Posted: Monday, April 5, 2010, 2:30 PM | 77 comments |
 

DeSean: It's a relief
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DeSean Jackson didn't exactly say it was "about time" the Eagles made the move to trade Donovan McNabb, but he did come close and he did emphasize how the last few months of rumors involving the Eagles quarterbacks had affected the rest of the team.

"My first thought was -- not to say, "About time" -- but just sitting around with just the rumors ... it was just kind of tough for the team," Jackson said. "Not knowing who was going to be here and who was going to stay. It's almost kind of a relief to know what we have here and just to go forward."

There was a perception out there that Jackson led the brigade of younger players looking to move on from McNabb and have Kolb as their leader.

"I don't know why anybody would think that," Jackson said. "Whatever the case was, if McNabb would have stayed another year ... that's not my decision."

The Eagles have had a lot of turnover this off-season, mostly discarding older players for younger ones. Guard Todd Herremans said that he thought the team now had a certain swagger about it. Jackson reiterated that sentiment.

"I see us as the young guns, coming in and taking advantage of a lot of geat opportunities in Philadelphia," Jackson said. "We're here for the long haul."

Jackson, Herremans, tight end Brent Celek and wide receiver Jeremy Maclin said that they didn't think the younger Eagles would have to naturally take a step back next season. Jackson said that the young core group of offensive players would be "able to relate to each other" more under Kolb.

Several of the players interviewed, including Kolb, said that they were surprised the Eagles traded McNabb to the Redskins.

"It definitely did catch me off guard," Jackson said.

Earlier, Michael Vick said that he would accept being Kolb's backup. He reiterated that he wants to start, but said that he would be a good soldier and help Kolb with his development.

 
Posted by Jeff McLane @ 2:30 PM  Permalink | 77 comments
77
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:42 PM, 04/05/2010
    OMG,Big Red did my baby wrong,I know he's not that accurate but he was clutch player at the end of games and a team leader,he was a 5 time pro bowl alternate,they did my baby wrong.BM5.
    — bigmama5
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:54 PM, 04/05/2010
    lonewolf u got your wish...when kolb fails not a word....my woMAN
    — montymiller
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:54 PM, 04/05/2010
    Swagger without veteran leadership and experience will get you little in the NFL. I work with college athletes on a daily basis; they are all swagger. Sure you need some swagger and some youth, but until the young ones get credible experience, this team will be in disarray. Mark my words. You need to have a balance of young guns and vets who will provide leadership and savvy. The Eagles don't have this any more. The FO knows this is a throw-away year, with or without Donavan, since the defense is in such a shambles. They figured to start the Kolb era early and let him get his lumps while there will be excuses all around for the 5-11 season (or so) they will face. Good luck, Kevin. We'll be rooting for you, but get ready, folks, for a couple of years of sitting home during playoff time.
    — jrwoznicki
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:08 PM, 04/05/2010
    all the mcnabb haters are suddenly gonna claim they always supported the guy and we shouldve kept him. watch.
    — drumminge6
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:11 PM, 04/05/2010
    Folks, the deal is done. Now is the time to embrace the team that takes the field this year. I'll miss D.Mac as well as B-West and Sheldon Brown. All good players that I've enjoyed over the years. But as a true Eagles fan, I cheer for the current players and reminisce about the past players. GO EAGLES! Good luck D. McNabb
    — PhillyFanSouth
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:12 PM, 04/05/2010
    Don' care about DM or Kolb and reall don't care about Vick. Unless they do something about that offensive line and a whole bunch about that defense...........it will be a long long couple of seasons
    — NC Dennis
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:13 PM, 04/05/2010
    wait til Rosenhaus hears this, "Desean you need to stop saying your here for the long haul until they show us the money"
    — potus
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:21 PM, 04/05/2010
    DJax is a punk. He only cares about himself. He has let the early success go to his head. When defenses like the Cowgirls knock the snot out of you (e.g. last two games of the season), we will see how far your "swag" can take you. Idiot.
    — worldfan78
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:24 PM, 04/05/2010
    lonewolf, give it a rest. McNabb could throw it long, but he couldn't throw it accurately. Dangerous Redskins? Their o-line is worse than the Eagles' and so are their receivers. I'd worry more about the Cowboys and Giants. This team wasn't going to do much of anything this year with McNabb, Kolb, or the reincarnation of Joe Montana at QB.
    — mike l
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:24 PM, 04/05/2010
    Desean you're the man and all, but just know that this is buisness...you'll get your chance to see Banner and Co. at work.
    — hope55
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:25 PM, 04/05/2010
    This was my dream scenario. Gawd, I hope the Redskins win the Super Bowl this season.
    — aa2or
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:31 PM, 04/05/2010
    Well put PhillyFanSouth. Ill root for whoever is in green, the rest is business. For those who claim they will change their fanhood based on one player, arent real fans anyway, good riddance. Not on this thread but plenty of that on the others.
    — peteike


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About Jeff McLane and Jonathan Tamari






Jeff McLane (left) began covering the Eagles in April 2009 after covering college sports and Penn State football in particular. Before that he wrote about high school sports and before that he worked in the mailroom (not quite). Find Jeff on Facebook and follow him on Twitter for instant updates on the Eagles.

Jonathan Tamari (right) began covering the Eagles in April 2010. He previously covered New Jersey state government and politics, reporting and writing about elections, policy debates and the many personalities that drive the Garden State, from three recent governors to the many musicians bidding to write the state song. He has been at the Inquirer since June 2008. Follow him on Twitter at @JonathanTamari.

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