Answering the McNabb question
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Answering the McNabb question
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
It is a purely hypothetical question - one that is not based on fact, or at this point, even rumor.
But it's the kind of question that's debated among Eagles fans in the sometimes slow (especially this year) offseason months, and it's one that's been e-mailed to me multiple times.
Since Donovan McNabb was in town yesterday, I figured now would be a good time to address it:
Would the Eagles ever consider bringing McNabb back as a backup?
As I'm sure you've heard by now, the former Eagles quarterback was in South Jersey yesterday to help dedicate the McNabb Family Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Virtua Hospital in Voorhees, N.J. And he also took some time to work out with his former teammates. I don't think there's anything to that other than he wanted to hang out with some old friends while he was in town.
In terms of the immediate future - meaning 2011 - I think McNabb wants to start. That is not going to happen in D.C. after a disastrous one-year run with the Redskins, but it could happen elsewhere.
Remember, McNabb is one year removed from a season in which he completed over 60 percent of his passes, averaged 8.0 yards per attempt and tossed 22 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
The league is currently showcasing a younger group of quarterbacks. McNabb will be 34 at the start of next season. Among the top 10 leaders in quarterback rating in 2010, only Peyton Manning was 34 or older.
While McNabb's certainly past his prime, he might still be able to start in the league for a few years, even if he's no longer among the NFL's better QBs.
And I think that's at least what he's expecting to do. I highly doubt McNabb would be willing to accept a backup role as early as next season, so those of you who have asked whether he can be the veteran the Eagles need behind Michael Vick (assuming a Kevin Kolb trade) are out of luck.
But in 2012 or 2013?
I wouldn't completely rule it out.
The rationale is pretty simple.
From McNabb's perspective, if he realizes down the road that he is on his last legs and has no shot to start anywhere in the league, why not return as a backup to the city where he spent most of his career? While McNabb undoubtedly felt slighted when the Eagles dealt him, don't forget that he always wanted to stay. Even when he was introduced to the media in D.C., McNabb made it clear that the decision to leave was not one that he made.
And after a year with Mike Shanahan, he would probably welcome a return to the comfort level he had with Andy Reid (assuming Reid is still the coach).
As for the fans, we all saw the ovation McNabb received in his return to the Linc last season. I get the impression that many of you would welcome him back in a backup role. But you can answer that for yourselves in the accompanying poll.
From a football perspective (again, if Reid is still here), McNabb would already have a good grasp of the offense. Of course, it's one thing to know the offense and another to execute it. Maybe he won't have anything left, and the Eagles will have better options, but in a backup role, the expectations are obviously lowered quite a bit.
I'm not predicting it's going to happen, but it's certainly not the most far-fetched idea, especially considering the twists and turns this franchise has provided in recent years.
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let it go. we should just find another "quality" veteran qb for the backup position. kafka is not ready. get someone with experience to fill the spot. bring mcd back would only open old wounds and bitterness. and you know the media would not let him alone and would just rip him up and down. the team does not need that kind of distraction. it is time to move on.— Evil Overlord- his ego wouldn't be able to handle being a backup in philly. not after all those years as a starter.— sdffa13
- McNabb holding a clipboard, that would work out well. Has about as much chance as Farve holding a clipboard.— Drew777
- Let it go... he's not coming back.
— madaboutit - My comments (16)
Article: McNabb's status still unknown
You commented 1 time(s) out of 17 total comment(s)
Sat., 02/26/11 - 11:36 AM
BOLD PREDICTION:
Here's the scenario. McNabb & Hanesworth come to Philly in a trade that sends Kolb to Washington; we kill in the draft and pick future HOF calibur offensive linemen; they go buckwild on opposing defenses, allowing MV7 to do his thing; we get to the superbowl; Vick gets hurt, but we win with McNabb as back-up and we can all go home happy.— zero9one7 - Dear God...No No No
— Ashburn072 - The only time you will see McNabb in Eagles Green is if he does what Cunningham did, sign and then retire. And the only green could be a hat.— jlarsen6644
- He is done here. The grass is growing better since he left— Ssteve115
- hey dummies did you watch any washington games last year: interior o-line weak, slow manhandled at point of attack and lily white too many hits on QB, WR only santana moss, another wr has good deep speed few big plays downfield, so-called defense: changed to 3-4 did not have personnel haslett was not in the nfl when shanahan hired him he is also horrible, no nose tackle linebackers can't cover, secondary can't cover NO sacks can't stop the run or pass ranked no. 31 in the entire league. many of you think shanahan is some great coach he is a FRAUD overrated and outdated reid is better than him and he is not good, no QB could win in that situation not enough players.— only 9
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kk will lead us to promised land in 2012,13,14,15,16..he has quick release and was nfc player of week twice..he will not be traded and will be starter week 1..book it. wolf. — wolf 4
****************
Wolf, when you wake up from your deliriousness, pinch yourself to make sure you are awake. If KK was so good, he would already be starting for someone by now, even the Eagles. Stop trying to make him out to be something that he is not...an elite QB.
— will50 
What do we need with a fathead, overweight, has-been blowhard like Donowhine? We have The Mike Vick Experience! That's the beginning of our road to the Super Bowl. Now all we need is for Fat Andy and the Eagles FO to get on board and help Philadelphia win a championship!- too slow, too fat, too old, too stupid, too many worms killed and besides the linc worm families have just started to recover as they were nearly extinct, think of their babies— SkipinWV
- McNabb would never come back to Philly, and I would not blame him. The ignorant clowns who act as though he never won a game in this town would have a field day trashing him again. He may still win a super bowl long before the beagles' do!— lalaw9833
Comment removed.
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