Retirement decisions and McNabb
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Retirement decisions and McNabb
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Generally speaking, I can't stand stories about retirement decisions.
Like many of you, I never click on those headlines and wait until late August to find out who is actually calling it quits.
But this offseason, the retirement stories will carry a little more weight to this crowd.
Specifically, we're talking about Kurt Warner and Brett Favre.
Why? Because as we beat this Donovan McNabb/Kevin Kolb thing to death, the question that always arises is: Which teams could be interested in McNabb if the Eagles decide to shop him?
And invariably, the Cardinals and Vikings are mentioned as possible destinations.
Now, if those teams are interested in McNabb, will they press Warner and Favre for decisions earlier than usual? If Favre and Warner drag their decisions on, should we take it as a sign that those franchises have no interest in McNabb? Or maybe that the Eagles aren't shopping him?
Some things to keep an eye on, along with a couple other dates:
One is April 22. That's the NFL draft.
The other is May 5. That's when the Eagles owe McNabb a $6.2M roster bonus, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
As for the other quarterbacks, ESPN.com's Rick Reilly came away from an interview with Warner convinced that he's going to call it quits.
"It means I pray that God takes away the desire in me to play this game," Warner told Reilly. "I've loved it for so long. I need Him to take that away from me, so that I can be comfortable with this decision."
Favre told ESPN's Ed Werder that he's "highly unlikely" to play again. Obviously, that means nothing. He just turned in one of the best performances of his career. I think Favre will get the itch to give it another go.
Anyway, we'll keep an eye on the retirement stories as the offseason continues and, when appropriate, try to project how they could affect the Eagles.
So you can go ahead and continue to ignore those headlines elsewhere.
SI.com's Peter King mentioned McNabb and Kolb in his Monday Morninq Quarterback column:
Lot of buzz about whether the Eagles will go with Kevin Kolb or Donovan McNabb as the QB of the future. Only one man knows for sure. The Big Man. Andy Reid. He says McNabb, but why do I think that's a tepid endorsement?
It's interesting to note that King is one of the only (maybe the only) national writer who seems to support the notion of the Eagles dealing McNabb and going with Kolb.
Yesterday we posted 10 observations on each of the championship games:
Andy Reid did NOT emphatically say that McNabb would be the QB next season. After the Dallas game the reporters asked him if he expected McNabb to be back next season. He quickly answered "yes, I do." He didn't expand on that answer. It did not sound at all emphatic. It sounded like a provisional answer.— soulman386- Please do not introduce logic to this board. We need to read more about Donovan McNabb and Cliff Lee.— vafan
- The same ... day late and a dollar short crowd ... will all be back next year.— Gringo4
- Why is it that "Our Fans" are always asking for McNabb's head? Dan Marino never won the "Big Game" and it took Elway until his last 2 years to get his. Both of these QB'S were great. I love the Eagles and I hope to see McNabb end his career here where he belongs.— Smuve
- QBs who are true passers seem to win it all, don't they?— psuwelsh
Comment removed.- McNabb is 33 or 34 years old, has one year left on his contract which pays him $10M to $15M per year PLUS a $6.2M signing bonus..... that's not a real valuable trade chip.— Big Game
- Well, TO was wrong. He said if we had Favre, we'd win the super bowl. But, if we had Favre, we'd only have another NFC loss. Of course, that is better than one and done.— Bama
- Comment removed.
- They need to trade him to whomever offers the best package of picks. The Eagles are at least two years away from being serious contenders, especially with the current defense.— beegal99
- I think that McNabb would be the perfect fit in Minnesota. Big targets. The running backs can pick up third and ones. They like the screen. Terrific defense. I honestly think he would have a shot at winning a Super Bowl there. They certainly would trade McNabb to an NFC team. They traded with Dallas. All the Eagles care about is being competitive and making money. If they win a Super Bowl along the way, great. It will be crushing if the Saints win a Super Bowl before the Eagles.— HandNik
- Comment removed.
- phillysportscomplainer when did you and mcnabb get hitched?? because i doubt even his wife defends him as incessantly as you do
- Since Andy just extened his contract, expect Donovan to remain an Eagle.— wcoastphan
- Brett Favre took such an enormous pounding yesterday that I truly felt sorry for the magnificent old goat.If his wife has ANYTHING to do with the decision, he will be at home next year! The looks on her face when she was watching the man she loves get plowed under by the pass rush was......frightening. If he got out of bed this morning without help, bless his heart. I am certain he won't make ANY decision yet, because he will need at LEAST a month for his body to completely heal. But I am 0f the opinion that he will be back for another try for the ring! There is no question that the fire will be in his belly...and after all he IS the best shot the Vikes have to get there in the first place. I wish him all the luck in the world next season.— TBear
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