Eagles: Let's make a deal
Which NFL teams might be most interested in trading for Donovan McNabb or Michael Vick? Here's a quick look at the current marketplace:
Which NFL teams might be most interested in trading for Donovan McNabb or Michael Vick? Here's a quick look at the current marketplace:
FOR McNABB
Vikings: A marriage made in heaven. A Super Bowl contender that runs the West Coast offense and is coached by McNabb's old offensive coordinator (Brad Childress). This deal would get done in a minute if Brett Favre were to announce his retirement. But most people close to the situation, including Childress, expect Favre to return.
Browns: I'm guessing that neither Browns president Mike Holmgren nor new general manager Tom Heckert saw anything in the tape of Brady Quinn's nine starts last season (53.1 completion percentage, 5.23 yards per attempt) that convinced them he's the team's answer at QB. But right now, Holmgren's body language suggests he's inclined to give Quinn one more shot before looking elsewhere.
49ers: Mike Singletary said Alex Smith is his starter going forward, but isn't married to the idea. "We're always trying to get better at that position," he said. "It's a very important position and we're always looking at it." With two first-round picks (Nos. 13 and 16), Niners could trade one of them for McNabb and still add an impact player in the draft.
Broncos: Kyle Orton did a decent job of running Josh McDaniels' offense (62.1 completion percentage, 21 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 86.8 passer rating). But the Broncos' second-half collapse will weigh heavily on offseason personnel decisions.
Cardinals: When Kurt Warner announced his retirement, the Arizona desert seemed like the perfect landing spot for McNabb. Cards are a Super Bowl contender. Warner's on-site successor, former first-round pick Matt Leinart, still is a major question mark. McNabb makes his offseason home in suburban Phoenix, just down the street from head coach Ken Whisenhunt. But Cards GM Rod Graves isn't a big risk-taker. He's also the guy who drafted Leinart.
Panthers: Jake Delhomme averaged an interception every 18 attempts last season before getting hurt. Right now, their likely 2010 starter is Matt Moore, who guided them to a 4-1 finish and had a 98.5 passer rating. They'd probably be interested in McNabb. Trouble is, they don't have a first-round pick this year, which is what the Eagles would be looking for.
Seahawks: Matt Hasselbeck threw a career-high 17 interceptions and had a 75.1 passer rating. He turns 35 in September and has a new head coach with no ties to him. Seahawks likely will explore other QB options, and have an extra first-round pick (Nos. 6 and 14) at their disposal.
Jaguars: David Garrard hasn't had a passer rating above 83.5 the last 2 years. His coach, Jack Del Rio, called him a "middle-tier" QB at the end of the season, which wasn't meant as high praise. Bringing in McNabb would upgrade the position and almost certainly perk up their embarrassing attendance numbers.
Bears: Jay Cutler had an uneven season, but finished strong, throwing eight TDs and just one INT in the Bears' last two games. Finished with a career-best 27 TDs. Bears changed offensive coordinators, but they're not expected to change QBs.
Raiders: JaMarcus Russell is fat and lazy and had a league-worst 50.0 passer rating last season. But crazy Al Davis still is holding out hope that the light will go on and the kid will become a decent quarterback. He's not going to give up the eighth pick in the draft for a 33-year-old QB, and hell will freeze over before McNabb would ever agree to sign an extension with this inept organization.
Redskins: Speaking of hell freezing over, the same goes for the chances of the Eagles swapping McNabb to another NFC East team. Look for 'Skins to zero in on Sam Bradford in the draft.
FOR VICK
Rams: GM Billy Devaney was a personnel exec in Atlanta during Vick's final 2 years there and has expressed interest in him. Marc Bulger is beat up and finished the year on injured reserve. Only other option is Keith Null. I repeat, the only other option is Keith Null.
Bills: Ryan Fitzpatrick replaced benched Trent Edwards and started eight games. He's smart, but has limited skills. Bills haven't totally given up on Edwards, but would have interest in Vick.
49ers: A Hall of Fame linebacker like Mike Singletary appreciates the pressure a mobile quarterback like Vick puts on a defense.
Panthers: Panthers might be interested in bringing Vick in and letting him compete for the starting job. Then again, John Fox is going to be on the hottest of hot seats this season. Does he really want to take his chances with a guy Jim Mora Sr. once called a coach-killer?
Dolphins: Dolphins appear committed to Chad Henne, but he finished 29th in the league in TD percentage in '09 and was just 7-6 in 13 starts. They already have two option QBs on the roster in Pat White and Tyler Thigpen. Why not bring in Vick and switch full time to the option offense?
Titans: Vince Young's star appears to be back on the rise in Nashville. But Vick would make a better Plan B at this point than Kerry Collins, not to mention a dangerous option weapon. Jeff Fisher ran it occasionally with Young last year.
Seahawks: If Pete Carroll isn't willing to spend a high pick on McNabb, he might be willing to trade a more modest pick for Vick and let him compete with Matt Hasselbeck for the starting job.
Raiders: Vick would be a much better alternative to JaMarcus Russell than Bruce Gradkowski.