McNabb, Kolb trades shape 'D'
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McNabb, Kolb trades shape 'D'
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
The Eagles' last playoff win came on January 11, 2009 against the New York Giants.
Donovan McNabb was the starting quarterback for 16 regular-season and three playoff games that season as the Birds snuck into the playoffs with a 9-6-1 record, advanced to the NFC championship game and eventually fell to the Arizona Cardinals.
McNabb's backup was Kevin Kolb, a second-year player who had attempted 34 passes and had to wait until the following season to make his first NFL start.
Now, a little more than three years later, McNabb is reportedly working with Warren Moon to make himself attractive to NFL teams. But retirement may be near for the 35 year old.
Kolb started only nine games in his first season with the Cardinals last year and is looking to prove that Arizona made a wise move in trading for him.
The Eagles, meanwhile, are counting on a number of players from the McNabb and Kolb trades to make an impact on this year's defense.
Let's start with the McNabb swap. The Eagles sent him to the Redskins on Easter Sunday in 2010 for a second-round pick in that year's draft, along with a conditional third- or fourth-rounder in 2011. With the second-round pick (37th overall), the Eagles selected safety Nate Allen. Allen's first two years have been marred by injuries and inconsistent play with flashes of production. He's slated to be a starter in 2012, but the Birds need him to put everything together in his third season.
The other pick ended up being a fourth-rounder (No. 104 overall) in 2011. But the Eagles traded that selection to the Bucs (who took Tennessee tight end Luke Stocker). In exchange, the Birds moved down 12 spots and selected linebacker Casey Matthews. They also received a fourth-round draft choice in 2012 from Tampa.
However, the Eagles didn't make the 2012 pick they got from the Bucs. Instead, they used it as the primary compensation to acquire middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans from the Texans earlier this offseason. The two teams swapped third-round picks as well (Nos. 76 andd 88 overall).
So overall, for McNabb, the Eagles got Allen, Matthews and to a degree, Ryans. I mentioned expectations for Allen above. Matthews will get a chance to compete at WILL and nickel linebacker, while the Eagles are counting on Ryans to solidify the middle, which has been a constant problem.
As for Kolb, the Birds dealt him to the Cardinals in July of last year for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round pick. Rodgers-Cromartie struggled in the slot last year and will move back outside in 2012, which is the final year of his contract.
The second-round pick was No. 51 overall, but the Eagles traded back eight spots to No. 59 and took defensive end Vinny Curry. They also got a fourth-rounder from the Packers in the deal (No. 123 overall) and picked Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin. Boykin will get a chance right away to replace Joselio Hanson as the nickelback and be the team's kickoff returner. Curry will likely be a rotational pass rusher, who will have a chance to start in the future if he produces.
So overall, for Kolb, the Eagles got Rodgers-Cromartie, Curry and Boykin.
And for both quarterbacks, here's the total: Allen, Rodgers-Cromartie, Matthews, Curry, Boykin and to some degree, Ryans.
There have been other moves on defense along the way. Most notably, the signings of Nnamdi Asomugha, Cullen Jenkins and Jason Babin, along with several draft picks. But in many ways, the players the Eagles received for Kolb and McNabb project to have a significant impact on the success of this defense in 2012.
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if anyone is to blame for casey matthews, its andy reid and juan castillo. matthews wasn't ready to start and they threw him in the lineup like he was a 5 year vet. and of course at the end of the season, reid comes clean to admit that the LBs situation might have been overlooked. YA THINK, ANDY?— sdffa13- nice piece sheil.— sore richard
- This is the year for Vick. The pressure is on. no excuses. Win or leave.— Tyrone Biggums
- An interesting take, Sheil.— armchairGM
- RG3 is already better than Vick and RG3 is 10 years YOUNGER so he will keep getting better every year, while Vick is already declining every year, and Vick is a 32 year old loser that has never won anything.....also Cam Newton is already better than Vick also..LOL.— phil500
- Cam Newton is better, RG3 is better and I'm betting that YOU are better too.
RG3 hasn't played a down and Cam Newton is more of a runner than Vick is but yet he's a better QB when you constantly remind us that a QB is to stand in the pocket. You might want to stop posting or get another name because phil500 post the most inane and insane comments known to Internet Board posts. - What shaped the "D" was Andy and the mailboys garbage picks.....and the lack of value they place on linebackers and the idea that a fourth round reach could be a starter.....The fault lies directly at Andy's feet....— nuggett
- @— Section 730
actually i'm in your basement,, remember?— osi is hurt boohoo - The Eagles trading of McNabb was a masterstroke. I cannot believe Snyder gave up a second round pick for him. LOL.— valorius
- Guess what they will get for Vick if they try and trade him next year. that's right! RELIEF!— osi is hurt boohoo
- @phil500 Vick may not be the best quarterback in our division but he is definately a good one. How can you say that RG3 is already better? He may be, but he hasn't even taken a snap yet. As for Vick not winning a playoff game, I recall him going into Lambeau and beating the Packers as underdogs. Tony Romo has only won 1 playoff game as well... so your statement has very little merit. If you're just a hater, then I apologize for wasting your time.. but if you're a fan, I don't really understand why you wouldn't be optimistic this year.
- Vick is not a very good quarterback. at all. His TD numbers are like 2, 5, 7, 10, 12, 20, and 14. For a starter those numbers are TERRIBLE. his career accuracy is TERRIBLE. under pressure, NOT GOOD AT ALL. the only thing he is elite at is SCRAMBLING. THATS IT. and that DOES NOT WIN SUPERBOWLS BY ITSELf. NEVER HAS. EVER. also Reid hasnt won a playoff game in three freaking years, other caoches have been fired for less then that, even IF he wins one playoff game this year, which is the max I see from this team, that 1 playoff win in 4 years, same as Kotite, same as Rhodes both produced, ALL GOT FIRED. MATH = ANDY IS GONE IF HE DOESNT GET TO A SUPERBOWL. TERRIBLE OVER-RATED MEDIOCRE GARBAGE PART 4 COMING UP.— CharlieGarner25
- Lets ask again, who would you prefer to have running the show the past two yrs and next yr, Vick or Kolb? You would take Vick all day as Reid did and its also why it extended his stay in Philly another few yrs. I am no big fan of Vicks, but it was the best choice for the team to win now. Of course he more than likely wont win a superbowl but he gives you best chance and maybe a slight chance at a playoff run. That is also what wins in NFL, get in, get on a run, see what happens. Helps to have a solid D like McNabb had.— peteike
- The fans here will be very upset when Kolb outplays and beats Vick in the Arizona game this year.....LOL— phil500
- Well I guess the fans can be relieved to know they'll never have to be concerned about being upset......LOL — charmaine
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