McNabb to the Rams "not yet completed"
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
McNabb to the Rams "not yet completed"
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
ORLANDO – Andy Reid confirmed yesterday that the Eagles are entertaining offers for Donovan McNabb.
Asked if a deal between the Eagles and Rams that involved McNabb for St. Louis’ second-round pick (33d overall) was on the table, a league source said that it was “not yet completed.”
Whether that deal or any deal is imminent is unclear. The Eagles had no comment. Rams general manager Billy Devaney told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he has not “talked to Philadelphia about any of their players.”
However, another source close to the situation said that the two teams have talked, but that the Eagles are still trying to get the best deal possible for their 33-year-old franchise quarterback. The Rams also hold the No. 1 overall pick in the draft and could use that selection to take Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford.
McNabb would be willing to go to the Rams if he was given a contract extension, according to a source close to the situation. He would not be willing to play for Buffalo or Oakland, two moribund franchises that might be willing to take McNabb without an extension.
McNabb has publicly stated that he wants to remain with the Eagles and retire with the only organization he has played for. He released a blog post yesterday after Reid said for the first time publicly that the Eagles were listening to offers for him, Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick.
“My position hasn’t changed,” McNabb wrote. “I’ve said all along that I would like to win a Super Bowl and finish my career in Philadelphia.
“I understand the situation well and just hope whichever direction the Eagles decide to go in, they do it quickly. I think that would be best for me, Kevin, Michael, the Eagles, and any other teams involved. No matter what happens, I’ve already begun preparing to have an outstanding season in 2010.”
McNabb, meanwhile, hasn’t spoken to Reid in months, according to one source. He has spent most of the off-season at his home in Arizona.
The Eagles are reportedly in search of a second-round draft pick for McNabb, but they may have to take something less with the list of potential suitors drying up. Early in the off-season they set the bar high. They were asking for two first-round draft picks and a third-round draft pick, according to a league source.
Yesterday, Reid said he liked the new format for this year's draft, which features only the first round on the first day.
"I'd love to have that first pick of the second day," Reid said, referring to the 33d overall pick. "Where you can sleep on it, regather your thoughts, which you normally don't get to do."
The Bills and Raiders, two teams in need of a spark, could be likely matches. They could trade for McNabb, who is the last year of his contract, without asking for an extension. If they wanted an extension, McNabb could simply refuse to negotiate.
Reid said that the team has placed a value on each of his quarterbacks. It is unlikely that the Eagles would get much in return for Vick right now. The asking price for Kolb is higher than it is for McNabb, a league source said.
If the Eagles can’t make a deal, Reid said that McNabb would remain his starter, Kolb his backup and Vick the third stringer. He was asked if some of the offers piqued the team’s interest.
“We’ll go back and look through those and think through them a little bit, away from this situation here,” Reid said. “There’s nothing right now that I’d jump up and down about. But there has been some interest.”
If a deal between the Eagles and Rams was struck, McNabb would work under offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, his former quarterbacks coach with the Eagles. St. Louis head coach Steve Spagnuolo was a defensive coach under Reid.
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kjuggs77- just remember, Bobby Hoying had two great 1st starts as an eagles QB too.— phila215- Hamlin, worm burners is funny, I'll give you that. But based on his 7 picks, and a couple of bad incompletions to Celek that just happen to stick out in my head because I remember complaining about it when he threw them, I don't think he's going to be a better chance to win the Championship. I think AR and Lurie think he will be another 10 win a season guy for 5-7 years, and give them the longevity they desire most, not the ring. And I don't think he'll be a ten win a season guy unless he has a Trent Dilfer-like supporting cast.— Bleue
JettMartinez, I might agree with you if Kolb was a rookie. After 3 years of riding pine, the dude is either ready or he's a bust. Personally, I think he's ready. I hope I'm right.— Hamlin- yyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssss
- Be careful what you wish for.
- It's time...I'm a huge 5 fan but lets face reality here, the Birds are never going to win a Super Bowl with McNabb at the helm. So why bother bringing him back and wasting another year of Kolbs career? I hope they pull this off and pick up the safety as well...— marley66
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- Get it done. Andrews and McNabb in the same week? Its like Xmas come early.— dragoon6
- um guys...calm down. jeff mclane is not a real journalist whose sources can be trusted, let alone is he andy reid. other sources say this deal is a rumor that is completely false. it aint done till its done. get ready to be disappointed when you find out its bogus.— djacobs5582
- If 5 is traded, I wish him well. He was always a flawed warrior, with a strange public persona given that he was a Communications major. He always tried his best, and I loved watching him. Still, it doesn't seem like he'll ever win here so might as well move on. Maybe 5 will end up like Randall only this time, he'll win in the Bowl. I'd like to see that for the guy...man did he make some awful commercials.— The Monk of Magdalena
lex, he's said that every day for 2 years. Consider the source. He also said he was gone last year before the draft, then before the season started, then it was Cutler, then Quinn, then traded to Cleveland, then it was his "last half season"...well, you get the idea...and he still didn't answer your question.— tpizza- Birds!!! Where all the haters now??? This trade would be great. the 33d pick is like a first rounder this year because of the depth of this draft (rookies worried about rookie cap coming next year) and Atogwe is a young, athletic starting free safety the Rams considered franchising. I love it!— phillydopes
- Bleue, I think he will have that supporting cast though. Of the skill positions, I think McCoy is the only question mark. He either wore down or sucked last year, I couldn't tell. But he didn't impress me much. His INTs weren't accuracy related, they were bad decisions. Those can be corrected. I think (hope) they will.— Hamlin
- Where's all the whines and negadelphians now? Whats the Morning show saying now? Huh? Relax dopes. The eagles know what their doing -- if anything close to this deal gets done, you'll break your ankles again getting back on the bandwagon. Personally, you disgust me and disgrace the jersey and team you say you support.— phillydopes
