Mailbag: Ray Edwards, Kolb and Baskett
Moving the Chains: Answering reader questions on the availability of Ray Edwards, the trade value of Kevin Kolb and the decision to bring Hank Baskett back to the Eagles.
Mailbag: Ray Edwards, Kolb and Baskett
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
I received quite a few questions on Twitter and via e-mail last week and didn't get to respond to all of them, so I thought we'd make a post out of it.
Here goes:
@babyfacejp: Do you see the Eagles going after RFA DE Ray Edwards?
The Edwards talk began after Bob Grotz of the Delaware County Daily Times reported that the Eagles were "expected to make a push" to acquire him. However, Jeff McLane of the Inquirer refuted the report yesterday on Twitter, citing a league source, who said the Eagles were not interested.
As I explained earlier this week, finding a pass rusher in the first round who can make an immediate impact will be extremely difficult for the Eagles, if history is any indication. The reason I think you haven't heard much talk about teams going after Edwards is because it's tough to see the Vikings letting him go. Edwards is a restricted free agent, meaning the Vikings could match any offer. If he does sign elsewhere, Minnesota would get a first-round pick in return. But he's only 25 years old, has four years of experience under his belt and is likely entering his prime. Edwards had 8.5 sacks last season, and who can forget his dominating performance against the Cowboys in the divisional round? Guys like that are tough to come by.
@mrskins: What's the best you think the Eagles can get for Kevin Kolb?
A: I've maintained throughout that I can't envision a scenario where Kolb is dealt. It just doesn't make sense. The Eagles have been grooming Kolb for three seasons and obviously like what they've seen. If they give Donovan McNabb an extension, then trading Kolb becomes something you think about. But unless that happens, he's the quarterback of the future. And I mean even if a team offers a first-round pick. The value of having a young QB who the coaching staff believes in, who has been learning the system (especially when you consider the youth and talent at wide receiver) cannot be underestimated. A league source told Jason La Canfora of NFL.com that the Seahawks would have to part with both of their first-round picks to land Kolb. It sounds like a crazy asking price at first glance, but wouldn't really surprise me if that's what the Eagles demanded.
@philly2la: They had Hank Baskett and let him go. What's with the retreads?
Twitter is great. As soon as the news was announced that the Eagles signed Baskett, sarcastic Tweets erupted: Super Bowl! You should not be excited about the Baskett signing. But it's nothing to get worked up about either. They got rid of Reggie Brown last week, which is a good thing, and needed a fourth receiver. Baskett provides size and can play special teams. That's why he's back. In other words, this move is not going to make or break the Eagles' season, so relax. Consider: The Eagles had four wide receivers on the field at the same time for just six plays total in the final two games of the season (Week 17 and the first round of the playoffs).
@jfglass: GM wants McNabb trade? Andy says No! Who wins? Is Kolb the future? Andy loyal to a fault? Price too high? Inquiring minds.
Nice job getting that all in under 140 characters. Here's the thing I don't understand about that Fox report that said Andy Reid and the front office were split on the quarterback situation: Does it matter? Since when does anyone other than Reid call the shots? For years, we've heard Joe Banner, Tom Heckert and Jeffrey Lurie maintain that Reid has the final decision on all football-related issues. That's how it's been. And that's how it will continue to be going forward now that Reid received an extension. So forget about what you hear or what kind of spin is put on a potential McNabb move. Unless the team is all of a sudden shifting power away from Reid, whatever decision is ulitmately made will be on him.
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With Kolb the worms should be safe.— dkretired- McNabb is the only QB that the Eagles want to move. And their desire to move him is urgent - too many white whiskers. He will go the way of other aging former Eagles, unless he lacks value. Unfortunately, his last two games against the Cowboys might have some impact.— Beck
- McNabb is the only QB that the Eagles want to move. And their desire to move him is urgent - too many white whiskers. He will go the way of other aging former Eagles, unless he lacks value. Unfortunately, his last two games against the Cowboys might have some impact.— Beck
- I think that what was meant by cerebral is Kolb's ability to throw as the receiver is coming open, not after he is open. McNabb reacts to defenses and Kolb seems to read defenses. In case you did not notice, the Eagle's receivers were open in those Dallas games. Just not open enough for McNabb's liking.— chrisrr
- p-diddy, Here's an example for McNabb not being cerebral....( I can't speak for Kolb, yet). A couple years ago we had 10 seconds left in the half. No timeouts, inside the opponents 10, 3rd down. Cerebrally, you take a quick shot in the end zone, if no go, kick a field goal. What does Mcnabb do? Hit LJ Smith at the 7, he's tackled at the 4. End of half. That is McNabb in a nutshell. Tom Brady will say he sucked if he had a bad game. McNabb will give a canned phrase, " I have to put players in better position, blah blah blah. I just want him to stop over managing his career. Maybe a little raw emotion would help. I love him, but I am tired of his act.— cm3737
- Lurie doesn't care about that Soulman386. Haha... Why would he? He makes bank every year while being 10-20 million under the cap. Philly fans keep falling for a wildcard team every year. You think Andy Ried is failing Lurie? Heck no... He keeps the team competitive enough for people to waste thier money on. It was NEVER about the superbowl under Lurie, it is about money and Lurie has been successful— ChrisM
Comment removed.- The inside scoop here is that Reid was given a new contract after 15 games and were seeded number two behind only New Orleans and all the Philly Sports writers were crowning the 2009 Eagles as the best Eagles team in history. However, then they folded in the last game with McNabb being shut and Reid being outcxoached by Wade Phillips, who is no Vince Lombardi. Laurie was kicking his behind and The front office started to change with Reids favorite yes man going to Cleveland, where he is now screwing up the Browns, who will be the Detroit Lions of 2010. I am betting Ried is now on a short leash. If the Eagles flop again this year, or worse yet, go 8 and 8, it will be Reid's last season.— marioP
- Yeah dragoon Kolb looks real pretty throwing game losing ints, not to mention a 53% completion pct. Whoo-hoo!
- aaron rodgers learned and was groomed for the situation he is in now;...kolb has learned and has been groomed for the same situation, in roughly the same system with even very much of the same terminology,...the future is now and its time to move forward,...take a 3 and a 4 for mcnabb and thank him very much for his years of service— SyddBarrett
- Just heard Brady Quinn traded to Denver. Market for Eagles QBs continues to get smaller.— watsonmr
- Soulman, you are wrong, wrong, wrong. Reid is also the EVP of football operations. He has final say. He absolutely CAN refuse. They could fore him for that, however, he would have to be paid his full contract.— suf
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- I love how the McNabb lovers somehow forget Ronde Barber.— watsonmr
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- Eagles fans . . . .let's all take a deep breath and repeat over and over . . . Kevin Kolb will NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER be an elite quarterback in the NFL. NEVER!!— knebman
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- Mcnabb seems like a good human being, but he was never a fit for this offense. I wish him well on his new job in the AFC. I CAN'T take another season with Mcnabb under center. Kevin Kolb looks like he is more suited to Andy's offense. I am willing to find out.— Klambake
uhh, actually McNabb is actually the dumbest QB in the league. like honestly. I just looked into what his wonderlic test score was and it was a 14. the lowest of any starting QB in the league. that would explain why he cant figure out what to do under pressure and throws it at guys feet. every SB winner has like at least a decent if not high wonderlic score, and then youve got McNabb that cant figure out wtf to do. its pathetic. and now he cant even run anymore so its even worse. hes done. http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/wonderlic-scores-of-2010-nfl-starting-quarterbacks-and-339905.html- bleue is an idiot. how can you argue when you can't even get facts straight? kolb threw 3 ints last yr and they were against the saints. given that that was his first start and the saints were the Super Bowl Champs - not bad. As for Ed Reed, he has 46 career interceptions and 6 tds so clearly Kolb not alone there. Not to mention McNabb threw one to Ronde Barber in the NFC CHAMPIONSHIP game which I believe was a record for a defensive INT in an nfc championship game. Oh and it is spelled pic 6 on an int-td you idiot— tremo12
- Just heard that Delhomme has now signed with Browns. Teams needing QB's getting smaller an smaller. Eagles may be stuck with all 3, then next year have none as their contracts will run out.— watsonmr
- Donovan won division titles for us in 2001 - 2004. The problem was the league changed after the 2003 season when the Patriots mauled all the Colt receivers in the AFC championship. Since the rules changed following that season to protect receivers, a premium has been placed on accuracy. Its no coincidence, that the "new" NFL has passed by Donovan by and much of his success pre-dates the current state of the NFL— SanDiego_Phils_fan
- 5muststay...I am personally sick of his inability to actually put the ball near a receiver. getting a little tired of watching the ball hit the dirt. He now has more weapons now than he ever had, but he is up there in age and it is time to move on from him..He needs to go so we can get some draft picks to rebuild some defense so this team will someday have a chance of seeing a superbowl...he will be in the club as Dan Marino, just Marino is a LOT better...— crohnkiller
- What evidence do we have that Kolb is more "cerebral" than McNabb? I like Kolb, but come on.— p-diddy
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- As far as how #4 looks in that pic, Looks a deceiving, I see a guy who has been through the fire yet. Lets see how much he pukes after a full season under his belt, if he makes it that far.— realtruth
- Heres the deal lets say Kolb takes over for #5 next year if he flops with all the talent that he has around him this will be one of the biggest blunders ever. Compare that with the duds McNabb came in with and continued to carry his on his shoulders his whole career 5 NFC Championship bids, 1 SB appearance. Even though he hasn't produced a ring yet once he's gone he will be missed, at least for the true Eagles fans.— realtruth
- No, MisterGarrison, I saw it, but apparently these same guys telling dragoon6 that he's wrong missed it. Then again, I wouldn't expect someone of the opinion that McNabb "wants a SB more than anyone" to see that. I mean, really?? Did you choose to ignore it every time he's strutted down the field at the end of the game when we needed to score?! I've never seen a professional QB completely incapable of running the two minute drill, and he has never played with any sense of urgency--even in the Super Bowl. I agree that Donovan is a class act, but it's the SAME act all the time. After 11 years, it's clear that he is not a leader and a field general. If he was playing any other position he might be able to get away with "leading by example" as he calls it, but you need to grab the bull by the horns as a QB. While it is true that Kolb threw 3 interceptions against an opportunistic NO defense, he also led the team down the field to score at the end of the half and hit DeSean Jackson in stride several times with ease--two things McNabb has historically struggled with. Plus, he was nearly perfect in only his second game starting when we played KC. You can't tell me "it was only KC" because McNabb couldn't beat a winning team this year. Even with that said, it's too early to say what Kolb will be. Although, he does play with poise and the offense runs more efficiently with him in there. I've been a McNabb supporter since day 1, but he's always been a "square peg in a round hole" for Andy's offense. He's better suited in a more balanced offense and a vertical passing game. While Kolb may not be as potent a weapon and have as strong an arm as McNabb, he's more cerebral and runs the offense with better rhythm and timing, and that will only improve with more experience. Plus, I'd rather get something for McNabb this season if you're not going to extend him long term, and the Eagles haven't shown any signs of putting it all on the table to win the whole thing this year.
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- you're on to me bleue...or is it "your?"— dragoon6
- You are wrong soulman386. Neither Lurie or Banner have the kahuntas to take over the personnel matters. That's why Reid has the coach and VP of player personnel titles. Lurie and Banner only care about making the origanization financially successful...just like Brian Westbrook said...money is the main issue with this organization. If Lurie was going to tell Reid something like that, he would have ( or would have had the sense to...) tell him something a long time ago. Why hasn't he? You know why. With Reid's pass-happy BYU mentality/draft day failures and Banner/Lurie counting/guarding the $$$, the organization will never win a SuperBowl. End of story.— tony b
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- dragoon6, do you mean "pic" of number 4? Only time "pick" should be used when describing Kolb is when somebody is describing Ed Reed's record setting pick 6 against Kolb, or the 5 he threw in two games last year. 5muststay makes a good point, if any of us where in Donovan's shoes, we would have given up on the fans and media a long time ago since we can't appreciate what he's done for us.— Bleue
- Sheil, Lurie is the owner. If he says to Reid, "Andy I really want to see Kevin Kolb as the starting QB this season, let's try to trade Donovan." What is Reid gonna do? Quit? At the end of the day the owner has the final say.— soulman386
Ha ha ha! Two 1's for Kolb? Hard to believe ANYONE would give a 1st round pick for a career backup taken in the second round. lol— Mabus- Comment removed.
- Look at that pick of #4 - it says "poise, leadership, accuracy." Not a drop of vomit anywhere...— dragoon6
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