McNabb questions, answers and links
Are the Eagles really demanding a top 42 pick for Donovan McNabb? Would McNabb really refuse to play for teams like the Bills and the Raiders? Some thoughts on Thursday's news and rumors.
McNabb questions, answers and links
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Update (10 p.m.):
* The Donovan McNabb reports and rumors are getting stranger by the hour. The most recent comes from the Associated Press. A person familiar with the trade talks tells Rob Maaddi that the Eagles would only consider dealing McNabb if they receive a top-42 pick in April's draft. They're not demanding a first-round pick, or a second-round pick. But a top-42 pick?
Seems a bit odd to me. It's worth noting that the Raiders have the seventh pick in the second round (39th overall) and the Bills have the ninth pick in the second round (41st overall).
The thing to keep in mind here is that all sides are going to make demands (especially to the media), but ultimately, they will have to compromise some of those demands if they want to reach an agreement. In other words, it would be ridiculous for the Eagles to demand a top-42 pick and then reject a trade offer for the 43rd pick.
And the same goes for McNabb. He might not prefer to play for a team like the Bills or Raiders, but... well, just read below.
FROM EARLIER:
With so much Donovan McNabb stuff floating out there, let's round up some links and offer some opinions about what's going on:
* Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports reports that the Bills and Raiders have inquired about acquiring McNabb. However, a source told Robinson that McNabb would be unlikely to sign a long-term deal with either team. A source also told Jeff McLane of the Inquirer that McNabb would be unwilling to play in Buffalo or Oakland. A source told Les Bowen of the Daily News that those would not be "preferred destinations."
That may be how McNabb feels now, or how people close to him think he feels, but I think it could definitely change. Given everything we know about McNabb and his history here, I can't see him putting up a fight if the price is right. Think about it. Andy Reid goes to him and his agent and says the Eagles want to pull the trigger on a deal that would send him to Oakland. Do you really think he'd say no right away? Do you think he'd rather play for a coach and a franchise that don't want him? I don't see it.
More likely, McNabb would realize that he'll be turning 34 next season. He'd realize that signing a monster deal (possibly the final one of his career) would make more sense than risking the possibility of getting injured and playing out the final year of his contract in Philadelphia. In other words, money rules everything in these cases. If the price is right, McNabb will agree to play anywhere. That's what I think.
* At one point yesterday, it felt like there was no turning back for the Eagles. Given Andy Reid's comments and Donovan McNabb releasing a statement, you just felt like a deal was going to happen one way or another, that the McNabb/Reid era was over. But then I remembered him getting benched in 2008 against the Ravens and having that same feeling. A year and a half later, he's still here. For now, at least.
* While the rumored deal with the Rams does not seem imminent, if the Eagles were able to pry the first pick in the second round and a starting safety, they would have to pull the trigger. They could go offensive lineman, defensive lineman, linebacker or cornerback with two of the first three picks, and really improve personnel in some areas of need.
* Some have questioned whether such a move would make sense for the Rams. I say yes. With Kurt Warner retiring, the NFC West is up for grabs, even for a team that finished 1-15 last season. One of McNabb's greatest strengths is his ability to perform under less than ideal circumstances. In other words, even if the offensive line isn't up to par, or the weapons on the outside aren't great, McNabb has still shown he can put points on the board. Is it that far-fetched to think a Rams team that added McNabb and a defensive playmaker with the first overall pick could sniff .500? I say no.
* Several NFL executives tell Jason La Canfora of NFL.com that the Raiders are the team in heaviest pursuit of McNabb. Weren't they rumored to be interested in Terrell Owens a couple weeks back? That would be something.
* One non-McNabb note. At the league meetings, Roger Goodell mentioned the possibility of making all Week 17 games division matchups. And doing the same thing with a lot of the Week 16 games. I like the idea. I don't know if it solves the problem of teams sitting their starters in the final weeks because some division leaders will still have playoff positioning locked up. But it should help. And for better or worse, the excitement around Eagles-Cowboys the last two weeks has been great. Thoughts?
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Have a link I missed that's worth sharing? Or just an Eagles/McNabb question? E-mail me.
Sorry, Lonewolf, I won't let you rewrite your own history. You started the clock a year ago, you stooge. Now you're flip-flopping like a flapjack on a skillet, saying it'll take a decade. Trippin' over your own words.— birdseed
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"San Diego Lets Drew Brees go, and has been fine with Philip Rivers. Favre is let go and Rodgers hasnt missed a beat." LMAO. Umm, Brees won the SB with his new team & SD went 0-1 in the playoffs against a rookie QB-led Jets. Vikes with Favre went to the NFC Championship game (but lost) while GB lost in the Wildcard round. Yeah, they dodged some bullets there! Corsair--thank you for your insightful and intelligent post. Unlike the majority of blind haters/lovers that post here, you've added something worth reading.— Mabus- Kolb is like govt run health care. We won't know until he plays how good we really had it before.— smfree31
- Lonewolf last year: "Kolb will win the SB within two years, or sooner." Lonewolf yesterday: "Give KK a decade." Like a flapjack, flippin' and floppin'.— birdseed
- soulman, I don't think a person who kills boars with a knife as a hobby (Kolb) is good character person, do you? As for trading McNabb, I don't think is going to happen unless AR and the FO office get overwhelm with an offer they can’t refuse. They will look at the teams we are going to face this year (Green Bay, Minnesota, Atlanta, Houston, Indianapolis, Chicago, San Francisco, Jacksonville and Tennessee, besides the tough division opponents) and will say, not way we can make the playoffs with Kolb. If they think otherwise, they should be fired. The McNabb haters will point out that Kolb had two great games in a row in relief of McNabb, but he played against two of the worst defensive teams in the NFL. The yards against the Saints were mostly in garbage time when the game was out of hand and NO, which allowed almost 3800 passing yards in 2009 (26th ranked), was playing conservative. The Chiefs are, well the Chiefs. I'm afraid if they trade #5, the franchise will take a big step backward like the 76ers did when they traded Moses Malone and Barkley, imho.— EL Zorro
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- Many of us agree that if McNabb would shed 25lbs of muscle he may gain back his quickness and get more flexible in throwing. YES?— psuwelsh
- San Diego Lets Drew Brees go, and has been fine with Philip Rivers. Favre is let go and Rodgers hasnt missed a beat. Qbs coming out of College today are better than they have been historically. The coaching and decison making, playcalling and offensive systems are off the charts in the NCAA. Kolb looks pretty polished. He could totally blow, who knows. But what I do know is that McNabb has had 10 years. Would it be better to dump Reid and keep McNabb, probably but that decision was made already, so its a moot point. McNabb needs to go, its time and it feels right. For those who love him, endings are always bad. But he wasnt winning anything next year with this defense. Dallas steamrolled the Eagles. We need an overhaul. Every player today wears another uniform at somepoint. Its time to see a change because 10 years of the same results arent getting it done.— 1st and goal
- Corsair42 you're on point. You seem to be one of the few people to look at things logically. Kolb isn't the answer. McNabb has been great for the organization. I say resign him and draft a QB. I would rather take chances with Colt McCoy or someone else as the future Eagle's signal caller after McNabb— soldierboy
- Wow... Win 11 games, throw for your second highest totals, make the playoffs and people want to get rid of you. McNabb is a frachise QB that has won games with the likes of Todd Stinkston, James Trash, Na "No Hands" Brown, Freddie "Invisible Man" Mitchell and when he finally gets the best set of skill players they want him out of here. McNabb wasn't playing O-line or Defense.... The make shift line and porous defense were key in our loss in the playoffs. I'm not sold on Kolb he was horrible against a good D and put up lofty numbers against porous defenses. He throws a lot of interceptions and doesn't look like he has the arm strength to complete deep passes. Resign McNabb, trade Kolb for picks.. I would rather take my chances with someone like Colt McCoy who could be developed as McNabb finishes out his Eagles career— soldierboy
- Alright, the dye has been cast. A top 42 pick or Donovan stays, in reality, is reasonable. Those wanting to just give Donovan away or... If, a team makes a deal, it will be good for both parties. If, no team makes a deal, it will be good for Philly as well. Next year, the Eagles have the 9th toughest schedule and Kolb had better be ready from day one should he be the starter. The teams having to face him know, there's nothing like putting fear in a QB, they'll meet twice a year. Hint, every NFC foe. Now the waiting game begins, at eh end of the day, McNabb is and has always been underappreciated. I wish him and the team, all the best.— AJW2009
- McNabb-hater is not an entirely fair label. You watch the same things repeat themselves over a decade and come to the realization that a change at QB is worth the risk. Could it be an absolute failure? Yes. Does anyone really, truly think McNabb can win a Super Bowl in Reid's system? I don't. I don't want 13 win seasons that end up without a championship. They are no better than 3 win seasons. Wanting McNabb gone doesn't make me a hater; it just signifies my faith that the young nucleus including Kolb could put us over the hump in a year or two and bring home a championship and I don't want to waste another year with McNabb as a lame duck QB. Thanks Corsair for your insight on Kolb. It is impossible to predict how well a college QB will perform in the NFL. If we could, we could pick any team in the league to work for and name our price.— djack10
- Question if McNabb is SO GOOD then why aren't more teams interested in making a deal for him. McNabb's days are over the KEVIN KOLB ERA BEGINS— thomasg
- Does the Inquirer plan on doing any reporting on this? Or just linking to everyone else? Get to work.— arappep
- This is getting ridiculous..Father of te year Andy Reid said-He's my qb." Then he said, I love the 33rd pick...now it's the 42nd pick...send them both out fo town pleae and start over.— Dr. Michael
- After Kolb takes over, and if the Eagles are out of contention with 6 games remaining (which I think is a real possibility), I wonder what all the McNabb-haters will be saying. Someday we're going to be dealing with Kolb-haters.— p-diddy
- A reliable source that the early Donovan McNabb trade terms with the Raiders would also send Asante Samuel to Oakland in exchange for Nnamdi Asomugha.... All over the internet— fman727
- If the Eagles lose McNabb via this stupidity, Andy Reid will be naked with all his flaws apparent.— rad205
- If the Eagles lose McNabb via this stupidity, Andy Reid will be naked with all his flaws apparent.— rad205
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- All I know is that Andy Reid would never publicly admit to trading McNabb unless he seriously considering it. Andy may be playing coy but I think a deal is coming, probably draft day.— flyerdup
- Lonewolf, I'm neither an apologist nor a Kolb-hater. Never even met him, though I've seen him play -- apparently more than you. I'm a realist. I won't dispute your made-up stat about 75% of fans wanting to see Kolb. There's no doubt a certain lethargy has set-in with the current dynamic, so I would assume a good number of fans want change simply for change's sake. As I said, if you really think Kolb is the answer, you're possibly delusional. I love Jaws. Gave us three to four great years. And Youngstown, even way back yonder, played in a conference with a much tougher and more talented reputation than the woeful C-USA. Even the despised Tony Romo came from a smaller conference with better talent than the C-USA. If Kolb was ever the "real deal" it was coming out of Stephenville HS -- and he was barely recruited. Kolb's career record is 26-24. His completion rate was just over 61% and for roughly every two touchdowns he threw... he also threw a pick. That's in college. In a terrible conference. Small school QBs like Rothliesberger/Romo/Jaws didn'thave those kind of stats. Kolb is probably a good guy, like most Texans. He might even do well in Reid's system. But he is an average, systems QB who cannot read progressions or identify defenses. I would also assume, since you have such man-love for Kolb, you really wouldn't want him to start this season. The offensive line is terrible.. maybe the worst since McNabb was a rookie. If Kolb does indeed have NFL caliber talent, he's never going to be able to showcase it with the current line. Wouldn't you prefer to spend the season letting McNabb take the hits, drafting and grooming OL? That, of course, was just a sap to help you through what will be a difficult realization. Kolb isn't the answer.— Corsair42
- I don't know what it is with my hometown. Why we eat our own. We ran Mike Schmidt away from Philly and he was the best third baseman in the history of baseball. Ran Charles Barkley away when he was in his prime with the 76ers. Now we are getting ready to run the best quarterback in franchise history away. We didn't like him from the day we drafted him and all he did was play his heart out. Philly, all of you wanting Kolb, you don't know what you're asking for. Sometimes wanting is better than getting. It will be interesting to see the posts once Kolb isn't what you thought he was! Hope the management of the team is a little more "in tune" with what they are risking.— southern eagle fan
- All of you McNabb haters I simply don't understand. Yes McNabb has his faults, but I remember the bad old days prior to his arrival, when we didn't even SMELL the playoffs. When all we had was the hope of beating Dallas ONCE during the season! Most of you don't know what it is like, year after year KNOWING you're going to have a losing year and looking forward to the draft in September. I hope McNabb stays, but if they trade him, the past will be the future.— southern eagle fan
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- If you keep McNabb, you have to make a big push to solidify the o-line and add a few pieces defensively. I don't think one offseason is enough to get all that done. He's a great QB and we can win a SB with him if we had more depth... but b/c it may take a couple years to fill those voids at other positions, it may be the best move to get extra picks for him now and start Kolb.— brimo8
- If McNabb is traded, I hope the childish - or simply ignorant- haters on this board like lonewolf are prepared for what they will reap. I live in Texas. I have seen Kevin Kolb play high school ball and at the University of Houston. He has some talent. And he will make a great career backup in the NFL. Keep one thing in mind, folks. Kolb put up great college numbers in four years as a starter at UH... and won one conference championship. Yes, the level of talent around him certainly impacted his record. Kolb, however, played in Conference USA. That put him against such "powerhouses" at SMU, UAB and Tulsa, with a non-conference schedule that regularly included the likes of North Texas or Sam Houston State. For those of you that point to McNabb's playof record, Kolb is 0-3 in mediocre bowl games. Simply put, he has never put his talent against even or superior talent and won. I hear a lot about Kolb's total yards and touchdowns in college. He also threw a lot of intereceptions. And his total career touchdowns ties him with Bruce Gradowski and Andrew Walter. How did they fare in the NFL? He is a system QB with lots of INTs Kolb's two games last year were against a terrible KC team and a New Orleans defense that had secondary questions even going into the Super Bowl. Oh, yeah, and the Eagles lost that game. If McNabb - the greatest QB in Eagles history - leaves, this team is destined for mediocrity. We will spend the next 10 years trying to find another franchise QB. How ironic that, as Donovan is leaving, we finally have something he lacked - decent receivers to throw to. And soon, we will have no one to throw the ball to them. Lonewolf, for as long as I've read the Philly.com boards, you've been spouting your inane bile under various guises. You either enjoy being the provocateur or are ignornat and racist. Which, I guess is redundant. To #5, thanks for being a class act and giving this town some great football... which we never really had before.— Corsair42
- WOW!!!...We might get...(gulp!)...waaaaaait for it..JAMARCUS RUSSELL!! Oh JOY!!...Oh fabjurous day!! Oh that stud is gonna look SOOO good rushing the passer on third down from that DT spot when the other team....what?...very funny, now as I was say...really?? He is really and truly a guy drafted AS a Quarterback? Naaahhh, come on maaaan, I don't think ....what?...Are you SURE?? Well, OK if you say so but...c'mon now! who'd be dumb enough to draft him AS a QB, I mean...Al Davis did that?? Is he getting senile or something? Geeze, hold on here a minute...NOOOOOOO...Donovan! COME BAAAAACK!!!!— TBear
- Home field advantage in the playoffs should be tied to December record. For instance, regular 1-6 seeding stays the same, but if the 5 seed wins and plays the 1 seed in could be in the 5 seeds park if they went 3-1 in December and the 1 seed went 2-2 (tanking a game). If both are 3-1, the 1 seed gets the home game. Peyton would have played harder against the Jets in December if he thought the Championship game had a chance of being played in a snowstorm.— Relocator
- McNabb gets traded. Vick stays around for one more year. Eagles draft a QB in the late rounds or sign an undrafted FA this year. Eagles draft another QB next year after Vick departs. Where in the draft would depend on Kolb's performance. This will come to pass.— Rick Wise Guy
- i think donovan would actually do well on a strong running team like the vikes, at lesat better then this precision offense in philly. he neesd a deep ball team... the raiders would actually be interesting to see. if they had any WRs— sasquatches
- Sgerat - why are you asking that on every single story? Miami has Henne, Pennington, and White...Tampa is rebuilding with their young QBS.— EaglesBleedMoney
- Why aren't Miami and Tampa Bay interested?— Sgerat
- Cuso great point! Wish my other Negadelphia brethren would look at it that way!— BammBamm
- Of course the Cowgirls fans like Lonewolf want McNabb out of Philly.....
- I wouldn't be suprised if someone from the Eagles purposefully leaked that false Rams deal to Jeff McLane to try and stir up the market a bit— Lemur
- I hear we're getting Cliff Lee in the deal for McNabb also. Two Words... SUPER BOWL!— mundiff
- lonewolf you ares still a loser boy.— ec420de
- I'm a Raiders fan and I will gladly trade for McNabb just as long as Jamarcus Becomes an Eagle. Then you can truly appreciate what McNabb is.— cuso20
- What I can possibly see happening is that once McNabb leaves and Kolb takes over, Kolb will have a bad game, or not be able to make some plays. The hates in this city will start with "Kolb stinks", but it'll really be about how good McNabb really is, although not perfect, he makes some plays other can't make.— beegal99
- PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE someone take our BOZO the CLOWN away from the ealges-----throw in LASSIE kILLER to sweeten the deal---PLEASE !!!!— jwatson
- lonewolf you will get use to it till the eagles are 1-5 6 games in and Kolb is terrible then you will be bashing andy reid and his gm duties and you will become the very apologist you detest. It will be poor Kolb and andys playbook. And guess what wolfie, you will be as exposed then as you are now. Monty OUT!— montymiller
- Nothing but the truth: Have you even followed Sheil's posts for the year? Have you seen that after every game he reviewed all the offensive and defensive players and commented on their play during that week? Or that he gave details on penalties per player. Or any of the 100 other original posts he gave? Sheesh.— joeags
- It's understandable why most people are pro McNabb leaving. I just think people need to prepare for tough times to come. Kolb showed some promise but two starts isn't enough to build a case on. Air guitar and all, McNabb is a good QB. There is a reason why he has lasted this long compared to others who were drafted the same year. I think the fans also need to ask this question. Would Kolb have been the difference between us winning or losing those last two Cowboys games? Everyone knows deep down that he wouldn't have. I think the birds have more important concerns than 5 playing QB. I hope he stays.— BammBamm
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- Sounds like another case of bad journalism. Scouring the internet like a 15 year old kid looking for rumors to post. Whatever happened to rechecking the information and verifying the sources? Instead our journalist are nothing more than TMZ or NEGATIVE NEWS NOW networks that just rush out a story even if it's possibly fabricated. I wish would could trade our writers for some real journalist who take pride in their work.— Nothing but the truth
- sure y not— aman1711
- Kolb has solid character too. Give him a chance.— soulman386
- I agree. Players can't resist a big pay day. They know they're one injury away from the sudden end of their careers. Ask Shawn Andrews. He's happy that he signed that extension with the Eagles and got a signing bonus even though the deal was ridiculed by other players at the time. If the price is right McNabb will sign an extension with any team.— soulman386
- Whether it's division games or not, if a team can rest its starters, it will, and you can't blame them for doing it in the most brutal sport there is. As for Donovan, it's a tough situation he's in, and as usual, he's dealing with it with class. He's never been in trouble with the law, gives back to both communities he lives and works in, serves as a role model for kids and has been one heckuva QB, all while serving under the microscope that is Philly sports. Sure hope we get three or four more years of 5, he's better than most of you guys give him credit for. Its a team sport, when the team gets better, the team can win.— Bleue
- week 17 division games is a great idea.— sasquatches
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