The Buddy System - With Donovan McNabb now in Washington, could we be in store for a T.O. - McNabb reunion? According to sources, the Redskins and their new quarterback have begun to consider signing veteran wide-receiver Terrell Owens, who teams have shown little interest in this offseason and is still a free-agent seeking a place to play. After a shaky relationship between both players who were often seen feuding on a daily basis in the city of Brotherly Love from 2004-2005, McNabb has begun encouraging his new organization to consider signing the 6-time Pro Bowler. And with a new team who lacks the talent in the wide-receiver department that McNabb had in Philly, T.O. to the nation's capital sounds like a perfect nesting ground.According to Owen's agent, the discussion of once again playing alongside one another began when the two were on set to film an episode of Spike TV's 'Pro's vs. Joe's'. An episode that brought back memories of the two, as McNabb was seen connecting to Owens in the end-zone just like old times. But with a new coach and sheriff in town, would Mike Shannahan be able to handle a relationship like the one McNabb and Owens have, in only his first year in Washington? Owens' agent also said, "The two are buddies again." But how long will that last, before they begin bumping heads if the they end up playing for the same team again? Thanks to T.O.'s offseason arrival to Philadelphia in 2004, McNabb had his best season statistically as he went on to become the first quarterback in league history to throw for over 30 touchdowns and less than 10 interceptions in a single season. The Eagles went on to the Superbowl for the first time since 1980, where they lost to the New England Patriots 24-21.Although the idea of reuniting Owens and McNabb remains a rumor, could it be best for the team? In most cases I would say no, but given the two have recent history and have shown they can be a deadly duo in the passing game, I say yes. There's no doubt T.O. is a cancer to the team wherever he goes, but given McNabb's been through it all before, it's nothing he can't handle. Besides, the Redskins current receiving corps highlighted by Santonio Moss isn't expected to do the job alone, so I say take a shot at acquiring T.O. regardless of the troubles he brings to the sidelines and into the locker room. And it's not like he'll be asking for much, granted no other team has dished him an offer to this point.
Andy Reid & Donovan McNabb divorce - Just last week when it was announced that the Oakland Raiders emerged as the leading candidate to land Eagles QB Donovan McNabb, we thought the possibility of the 6-time Pro Bowler joining the Raider Nation was almost set in stone. Instead, a sleeper team that was hardly mentioned in acquiring McNabb if ever, ends up landing him. Although Donovan McNabb has been rumored to trades for years now, no one ever thought they would see the day their quarterback of 11-years was traded... At least I didn't. But as surprising as the actual move was, I think the destination was the most surprising. The dark horse in landing McNabb just so happened to be the Washington Redskins.With an offensive mastermind like Mike Shanahan now under the throne in the nation's capital, I think it made McNabb's decision a little bit more comfortable to take in where he'll be playing in 2010. If last year's 'Skins coach Jim Zorn was still with the team, I'm not too sure a deal would've been done and if so, I'm not quite sure how McNabb would have felt. With McNabb moving to another team within the NFC East, he will face his former team not once, but twice a year. With the 4th overall pick in this year's draft and a QB on their mind prior to McNabb's signing, it'll be interesting to see whether or not they still target a QB, with only a year left on McNabb's contract. But I'm guessing an extension will soon be on the table. Coincidentally both Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy had long scheduled visits with the team today, hours before McNabb was introduced to his new team for the first time.It might not be the Minnesota Vikings, the team McNabb preferred to be dealt for, but it sure beast the Black Hole that is the Oakland Raiders in my opinion. As for the guy who's spot McNabb will be replacing, last year's starting QB Jason Campbell might as well consider himself trade bait. The poor guy has been the team's starter for the past two seasons and didn't even know his job was soon to be taken over by Mr. McNabb before being informed by a Washington Examiner who reached home hours later over the telephone. However, Donovan made sure to also contact Campbell himself and let him know that those weren't his intentions. Campbell understood as he now begins to play the waiting game. So far of all 30 NFL teams, 5 have shown interest in the 28-year old Auburn alum. The Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars and an "unknown team". All of which will be soon to make offers.If you ask me, I say both McNabb and Campbell were mistreated in this whole ordeal. And I'm not the only one who thinks so. Both Eli Manning and Hall of Fame QB Warren Moon agreed and were shocked and said, "The Eagles aren't showing him the type of respect he deserves." Donovan himself is also aboard the same ship whether he expresses it or not. After expressing that he wanted to play in Philly for the remainder of his career, one can only wonder how he feels after spending over a decade with the same team. His response to being asked for his take on Philadelphia's youth movement says it all. “They're rebuilding, and they're going young,” McNabb said. “So I never knew 33 years old was old, but I guess I'm too old.” Donovan also expects the Philly fans to embrace and cheer for him when the two teams meet at Lincoln Financial Field next season.In my last post Could Don be Gone?, I asked the question if this could be the last of the McNabb era in Philly. And well, now the answer is yes. So get rid of your McNabb jersey's and prepare for the beginning of a new era, the Kolb era.
McNabb out, Kolb in? - For whatever reason, the Philadelphia Eagles have built a reputation for having more than one decent player at the quarterback position at the same time. Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick and Kevin Kolb all seen playing time on the field last season and could all fill a starting role if needed. And after planning to keep all three, the Eagles have begun to at least listen to offers for their over populated QB position, including their most prized possession -- Donovan McNabb. Over the past year or two, McNabb has been rumored to trades, but the organization along with coach Andy Reid have made it clear that those rumors remained just that. But 10 years with the franchise and no rings to show for, talks regarding a trade are once again brewing.This past Wednesday at the owners meeting, Eagles head coach Andy Reid touched on the subject by saying, "I'm currently listening to offers, I'm not saying we're doing anything, but we're keeping our ears open." Immediately as the news broke, the St. Louis Rams were rumored to be a possible suitor for the 6-time Pro Bowl QB. But with the first overall pick in this year's draft, Oklahoma Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford seems to be the man on St. Louis' wish list. As far as best fits go, ESPN's NFL Live believes another team in the NFC West would be the perfect destination for McNabb, the Arizona Cardinals. The man himself however, says if he were to be dealt, he would prefer playing as a Minnesota Viking which creates some more drama. Would the Vikings choose the a 33-year old McNabb over a 40-year old Brett Favre?With the world not knowing what his next move might be and an unsure veteran in Brett Favre, depending on whether the Vikings are willing to wait for his decision, patience might be the key in this situation. Minnesota head coach Brad Childress, however, said he would give Favre as much time as he needed to make up his mind. Last season saw the 3-time NFL MVP return for his 18th year, as late as August 18th, less than a month before the start of the regular season. But if they plan to keep their word and wait for the never aging Brett Favre, McNabb may be off the market by the time his decision is made. Eagles back-up QB Kevin Kolb seen some brief action as the starter last year when McNabb went down with an injury. Despite a 1-1 record, Kolb became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for more than 300 yards in each of his first two career starts. As for Michael Vick, well I'm sure you know about him by now.Other possible destinations for McNabb, are the Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders and the Arizona Cardinals. All of which are unsure of who the starting quarterback will be come the start of the 2010-2011 NFL season. Could this be the end of the McNabb era in Philly?
The Delhomme era is over - After seven long years in Carolina, the Panthers are now moving on without the man that helped get them to the Superbowl in 2003. An emotional Jake Delhomme was seen in a press conference where he announced that he was released by the team. The 2005 Pro Bowl QB was cut by Carolina after having the worst season of his 10 year NFL career, throwing for 8-touchdowns and 18-interceptions. So far, only the Cleveland Browns have shown interest in the Panthers all-time leading passer. With Delhomme out of the picture, Carolina is now seeking a QB to compliment their dominant run game of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, thus opening a window that could fill the needs of both the Panthers and former NFL superstar - Michael Vick.
According to the Gangsta Grillz radio show in Atlanta, Georgia, Vick expressed his desire to play for Carolina and potentially being the starting QB of the squad. A job Vick hasn't held since the 2006 season, due to his suspension in August of '07. In an interview, Vick went on to say he likes Carolina's uniforms and he would get to play his former team [the Falcons] twice a year. However, it appears the Eagles will pick up Vick's second year option, resulting in another back-up role with Donovan McNabb. That's if McNabb isn't traded. Although it's unlikely a trade dealing the 6-time Pro Bowler McNabb will go down, trade rumors have been hovering over him since the 2007 season. And now that Vick has payed his dues both behind bars and behind McNabb, I think it's time to give the former first overall selection some playing time as a starter.
Fun Fact: Something you may not know about Michael Vick, is that prior to his 1st overall selection in the 2001 NFL Draft, Vick was drafted in the 2000 MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies, despite not playing baseball in college at Virgina Tech.
With Donovan McNabb out after the first week for the Philadelphia Eagles, it seemed like the next 2 weeks without him were going to be dreadful. Instead, the team has done quite well with their backup Kevin Kolb filling the void. In his first start against the New Orleans Saints, Kolb threw for 391 yards, despite losing the game 22-48. Week 3 however was a different story. Kolb again threw for over 300 yards, tallying up a total of 327 yards to go along with 2 touchdowns, in route of beating the Kansas City Chiefs 34-14.Kolb became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 300 yards in his first two career starts. But in spite of all that, he'll have to return to the bench with McNabb set to return after Philadelphia's BYE week in week 4. Talk about a hard way to return the sidelines. But at least Eagles head coach Andy Reid will know who to call on if McNabb's fragile ribs happen to bother him again. After their BYE this week, McNabb will be expected to start at home against Tampa Bay.
With the NFL season finally kicked off and week 1 in the books, there were tons of different stories and scores that could have made headlines but none came to mind as frequent as Donovan McNabb and the Eagles. McNabb's been known to have bad ribs over the past few years but coming into week 1, that wasn't a liability. Unfortunately McNabb suffered from yet another rib injury. This one coming after McNabb rushed for a 3-yard touchdown in the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers. As of right now, McNabb's status for Sunday's match-up against the New Orleans Saints is still unknown. However the biggest let down of this whole ordeal is that even if McNabb is sidelined, Michael Vick wouldn't be the one substituting for him. We'd all love to see #7 take the field, but week 3 couldn't come any later for Vick and the Eagles. Instead it looks like Kevin Kolb who finished the game for McNabb on Sunday, will be the one in for the job if needed. Vick's been activated however, but is still serving his suspension that lasts until week 3, preventing him from making a debut we all would have enjoyed watching. Behind Kolb is newly acquired and once upon a time Philadelphia Eagle Jeff Garcia. Garcia could easily be the starter on many teams which gives the Eagles some of the best depth in the NFL at the quarterback position.
