Monday, January 25, 2010

The Donovan McNabb Dilema

As an Eagles fan, I've heard all the scuttlebutt from the talking heads. Here's my opinion:
-McNabb has been the best quarterback in Eagles history- the numbers speak for themselves- it's indisputable.
-McNabb has hit his ceiling- his peaking being 2004- where he was still a threat as a runner and a passer.
-He is at the tail-end of his prime, but still a starting-caliber quarterback in the NFL.
-His strengths are throwing the deep ball, limiting turnovers, keeping plays alive, and he's streaky.
-His weaknesses are throwing short into tight spots, throwing to only wide open receivers(generally, a receiver a step or two away from the defender), and he's streaky.
-The list of starters in the league I'd rather have right now: Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Philip Rivers, Matt Schaub, Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, Kurt Warner, and Brett Favre (especially if the last two don't retire) Also, I could be talked into inserting Tony Romo ahead of Donovan, but that's another conversation.
-10, possibly 11 quarterbacks I would rather have- meaning he's no longer a top-ten player, at the position, but still a solid player. He's number 12, at the worst- still a playoff quarterback.
- Analyzing his strengths and weaknesses and comparing him to the other quarterbacks, the Eagles need to do one of two things: build the offense around his strengths or trade him and annoint Kevin Kolb the starter.
- Since building around his strengths would call for a complete change in philosphy- an emphasis on the run and play-action passing- and throwing bombs to stud receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin- plus, Andy Reid inking a three-year extention, means they should trade him and annoint Kolb the starter.
-What kind of compensation should the Birds seek? I'd say at least three draft picks, including a first rounder, maybe a player (preferably a defensive player that can cover on the backend or pressure the passer)
- What teams have a quarterback need? St. Louis, Oakland, Buffalo, Cleveland, Washington, Seattle, possibly Denver, San Francisco, and Carolina.
- Most likely destination? Cleveland- the Tom Heckert-Mike Holmgren connection, and they'll want to get West-Coast players into their system. Who's a better quarterback on the market?
- Sneaky destination?- San Francisco- they have two number one picks, and could use one to get Donovan, and the other to patch up the line. They threw the ball a lot in the second half of the season, and McNabb is a major upgrade of Alex Smith.

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