Andy Reid has a problem. Actually “5” of them. Well not exactly. He has one problem who happens to wear No. 5
The Eagles boss met the media yesterday for the post-mortem after the second dismantling of his squad in as many weeks as the Cowboys booted the Birds out of the NFL playoffs. Reid was again asked if Donovan McNabb would be his quarterback next year. He indicated Donovan will be back.
There are no reports that he had any fingers or toes crossed at the time.
Reid, Banner, Lurie and the rest of the brass that make up the much-vaunted “gold standard” down at the NovaCare Center will have a very difficult time selling that to a fan base that has just been kicked in the teeth for the umpteenth time.
Here’s their problem. McNabb is a good NFL quarterback. Maybe even a very good one. But he has shown again and again that he falls short when it comes to playing teams that are on the same level – or better – than the Birds. That’s never been more clear than after the last two outings against the hated Cowboys. McNabb again had that confused look, unsure of himself, and the game plan, tentative, holding onto the ball too long, and when he did deliver it, doing so far too erratically.
For a long time McNabb’s legs often bailed him out of such circumstances. That’s no longer the case. Now he has to rely on his quarterback skills. Those skills were enough to lead the Eagles to 11 wins this year. But almost all of them were against lesser teams. The Eagles were the only entrant to this year’s NFL playoffs that had not won a single game against another playoff-caliber foe.
Donovan came up woefully short this year against the Cowboys – three different times.
Reid can’t be serious when he says – with a straight face – that the plan is for Donovan to be back next year.
Of course, Reid would not comment when asked if he thought McNabb would get the extension he clearly wants. He will enter the season on the last year of his deal.
Maybe that will be the Eagles’ out.
Reid said yesterday that he had “three stinkin’ good quarterbacks” in McNabb, Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick.
It’s unlikely Vick will be back unless the Eagles plan to use him as their starter. He’s due to make $5 million and change next year. The Eagles won’t do that.
It comes down to McNabb or Kolb.
We know which won stunk the past two weeks.
This isn’t going to end pretty.
McNabb has been nothing but the epitome of class during his 11-year stay in Philly. He’s never had even a whiff of scandal around him. He has led the Eagles to easily their longest stretch of winning football.
But it’s time for a change. I don’t believe for a minute that Reid and the Eagles brass can’t see that.
Despite what they say. I still believe McNabb and the Eagles will part ways, and we’ll see the beginning of the Kevin Kolb era.
But if they don’t, if they decide to take one more shot with McNabb, I hope the “gold standard” has a way to spin straw into gold.
They’re going to need it.
The Eagles boss met the media yesterday for the post-mortem after the second dismantling of his squad in as many weeks as the Cowboys booted the Birds out of the NFL playoffs. Reid was again asked if Donovan McNabb would be his quarterback next year. He indicated Donovan will be back.
There are no reports that he had any fingers or toes crossed at the time.
Reid, Banner, Lurie and the rest of the brass that make up the much-vaunted “gold standard” down at the NovaCare Center will have a very difficult time selling that to a fan base that has just been kicked in the teeth for the umpteenth time.
Here’s their problem. McNabb is a good NFL quarterback. Maybe even a very good one. But he has shown again and again that he falls short when it comes to playing teams that are on the same level – or better – than the Birds. That’s never been more clear than after the last two outings against the hated Cowboys. McNabb again had that confused look, unsure of himself, and the game plan, tentative, holding onto the ball too long, and when he did deliver it, doing so far too erratically.
For a long time McNabb’s legs often bailed him out of such circumstances. That’s no longer the case. Now he has to rely on his quarterback skills. Those skills were enough to lead the Eagles to 11 wins this year. But almost all of them were against lesser teams. The Eagles were the only entrant to this year’s NFL playoffs that had not won a single game against another playoff-caliber foe.
Donovan came up woefully short this year against the Cowboys – three different times.
Reid can’t be serious when he says – with a straight face – that the plan is for Donovan to be back next year.
Of course, Reid would not comment when asked if he thought McNabb would get the extension he clearly wants. He will enter the season on the last year of his deal.
Maybe that will be the Eagles’ out.
Reid said yesterday that he had “three stinkin’ good quarterbacks” in McNabb, Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick.
It’s unlikely Vick will be back unless the Eagles plan to use him as their starter. He’s due to make $5 million and change next year. The Eagles won’t do that.
It comes down to McNabb or Kolb.
We know which won stunk the past two weeks.
This isn’t going to end pretty.
McNabb has been nothing but the epitome of class during his 11-year stay in Philly. He’s never had even a whiff of scandal around him. He has led the Eagles to easily their longest stretch of winning football.
But it’s time for a change. I don’t believe for a minute that Reid and the Eagles brass can’t see that.
Despite what they say. I still believe McNabb and the Eagles will part ways, and we’ll see the beginning of the Kevin Kolb era.
But if they don’t, if they decide to take one more shot with McNabb, I hope the “gold standard” has a way to spin straw into gold.
They’re going to need it.
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