DeSean Jackson is the latest Eagle to not really endorse McNabb

I wonder what the effect of trading Donovan McNabb might do for the reputation of the Eagles in the future. Not from a public relations standpoint, but there used to be a point in history when players didn’t want to play for organizations like the Eagles or Patriots, and I sometimes worry that some players may look at the McNabb situation, and the release of Westbrook, and say “well, I COULD go to Philadelphia, but I could just as easily get paid by this other team and not have to constantly look over my shoulder.”

Before you answer with “we don’t need players with that attitude here”, I’m not talking about this from that sort of context. And players have a lot of insecurities that we don’t need our FO to be preying on. I’m thinking of how T.J. Houshmandzedah chose Seattle over Minnesota because he didn’t trust Tarvaris Jackson and he wanted to go somewhere with a stable QB situation (irony!!!). This stuff does go through their heads, and you can only wine and dine them so much.

If the Eagles are going to deal McNabb, they need to go about it the right way. There are a lot of harmful ways that what they’re about to do could be interpreted by the league, by the commissioner, by the players, etc. They’ve got to tread lightly.

You know I have been a reader here Derek for a couple years. I sincerely appreciate your reporting and analysis. I find it to be cogent and helpful, especially if you are an X & O’s football fan. However I am for the first time driven to actually respond on a thread about the Eagles potential trade of McNabb and quite frankly, of my utter lack of confidence in Kolb. Yes, we may need to move on from McNabb – who I thought has been a fantastic QB and a class act in Philadelphia from day one. I have been a season ticketholder for over 40 years. I have been to every game played in the Vet – believe it or not my father (whose fault it is I am an insane Eagles fan started bringing me to games when I was four at I believe, Franklin Field. I have been living and dying with the birds like most of you for my entire childhood and adult life. I have come to the opinion (a humble one) that McNabb is the best QB I have ever seen play the position in Philadelphia in my lifetime. I know we were outclassed last year particularly at the end of the season – but that clearly was not McNabb. The fact that we had an 11 win season is in my poor opinion a credit to the Coaching of Andy Reid, who basically had an offensive line stuck together with popsicle sticks and tape and a defense stuck together of broken parts with bubble gum. (As an aside I thought one of the major reasons we were steamrollered by Dallas was the loss of Jamal Jackson at C – who is primarily responsible for pass protection calls/ recognition in the Eagles offense. Nick Cole was simply not up to the task in that game. ) Back to topic -

My deep concern is that Kolb is a system QB. This type of QB can certainly win in the NFL. Everyone seems to raise Montana as an example of this ( I am referring to the 4th and 26 Column of a couple days ago). However Montana was playing with two teams SF and KC that at the time had shut down defenses, powerful running games and at least above average receiving talent.

I saw nothing in the Baltimore, NO or KC games to prove Kolb can throw the long ball (a ball thrown longer than 25 yards in this offense – you can define this as still an intermediate range pass – but the only pass that I saw Kolb make of this distance was right into the hands of Ed Reed in the Baltimore game). If he can’t prove that he can make the vertical game work (and let’s face it, the Eagles when successful are a vertical offense) then every team will put 8-9 men in the box and blitz him in the run gaps all day long. It will kill the run game and shut down the short passing game. In short, Kolb better be able to throw the long ball or we are going to have problems.

Further McNabb due to his mobility, makes up for and made up for a weak offensive line in his earlier career. Kolb won’t be able to do that he just doesn’t have the leg strength or speed. (and let’s face it leg and hip strength are the physical drivers of the long ball throw)

I just didn’t and don’t see what the Eagles saw. I saw NOs mediocre defense slow down and stop our offense. What happens when we are compelled to play someone with real talent on defense? No safety blanket of a good running game here. Only pass after pass, exposing this 25 year old kid to NFC East pass rushes, the worst of which is better than most other defenses in the league.

I have the deepest respect for Coach Reid. Despite his faults he and Joe Banner have created a winning tradition in Philadelphia. I can appreciate that. The Eagles also seem to know when to cut bait on veteran players as well. I just fear that with Kolb we are about to fall into mediocrity until a better QB can be bought, begged or stolen.

Forgive my vehemence. Cheers.

It was a less than 15 yard crossing pattern that Jackson took to the house. That was a Jackson play not a Kolb play.

I would agree with you wholeheartedly if the Eagles had shown themselves capable of a credible running game (which for some reason with Weaver running the ball they chose to do in some games – but totally abandoned this in others) or even the propensity to run the ball. We have seen a couple games demonstrating the former – but really we see mostly the latter. I just don’t see a short pass offense being a game winning offense for the Eagles. I fervently want to be wrong – but I just don’t see it. Jackson has given us a vertical threat that pulls back the FS and SS (although the distinctions between these positions have become more and more blurred in the past five years) in a cover two or pulls back the drop S in a cover one or cover one sub (S in intermediate pass / run support).

Baltimore did just this against us. So did NO when they knew at the end of the game that Kolb would have to throw the ball down the field more. They just sat on the patterns and brought pressure. It worked in both cases. KC just doesn’t have a defense – just potted plants in football uniforms.

Look, it isn’t brain surgery. With a young QB you bring the pressure and stop the run and make him beat you with his arm. This is what we will see if Kolb starts this year.

If I were Kolb I would be shouting, “Prepare for Glory!”

“I’d be willing to bet that those guys might not have been so noncommittal in their support of McNabb if they were still on the team and asked these questions.”

Thanks for the replay. I clearly remembered it wrong – which is surprising because the play happened right in front of me.

One thing about me – if I am wrong about something I am happy to admit it.

I still think my points about Kolb are pretty accurate. I am still looking for a vertical game from him. I think it really needs to be there to take advantage of Jacksons speed and frankly, to avoid him taking shots.