|
McNabb dilemma figures to dominate Eagles' offseason talk
The 2007 season is now over for the Philadelphia Eagles, but there's a good chance that football will remain in the headlines of the city's newspapers and talk shows over the coming months.
Once again the main topic of offseason questions will be quarterback Donovan McNabb, albeit for different reasons than in years past. Unlike the previous two springs, the franchise signal-caller won't be rehabbing a serious season- ending injury. This time around, it's McNabb's wounded pride that's in need of repair.
The running soap opera between McNabb and the Philadelphia media and fans added a new chapter with the Eagles' selection of quarterback Kevin Kolb in the second round of this past April's draft. The addition of his eventual successor clearly didn't sit well with the hyper-sensitive veteran, and rumors of McNabb's potential exodus at the end of the season spread like wildfire after he reportedly questioned his future with the organization in a conversation with Fox Sports correspondent Pam Oliver a few weeks ago.
While McNabb's departure would please those who have made the five-time Pro Bowl honoree the scapegoat for Philadelphia's disappointing 8-8 record in 2007, dealing him probably wouldn't be the most prudent of moves for a team that has most of the pieces already in place for a playoff run in 2008. Having the untested Kolb run the offense next season would constitute the Eagles waving the white flag in an NFC East division that has sent three teams to the postseason in each of the last two years.
The way I see it, the only realistic scenario in which McNabb, who is under contract through 2010, goes to another team is if he forces the issue during the offseason. And if winning a championship is the main goal at this point of the 31-year-old's career, then it doesn't appear to be in McNabb's best interests to demand a trade. The Eagles' current roster is better positioned for a Super Bowl run than that of Baltimore, Atlanta and Minnesota, three teams believed to have strong interest in the triggerman's services.
McNabb would likely be intrigued by the possibility of playing in his home city of Chicago, and his addition would surely make that club one to be reckoned with in the NFC. But keep in mind that the Bears are a notoriously cheap organization that may not be keen to the idea of bringing in a player due to make over $25 million in base salary over the next three years, especially when McNabb's injury history is factored in.
So odds are the Kolb era won't be getting underway in 2008. McNabb may not be completely content with the present situation, but there's little doubt that he gives the Eagles the best chance for a rebound next season.
FLYING AT THE FINISH
If McNabb did play his final game as an Eagle this past weekend, he will be going out on a very positive note. The nine-year pro threw for 345 yards on 29-of-41 passing to help Philadelphia to a 17-9 victory over visiting Buffalo in the season finale for both teams Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.
The win was the third straight for the Eagles and was highlighted by another strong showing from the team's defense. The unit limited the Bills to 271 total yards and a 2-for-12 success rate on third downs, while keeping Buffalo out of the end zone all afternoon long.
Star running back Brian Westbrook set a pair of Eagles' season records in the triumph. The versatile Pro Bowler hauled in four McNabb throws for 57 yards and finished with 90 receptions on the year, two more than Irving Fryar's previous franchise mark established in 1996. Westbrook also ended the campaign with a league-leading 2,104 yards from scrimmage, besting Wilbert Montgomery's team record of 2,006 set in 1979.
DEJA VU
The Eagles' second touchdown in Sunday's win was scored by wide receiver Kevin Curtis, who recovered a fumble by teammate Reggie Brown late in the third quarter. Brown had caught a 32-yard strike from McNabb before having the ball jarred from him by Bills' safety Bryan Scott at the one-yard line, with Curtis alertly pouncing on the loose pigskin as it squirted in the end zone.
The play was eerily similar to one that occurred during the first quarter of Philadelphia's 38-23 victory at New Orleans the previous week. In that game McNabb lost the ball near the goal line after breaking off a long run, with Curtis again falling on the fumble in the end zone.
"I can't really remember recovering any fumbles in my life before these," said Curtis afterward. "I guess I was in the right places at the right times."
LOOKING AHEAD
Other than the McNabb situation, the Eagles don't have too many decisions to make regarding their roster in the offseason. The most notable free agent is tight end L.J. Smith, who recorded career-lows of 22 catches and 236 receiving yards during an injury-plagued 2007.
Despite that drop in production, Smith's age (he'll be 28 in May) and athleticism should draw considerable interest from teams in a free-agent class that lacks impact players at the tight end position. Look for Philadelphia to make an attempt to re-sign the five-year pro but allow him to walk if another club presents an inflated offer. The Eagles were impressed with the late- season production of rookie Brent Celek, who caught his first career touchdown pass in Sunday's win and would be the leading candidate to take over if Smith departs.
Philadelphia is in good shape on the defensive side, where every current starter is under contract and the team received strong contributions from a number of young players in 2007. The only key free agent on defense is reserve cornerback Will James, who fell out of favor as the season went on and probably won't be retained.
Also sure to be gone is well-paid defensive end Jevon Kearse, who lost his starting job to Juqua Thomas at mid-season and was used sparingly down the stretch. It would be surprising if the Eagles attempted to re-sign fullback Thomas Tapeh, who didn't display the blocking or catching ability the team likes out of the position.
One of Philadelphia's primary offseason goals will be attempting to improve the offense's production within the red zone, a major problem area for the Eagles in 2007 due to Smith's injuries and a down year from Brown at one of the wideout spots. Head coach Andy Reid would love to add an impact wide receiver through free agency or the draft, especially one that would allow Curtis to play a role in the slot similar to that of New England's Wes Welker. University of California junior DeSean Jackson appears to be a good fit if he decides to enter the draft, as the playmaking receiver would also greatly upgrade Philly's below-average return game.
Also expect the Eagles to use the draft to acquire the heir apparent to free safety Brian Dawkins, who turns 35 in October and was slowed by injuries this season. Philadelphia had planned on using last year's first-round choice to fill that void, but safeties Michael Griffin and Brandon Meriweather were off the board before the Eagles could choose, which forced Reid to make a controversial deal with division-rival Dallas and trade down to take Kolb in the early second round.
|
