reid/Mcnabb, that's the reality. Others try to sugar coat things and say they went to four NFC championship games and one superbowl without saying they lost and attempt to make it sound better than what really happened. Classic symptoms of an apologist. Sure I would rather be in the game and lose than not be in the game at all, but at the end of the day you lost. You critizing me of diminshing this when it's simply reality makes me say "I rest my case." Yes, I rather have Ricky on drugs rather than a guy who should be on drugs to control his anxiety. Look Ricky up on Wiki before you continue to show your ignorance.— Voytas
- Voytas did you really say the jury is out on the career comparisons between Ricky Williams and Donovan McNabb???!!! Now that it's written and set in stone, it is more than apparent you are a total idiot. Man - the haters bring absolutely NOTHING but negadelphian opinion to an issue that is so easily substantiated with statistics, numbers and facts. And Lonedoosh - sheesh, man you never cease to amaze: KK "would have taken the Eagles with Curtis..blah, blah, blah" are you f**king joking?! And "MAYBE" he would have thrown 17 interceptions if McNabb would have gone down. Or "MAYBE" Reid would have gone with Vick! Or "MAYBE" KOlb would have found Shawn Andrews rocket ship, took his purple pills and gone ape-sh*t on Twitter. The "Apologist" only bring facts and stats. The haters, again, are full force with their "maybes." Here is one for you: "MAYBE" Donovan will throw for another 3,000 yards, have the lowest interception ratio of any top 5 QB and "MAYBE" will have more rhythm with his third and second eyar WRs and pro-bowl caliber tight end. And "MAYBE" his coach, after signing a three year deal with our first true Full Back and second year running back will RUN THE BALL!!! Maybe.— dr.elektrika
- No team is going to line up unless you want a 3rd rounder for him. It isnt a firesale. Kcruel hit it on the head. 2nd guess city loser this town is overrideen with them.— montymiller
- McChoke needs to go. He had his chances and lost when he was needed to step up. If your d suck, than the McChoke and company need to step it up on the other side. Couldnt get first when needed. Start kolb and re build the defense into that green headed beast it once was.— sheeron
- If McNabb is traded- I'll promise to never leave another message on philly.com! Until then, we can agree he's a phuture Hall-of-Famer & the best Eagle ever!— Super5
- dr.elektrika.....Maybe Donnie will do all that, but at the end of last season reality says Ricky has zero superbowls and McNabb has zero superbowls. Reality says that the bottom line shows if I took Ricky I could have done no worse when it comes to superbowl wins. How is that nothing but a fact. Oh, I know, becuase your an apologist that can't see reality. Just looking at the bottom line, if you want to make more of it than it really is then by all means, continue to make yourself look silly with insults. If there is one thing I learned on this site, it's that insults come when an actual argument can't be made. Got that Doctor?— Voytas
- dr.elektrika.....Maybe Donnie will do all that, but at the end of last season reality says Ricky has zero superbowls and McNabb has zero superbowls. Reality says that the bottom line shows if I took Ricky I could have done no worse when it comes to superbowl wins. How is that nothing but a fact. Oh, I know, becuase your an apologist that can't see reality. Just looking at the bottom line, if you want to make more of it than it really is then by all means, continue to make yourself look silly with insults. If there is one thing I learned on this site, it's that insults come when an actual argument can't be made. Got that Doctor?— Voytas
- I am a big Donovan fan and supporter. His picture is in my den where i watch Eagle games. He was good enough to win a SB but I think he is on the downside(ever so slightly). I think trade him now; he will be worth much less next year and the following year. I will cheer him strongly at his next team. Kolb will be very good in this offense. Go Eagles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— tommy_the_k
- tpizza...One last thing. The law of averages state your team should win one conference championship and four division titles every sixteen years. It's been 11 years and Donnie/Reid have been average and have five more years to prove they are something more than average. Tick tock........— Voytas
- I love the people who blame the defense only for last season... Both offence and defense have to share the blame... The offence left the defense on the field for a long time with either a 3 and out or a the occasional 60+ yard TDs. Never a sustained drive. You can not have a west coast quarterback that can go games with a completion percentage in the 50s. The offense also left the defence with short fields. The defense was not able to get it done, but to say that it was the only problem this team had last year is wrong.— chrisrr
- This back and forth is truly amazing. No wonder every third article on this website is about the E's QB situation. Here are the facts: 1-Winning the SB is second to profitability with this organization. 2-The E's always overvalue their own assets. 3-Satiating the fanbase bears no relevance in the decision making of the FO. 4-Selling tomorrow's potential for today's success is never going to happen. 5-The FO believes they are right in all aspects of operations, so why would they ever change?— The Reddgie
- Yes Kolb looked good and kept the game close vs the Saint's he threw costly interceptions in the second half which allowed the Saint's to run away with it. He also beat the Kansas City Chiefs. And Unless the Chief's are going to be in the Superbowl next year Kolb has not proved that he is going to be any better then McNabb yet.— mrs115
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