McNabb wants to stay
ORLANDO -- Andy Reid made public today what has been presumed for the last few months: That Donovan McNabb is on the market.
McNabb wants to stay
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
ORLANDO -- Andy Reid made public today what has been presumed for the last few months: That Donovan McNabb is on the market.
But the Eagles head coach has not told his quarterback about the public shift and he hasn't spoken to his first ever draft pick in months, according to sources close to the situation.
McNabb, however, still wants to play for the Eagles and still wants to retire an Eagle. He said as much in his last public comments in January after the Eagles lost to Dallas in the first round of the playoffs and posted something today on his Web site.
"I was asked to respond to statements made at the NFL owners meetings that the Eagles would entertain offers to trade any of their three QBs," McNabb wrote. "Here is my response: My position hasn't changed. 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 [Kolb], Michael [Vick], the Eagles, and any other teams involved. No matter what happens, I've already begun preparing to have an outstanding season in 2010."
The 33-year-old McNabb 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.
Oakland and Buffalo, two teams in need of a spark, could be two of the more likely matches. While it is unlikely that McNabb would want to go to the moribund franchises, he may have no choice. The Raiders and Bills could be willing to sign 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 today that the Eagles are entertaining offers for all three of their quarterbacks, not just McNabb. It is unlikely that the Eagles would get much in return for Michael Vick. The asking price for Kevin Kolb is higher than it is for McNabb, a league source said.
Reid said that the team has placed a value on the three quarterback and what it would take to trade each one.
"Yeah, we have an idea," he said.
Reid was one of 16 NFC head coaches to have breakfast with reporters today at the NFL owners' meetings. He reiterate that McNabb was his starter, Kolb was his backup and Vick was his third stringer. But that could change in the near future with the Eagles listening to offers. 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."
Reid was asked if "entertaining offers" meant that all three quarterbacks were on the market.
"I wouldn’t say they’re on the market," he said. "I’d say I’m listening. I’m not saying I’m doing anything. I’m keeping my ears open, which we do on every player. This is no different."
Reid was then asked if saying that he was entertaining offers was different from his stance after the season when he said McNabb was his starting quarterback.
"I can say it again: Donovan is our No. 1 quarterback and Kevin is our No. 2 quarterback and Michael is our No. 3 quarterback," Reid said. "That’s how I feel."
So did that mean he could definitively say that McNabb would not be traded?
"Donovan is our starter, our starting quarterback," Reid answered.
Here are some other highlights from an hour-long interview session with Reid:
-- Reid said that there have been offers for Sheldon Brown. The disgruntled cornerback said last April that he wanted a new contract. Brown went on to have one of his better seasons and eventually reached the Pro Bowl.
-- He said that defensive end Victor Abiamiri had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.
-- He said that center Jamaal Jackson, who tore his ACL in the second-to-last game of the season, would miss most of training camp. He wasn't sure if that meant that Jackson would not be back in time for the season opener.
-- He said that he did not see the Eagles retaining linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, who is an unrestricted free agent.
Poll: One must go
I agree that the McHaters will be crying in their beer within the year. I have never understood why Philadelphia can't get behind McNabb. Do you think that helps with confidence? Gee! We could have Rothelsberger or some of the other QB's in the league. How bout getting behind him and showing some support! I am surprised he is so loyal to Philly! Put our record of getting to the playoffs against some others. I am proud that McNabb is our QB!! This is the year, DMc!— LLB- tpizza gots some truth to wiff. wiff did just say yesterday that no one wants him. make up your mind— sheeron
Comment removed.- wolf, I dont like you and i dont agree with anything you say, i understand that you are some middle aged pothead who sits at home on his computer all day long... but for once will bring some facts to the table instead of running your mouth.... READ THIS CLOSE. I DO NOT WANT MCNABB TO BE THE QB NEXT YEAR, but i am also not a moron, there has been no smoke or fire of any kind... reid made a statement that could be directed at anyone of the QBS, and i have been a fan too long to think he is going to let mcnabb walk for less then what he wants.. he will be the QB for one more year and you will be wrong again for yet another year! My man— bleed green forever
- Toby Gerhart— BIGEGLFAN
- Smartest line written on this subject comes from Russakoff on Comcast today: "The reason the Birds have no SB wins, put simply, is they've never been good enough ACROSS ALL 22 TO WIN 1. End of story." It's short-sighted, amateurish folly to put it all on any one player's shoulders, including the QB. But then, isn't "short-sighted, amateurish folly" the very definition of this Lonewolf character?— birdseed
- For all of you that cannot stomach another year with McNabb. How do you expect the Eagles to trade him if he is so bad? And without a doubt the same people wiill be the frist to hammer the Eagles if McNabb is traded for less than is expected.— PhillyFanSouth
- First off, if history is any indication, I believe there is a good chance that Sheldon Brown is gone. Now for the quarterback situation. Enough with the Bobby Hoying references. every time some one talks about replacing Mcnabb, the supporters bring up Hoying. He is 1 quarterback in the history of many NFL quarterbacks that didn't play well, and happened to play for the Eagles. There have been others that have been drafted by NFL teams, not 1st round picks mind you, or free agents and played well;Brady, Montans, Warner, Favre to name a few. Mcnabb is not going to be playing 10 years from now. They are not a SB team. He is the last year of his contract, and the team is looking to get younger. Common sense says that now is the time to trade him, so you get something in return, and move on.— watsonmr
- watson your right!! how about i name a few more for since it sounds like you are new to the eagles nation. rodney peete, doug peterson, koy detmer, ty detmer, brister, boyrla, arrington, reave...etc that should be enough for now....so common sense tells me you dont know the first thing about football. watson the eagles got rid of cunningham because he was too old to play and he went on to win a league MVP on a bad team..— bleed green forever
sheeron, thanks. I think you misunderstood me yesterday but no harm done. wiff changes his position every time the wind changes direction so I am on him all the time. Between that, his lies and distortions and his errant predictions...well...I have a lot of fun.— tpizza- BleedGF, I don't think it's beyond the realm of possibility that BOTH McNabb and KK are traded. My stance is, and has been the same as yours and watson's re McNabb, now or never. Let's suppose Reid is doing his usual smoke routine and is actually planning a MAJOR overhaul, more than he's already done. He has 3 years left on his contract. Is he going to trust KK to do what DM couldn't or is he better off trading DM for a new starter and KK for more draft picks? [I think whatever he can get for Vick is OK with me.] If he trades DM and the team is not that good next year his window is getting smaller, no? If KK is NOT the Messiah, and I don't think he is, maybe BOTH he and McNabb are traded? Wadaya think?— tpizza
- pizza, i agree, i dont know that they will get rid off both this quick, but i do think that the big reid is in bad shape, he says he has a great situation, i beg to differ, i think mcnabb is older and i dont think he is getting any better, vick is a lost cause, and i truly think that kolb stinks... the baltimore game was his time to shine and he choked, kansas city doesnt count and the saints game was never even competitive, thats great that he threw for a lot of yards, but i dont want a stat QB I want a winning QB.. as much as you all hate mcnabb he has won a lot more games in this city then he has lost...— bleed green forever
- Yeeeessssssssssss.. finally there is some movement on McNabb.. I just really hope they get this over and done with.. then we can move on with a new era at the QB position.— nixman101
- all three qb have there contacts up and the end of the year. the eagles need to make up their mind and look into the future. kolb needs to get into games so he can learn. Stop with the what ifs and make a move.— sheeron
- Tratala---in response to your post...1) Trade McNabb---why? He's the winningest QB in franchise history? Do you know for a certainty you'll be better with Kolb or do you just hate the status quo so much you'd rather go 4-12, 6-10 every year to be rid of McNabb? 2) Fire Reid and hire Bill Cowher...Why? He coached Pittsburgh for 15+ years and won only one SB---after his 13th or 14th season. Reid and Cowher are basically similar coaches in terms of career...Reid needs to win a title in the next 3-4 YEARS to equal Cowher's level of non-success. 3)Kolb and Vick fight it out for the starting job? I guess that makes sense if you've already eliminated the player who would win the competition hands down. Kolb has no experience, has never done ANYTHING in the NFL or college, and Vick was never a good QB. A terrific athlete and perhaps at one time the most talented person on the planet, but not a good QB. Michael Jordan was the best basketball player of his, or perhaps any generation, but I wouldn't line him up behind center for any NFL team even during his heyday.— Eilex826
