Eagles block Bradford to Redskins?
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Eagles block Bradford to Redskins?
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
It might sound cockamamie to suggest that one of the reasons why the Eagles traded Donovan McNabb to the Redskins was so they wouldn't draft Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford. ESPN's Adam Schefter did more than suggest it, he tweeted it (Twitter continues to rule the world).
But I have to say I'm completely on board with this theory. In fact, a team source mentioned last week that it was a motivating factor and I guess I was in too much of a stupor to realize its importance.
Yes, the No. 1 reason why the Eagles dealt with Washington was because it made the best offer. And, yes, that offer -- a second round draft pick and a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2011 -- made shipping McNabb within the division that much easier.
But the Eagles also did not want to have to deal with Bradford, a quarterback they rate very high, for the next decade. I know one Eagles coach -- who would know such things -- that had Bradford ranked among the better quarterback prospects over the last decade. There was a reason why offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg was at Oklahoma last week to watch Bradford throw during his Senior Day.
The Eagles feared that Redskins coach Mike Shanahan would use his second-round pick to move from the No. 4 overall pick into the Rams' top spot. St. Louis likes Bradford and could very well take him, but the team needs a complete overhaul and it may have been willing to give up the top spot to address a host of other needs.
With the trade, the Eagles not only got rid of a quarterback that became expendable, but they got two draft picks in return and they kept a future All-Pro quarterback out their division for the time being.
Sounds like a win-win-win to me.
REALLY, to stop a "maybe" from going to the skins.....seems fishy to me.
Jeff, are you making things up again? What a stretch this one is!— JBinPA- as ridiculous as it sounds, I wouldn't put anything past this FO.— sixers_610
- McLane = Tabloid writer.— 46 and 2
- this sounds so crazy it could be right lol— sasquatches
WOW. That is some complicated ulterior motives.- if Washington really wanted Bradford, I doubt they make the trade.— palmyra21
- This is possibly the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. You've sunk to a new low, McLane. You've gone from completely making up absurd rumors to reporting conspiracy theories. Did you think before posting this gem? And how long have the Eagles been paying you to spew this drivel?— phillyfan412
- palmyra21 - Maybe. But when you have the chance to acquire a PROVEN NFL Pro-Bowl QB vs. the risk of wheeling and dealing with another team to select a rookie, albeit a highly rated QB out of college, I'm not sure you can definitively infer that the Redskins were not that interested. More like bird-in-the-hand, two-in-the-bush from my perspective.— WatchOut4DirtyRollerSk8rs
- What a croc. If they were that high on this dude that they would give up the 2nd, they wouldn't have let the #5 trade side track them and happen. I bought some property on the other side of the San Andreas fault because it's going to be prime ocean property. Give me a break.— pigsofsunday
- Not sure why there are so many posters on here bashing McClane on this story. I mean the guy does admit that it seems a little cockamamie, did he not. he offered his opinion that he thought it might actually be true. Who knows really. But why does everyone feel the need to kill the messenger on this?— WatchOut4DirtyRollerSk8rs
- Palmyra21 - There are some things to consider here. Rams need a QB - they very likely might take Bradford. Even if they don't, there's a possibility that another team makes a trade to move up and scoop Bradford. Then there's the possibility that Bradford comes out and sucks... no matter how good he looked in college or his pro day... or how well he went through interviews. It made absolute sense for the 'skins to go for a "sure thing" rather than take some risks. On the other side, the Eagles are pretty sure of their talent evaluation - they'd rather face McNabb for the next 4 to 5 than Bradford for the next 10. It makes sense on a copule of levels.— knighn
- I wouldnt put anything past these AH Eagle front office jerks— frank martino
Between the Eagles FO and Dan Snyder, I wouldn't put anything past them. The only other team crazier is Al Davis.— verve- If Bradford was that great, why would Shanahan make trade for McNabb in the first place??? This is nonsense.— Bob1
