Holmgren on McNabb; draft nuggets
Cleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren does not understand the criticism aimed at Donovan McNabb.
Holmgren on McNabb; draft nuggets
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Cleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren does not understand the criticism aimed at Donovan McNabb.
Here's what he said when ESPN.com's Matt Mosley told him a segment of fans are ready to see McNabb go:
"I'm astounded by that," Holmgren said. "I'm like most of the folks around the league. With all that he's done for that team over the long haul...I guess part of it's that he hasn't been able to get over the hump [and win a Super Bowl]."
The Daily News' Paul Domowitch yesterday included the Browns on his list of possible landing spots for McNabb.
The Inquirer's Jeff McLane had a good piece today on the Eagles possibly looking offensive tackle in the draft. But specifically, someone who could provide versatility.
Wes Bunting of the National Football Post had the Eagles going with tackle/guard John Jerry from Ole Miss in his first mock draft.
You can watch our video (second in the playlist) where I peppered Bunting with draft questions. Below is a sampling of the Q&A.
Q: Why do you have the Rams taking QB Sam Bradford with the top pick?
A: Well, it's a quarterback-driven league. Quarterbacks win in the NFL. You look at the St. Louis Rams right now. Even If they take a guy like [Nebraska DT] Ndamukong Suh, maybe they win five games next year, maybe they win four. But they need a quarterback that they can build around. That's what Sam Bradford gives them. A smart, mature kid who is accurate with the football. And he's that building block St. Louis needs.
Q: Who's the most intriguing first-round prospect? A guy who could go high in the first round or who could drop significantly?
A: I think that's Anthony Davis, the offensive tackle from Rutgers. Davis is as physically gifted as any left tackle in this year's draft. He has the upside to be one of the top players. However, is lazy at times. There are concerns about his character. Will he put the work in to be great? That's the biggest concern with Davis, but the physical skill set is there.
Q: Why do you think Jerry could be a good fit for the Eagles at No. 24?
A: Jerry can come in and fill a role at right tackle. You can kick him inside at guard. He was one of the dominant players at this year's Senior Bowl. Big, physical, versatile. He can fill in a lot of holes for the Eagles, step in from Day 1 and figure out how to get in that starting lineup quickly.
I also asked Bunting about possible defensive players at that spot. He mentioned the following defensive linemen: Florida's Carlos Dunlap (who he didn't sound too high on), South Florida's Jason Pierre-Paul and Tennessee's Dan Williams.
In his most recent mock draft, Bunting has the Eagles going with Georgia Tech running back Jonathan Dwyer. That would be a bit surprising. But then again, I didn't see them going wide receiver in the first round last year.
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Funny thing wolf, is that Reid already has a Superbowl ring from the 97 Packers....I do agree that McNabb is and has been a big part of this team. he has led this team in the playoffs with not much in thee way of weapons in the past and has been the only positive part of our team. BUT...he is now 34. He is getting older and not getting any more mobile. His accuracy is also questionable. His contract is up at the end of next year. He only has maybe 3 more years left. I say trade him now and get value now when we really need it and put some pieces on the field that will help this team get to the Superbowl. I am not saying that Kevin Kolb is the Eagles new second coming. But he needs to get a chance which he really has never had. I am talking from day 1 camp where he is preparing for the responsibility of leading this team each and every week. I think its time to move on from McNabb. Why should the Eagles stand by him in his decline when they have released other players that played equal roles on this team. i remember the days when if Westbrook was hurt, we were almost guaranteed a loss because of the limited options the Eagles had. Now we have several weapons and maybe more after the draft. But I do think its time to move on from the McNabb era and start a new one.— crohnkiller- PhillyHouse..Where you at? I live in the heart of SEC country too. I am from Delaware County, but I live outside of Columbia, SC for the past 5 years. There is some talent to be had in this draft that is for sure. I would personally like to see Dunta Robinson on the Eagles. Hopefully the Eagles make a run for him and Pep...— crohnkiller
- Who says teams arent trying to get McNabb? in fact theres been several teams who have inquired. That stuff is usually kept on the dl anyway so we really dont know whos trying to get him. I imagine theres some hesitation paying a big contract for a number of yrs for a qb his age, more so than worrying about his talent level.— peteike
- Holmgren needs to talk to Wes Bunting...'it's a quarterback-driven league. QBs win in the NFL.' This is why Eagles fans want 5 traded.— Joe Funk
Favre rode Reggie White's coat tails to the SB. No doubt about it. Not too often the winning QB isn't the SB MVP. Favre wasn't the SB MVP. The following year, without White, and a big favorite to win the SB he ran into an aging Elway and flopped. Favre has 1 SB win in about 47 years in the NFL and he would have won 2 in Philly? Huh? He alaso hasn't won one in a longer time than DM is being criticized for. Lets also not forget that both of his last two passes in the NFC championship games ended up costing his teams trips to the SB. And a coinflip? How about all he had to do was slide and let his FG kicker win the game instead of throwing one of the worst passes in NFL history. That was a pass a rookie knows not to throw. Yeah, he'd have won 2 in Philly. Gotta love the logic, if that's what you want to call it. From Kolbette to Favrette. One, two, three, kick!— tpizza- BTW, if Holmgren rode Favre's coattalis, what did Andy Reid do wiff? One, two, three, kick! Landmiiiiiine! BOOM! Alas poor wiff, we knew him well...unfortunately.— tpizza
- No coach has ridden a QBs coat tails as much as Bill Bellichik. Take Brady away from the Patriots over the past 8 years or so, and they would have been nothing. Bellechik was a lifetime losing coach before he got Brady, and now because of Brady, he is considered a Yoda looking hoody wearing genius.— Bobphxville
- Do any of you recall when Jeff Lurie wanted to have Mike Holmgren as the Eagles coach? Holmgren slipped him Andy Reid's name. Holgran was a better coach in GB that Seattle--perhaps all the authority & all the responsibility for everything was a step backwards... HC & Director of all football operations isn't necessarily a good thing--Holmgren is a case study in peter-principle. He'll do great in Cleveland--maybe he'll ask for McNabb...— Smashmouth
- Lol Jerry is a Late 2nd/3rd round prospect at this point. He would be a monster reach in the 1st. And we don't have a hole at right tackle right now. Justice played fine last year, the hole is at RG/Center with Jackson likely out next year. Iupati or Pouncey would be better picks than Jerry. Unlike him they actually deserve to go in the first round.— KidCole35
- Hard to understand the hostility towards Holmgren, took Packers, a team that had not won consistently since Lombardi a quarter century earlier, took them to two Super Bowls, won one of them, then took Seahawks, a team that had never had consistent success, and got them to their only Super Bowl ever.— citizenkane
- What you people don't understand is the players don't care what you think of them or if you think they must go. They get their due out on the field. Among NFL players and coaches McNabb is a guy who can "play". Those are the only people players seek to impress, not you clowns who go out and spend $89 to wear some other guys name and number on your back.— phillboyinhawaii
- McNabb is a good QB who has not won a SB, but the Eagles don't view this as a reason to move him. The age/diminishing skills factor is now the issue with him, just as it would be for any Eagle player at this career juncture. His market value will be revealed in the near future - whether he stays or goes.— Beck
- McNabb is a good QB who has not won a SB, but the Eagles don't view this as a reason to move him. The age/diminishing skills factor is now the issue with him, just as it would be for any Eagle player at this career juncture. His market value will be revealed in the near future - whether he stays or goes.— Beck
- Favre is flawed -has seemed to panic in big games against good teams, but also has won many of those. It's hard to diminish his career stats and champonship though. But Donny doesn't compare. He and Reid have lived off of the weak NFC and some great players like Dawkins, Westbrook, Runyan/Thomas and others who formed a solid team. The real measure of the QB is if he emerges in the big games against the good teams. Donny has always come up small. People talk about playoff wins like those over the 8-8 Vikings, the Fraudulent Falcons and the 4th&26th Packers, but those were mismatches where the Eagles were big favorites. Against quality teams or good defenses in the past 10yrs the Birds would have been better off with Trent Dilfer. At least they'd have saved about 9 million $/yr.— Fred48
What would you expect Holmgren to say? I'd like to hear what he really thinks when he's behind closed doors with his player-personnel people, with no chance that he'll be quoted. As many here have already said, if McNabb is so wonderful, why doesn't Holmgren offer us a couple of first round picks for him? Because he has eyes maybe? At this point, what you see is what you get, McNabb hasn't improved his game in 5 years. He's inaccurate, inconsistent and comes up small under pressure. He's maybe the 16th best quarterback in the NFL, which means 15 QBs are better than him. Not terrible, not great. Middle of the pack. But it also means he'd improve about half the teams in the NFL, so he has trade value. If you're really serious about wanting a Super Bowl in Philly, you've got to hope we can do better than him. The same can be said for Reid that he's mediocre at picking talent, and a so-so coach. It will be tough to win a SB with him too. In my opinion, he's more to blame than McNabb, but he just signed a new contract, he's not going anywhere.
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