Talk about a guy that needs some love. Donovan McNabb has been the headline of the sports world the last two days as word leaked out that the Philadelphia Eagles were accepting offers for the Pro Bowl quarterback, as well as his sidekicks Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick. And thankless Eagles fans are eager to cheer for his departure.
McNabb's Days Are Numbered in Philly
Philadelphia is a disappointing sports town that just doesn’t seem to understand how to field a winner. The Eagles are the saddest of the group, having not produced a champion since 1960. While the team puts up wins, they haven’t delivered in the clutch. And to put this all on one guy’s shoulders in McNabb is classic Philly style.
After being profusely booed on NFL Draft Day in 1999, you knew that McNabb’s days in Philly were going to be rocky. But he rose to the challenge and delivered more wins in franchise history than any other quarterback before him. As it reads today, he is ranked 20th in wins and 7th in winning percentage for his career among all NFL quarterback.
Not too shabby for a bum that is perceived as the root to the team’s problems. Those wins and stats assure him a place in Canton upon his retirement.
Placing blame in Philly is a national pastime and it is amazing how Andy Reid consistently never gets the light shone on him except for when one of his kids run afoul with the law and gets sent to jail. It’s been Reid’s football philosophy, not McNabb’s performance that have led to the big game let downs. Andy Reid doesn’t believe in the running game and this is the true reason for the losses. The Eagles are easy to game plan for because they throw the ball every down and never leave the defense guessing.
Now the countdown is on.
The Eagles want a draft pick within the Top 42 spots of the draft in return for this future Hall of Famer quarterback that is no longer deserving of leading the team he brought to prominence. McNabb has made it known that he doesn’t want to play for the Raiders or Bills, but his desires will take a backseat because he is not going to a winner unless Brett Favre retires, which is unlikely.
For McNabb, he should want to take on the challenge of resurrecting a struggling squad, just as he did in Philly. It shouldn’t be about going to a team that gives him a chance at a Super Bowl. That ship sails as soon as he leaves the Eagles, as the Eagles are his bench chance at Super Bowl glory if they show a willingness to place talent around him. His goal should be to remind the Philly fans of what they once had as Kevin Kolb leads them into the abyss while he turns around an NFL doormat all by himself.
Terrell Owens becoming a Cincinnati Bengal, how does that fit and sound? The controversial receiver would pair up with another controversial receiver in Chad Ochocinco. Could these receivers team up together to make the Bengal passing attack that much better?
Would Terrell Owens fit in as a Bengal?
It seems that on the surface that Ochocinco and head coach Marvin Lewis are on board for the acquisition of Owens. This is like I said on the surface as we know that Owens wore out his welcome as both a Cowboy and Eagle. These two dynamic receivers would have to show the maturity to get along with each other and not disrupt team chemistry which T. O. has done in recent history.
Owens is coming off a lackluster season in Buffalo but you cannot blame it all on Owens. The Bills had a non existed running game all season long and that meant more defenses concentrating on the pass. Owens still caught 55 passes for 829 yards and five touchdowns. That is fair production from Owens playing on a team with no running game and a mediocre quarterback at best.
If he became a Bengal, he would be on a lot better offensive team for sure. He would not only team up with Ochocinco but woul have Carson Palmer to get the ball to him. The double threat at the receiving core in addition to the rushing game of Cedric Benson-1251 yards rushing -would make Owens a much more effective threat as a receiver. I think that Owens could have a bit of rebirth. Being a Bengal would not only bring out the best in him, but it would do the same for Ochocinco. They would feed off each other ,and I think that is what they both need. Chad knows that and I think T.O. knows that too.
To answer this question, I think T.O. would fit in great as a Bengal. It would make him a more motivated and happier receiver. I think he will leave his ego at the door and use his experiences, maturity and age to put team first.
With a looming lockout and potential uncapped season lying in front of the NFL and its players, the 2010 NFL free agency signing period will be one of the most unique in years. Teams will be unsure of who to go after and what type of contract they should offer. Players will be concerned with what looms in their future if a resolution between the players and league cannot be reached.
Owens Back On The Market
But one for thing is for sure, Jerry Jones is loving the jambalaya stew he’s cooked up with his greedy thirst to purchase his next Lombardi Trophy.
Here are some of the interesting highlights during this signing period:
Jason Campbell, QB Washington Redskins
The Redskins have a new coach and another new offensive system. Mike Shanahan knows how to develop a quarterback, so Jason Campbell could finally be in good hands. As a restricted free agent, it is likely that the Skins will tender him because there are no better options in the open market. Campbell has improved significantly over the last two years, although it has been overshadowed by poor coaching and personnel decisions. Expect the Skins to re-sign Campbell to a short-term agreement and draft Sam Bradford in the upcoming draft.
Chester Taylor, RB Minnesota Vikings
Here’s a guy your heart bleeds for. He was the Vikings’ big free agent signing in 2006, ran for a solid 1,216 yards and proved his worth. They go and draft Adrian Peterson and the rest is history. Taylor is probably the best running back in the NFL not starting or splitting duties at the RB position. At age 30, he likely has little left in the tank, but you really want to pull for this guy to get a nice contract which he deservedly earned. Hopefully he’ll get a chance for a few more carries in his next stop.
Terrell Owens, WR Buffalo Bills
Surprise, Surprise. T.O. is a free agent again. After one very underperforming season, the Buffalo Bills said adieu to everyone’s favorite malcontent. But don’t cry for T.O., there is a sucker born every minute and it appears that its John Harbaugh’s time to assume the position of village idiot. Expect T.O. to land in Baltimore very quickly.
Bobbie Williams, OL Cincinnati Bengals
This is the last guy Carson Palmer wants to see leave, but he might as well pack the bags for the guy who protects his hide. The Bengals proved this past season that if Palmer is healthy they are a team to be reckoned with. But given Williams’ perceived value in the open market, it is unlikely that Cincy will be able to afford to bring him back.
Julius Peppers, DL Carolina Panthers
It is very unlikely that the Panthers will franchise Peppers for another season and pay him an exhorbitant one-year salary. And the rest of the league knows it. Already, Peppers is the top name in the free agency rumors mills. It is already swirling that the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles are interested. As good as Peppers has been, he is moving to the wrong side of thirty and it is unlikely that he can live up to the contract he will likely sign. His raw talent will make teams look past his inconsistency on the field and he’ll get one last big contract because a DL that can sack a QB is priceless.
Karlos Dansby, LB Arizona Cardinals
I realize Dansby has definitely started to slide back, but he is still under 30 and is the most high-profile LB at the position. And it doesn’t hurt that almost every other LB that is a free agent is restricted. Dansby’s unrestricted status will make him extremely appealing to teams not interested in having to give up a draft pick for simply signing him. It is unlikely Dansby will be back in Arizona as they re-tool their defense. Expect to see Dansby come East and land either with the New York Giants or Philadelphia Eagles.
Dunta Robinson, DB Houston Texans
Here’s one sure bet, Dunta Robinson wishes he could go back and reconsider his decision to sidestep training camp in a contract dispute like he did last season. Playing in a contract year, Robinson put up the worst stats of his career and became a liability on defense for the Texans. There no chance at all the Texans will franchise him, so he is jumping out of a plane without a parachute. Expect Robinson to languish on the free agency wire and be begging for a job.
Darren Sharper, DB New Orleans Saints
After being dumped by the Minnesota Vikings due to a poor 2008 season, the Saints took a chance on an aging safety with hopes that he had one more season left in him. What a signing! Not only did he have a season left in him, he single-handedly led the Saints defense to a Super Bowl championship, setting a record for interception yards in a season along the way. Unfortunately, the Saints have a lot a players to re-sign and Sharper will likely be the odd man out. Expect to see Sharper playing elsewhere in 2010.
Shayne Graham, K Cincinnati Bengals
Typically one of the most trustworthy kickers in the league, Graham hit rock bottom in his contract year. Early in the season, they cut his long-time long snapper Brad St. Louis after Graham went into a funk. Things improved and then came the playoffs. With his team in comeback mode, Graham missed a 28-yard field goal that took the wind out of the sails of his team and sent the fans heading to the gates. Kickers rarely survive after missing such a critical easy chip shot, so don’t expect Graham to be back in Cincy next year.
The Minnesota Vikings suffered a devastating loss yesterday at the hands of the New Orleans Saints 31-28 in overtime in the NFC Championship. It would be easy to blame some very shaky officiating in overtime, but a closer look tells the story of a team that has nobody to blame but themselves…
The Vikings outplayed the Saints everywhere but on the scoreboard. They moved the ball up and down on the field outgaining the Saints 475-257. The Vikes defense played more than well enough to get this team to the Superbowl. It was the miscues by the offense lead by Brett Favre that sealed their fate.
The Saints had more that a couple of “Home Town” calls in overtime. In particular was running back Pierre Thomas fourth and inches dive that appeared to be a certain first down. The officials went to replay. The replay showed that Thomas did not have control of the ball where the ball was spotted. It should have been spotted behind the first down marker giving the ball to the Vikings. Another big blown call was a catch by wideout Robert Meachem jut before the game winning field goal. Meachem’s catch was ruled a completion on the filed. The officials again reviewed the play that showed Meachem had trapped the ball. The Saints benefited again and Garret Hartley kicked a 40 yarder than sent them to the Super Bowl.The Vikings have reason to feel they were ripped off. If you going to rely on the instant replay, get the calls right. Everybody saw what I saw and it cost a team the right to play in the SuperBowl . WOW!
But as I said, this is only part of the story. If the Vikings protected the ball, it would of never have gotten to the point of overtime. Minnesota had five turnovers in all. Three fumbles and two interceptions. Percy Harvin fumbled deep in his own territory that lead to a Saints touchdown. Bernard Barrian also fumbled when the Vikes were on the move. But the biggest culprit was quarterback Brett Favre. Favre lost a fumble and had two picked off. The first two were drive killers and the last one sealed preventing them for ending the game at the end of regulation.
On third down and in field goal range, Favre made a decision that was reminiscent of a couple of years ago.Favre had room to run and a receiver right in front of him on the sideline that would of picked up very valuable yardage towards a game winning kick. But instead of seeing right in front of him, the gunslinger threw cross field that ended in a devastating interception. Green Bay fans will remember him doing that against the Giants a couple of years. Favre also had more viable options then but choked then as he did now. He will receive no sympathy form them. Favre ended up 28-46 for 310 yards, a touch and two picks. But it was his last pass, like Green Bay, that will be remembered by Viking fans. The Hall of Famer will have a long off season to think about a very poor decision.
The Vikings have lost five straight NFC Championship games. I have a little sympathy for them. I am a Eagles fan. They have lost four out of five. My advice for the fans of Minnesota is; Some things are not meant to be!
I have to weigh in on Jerry Jones decision to give head coach Wade Phillips a two year contract extension.Jones bypassed the option and signed him thru the 2011 season. The deal became official yesterday and should leave Dallas fans scratching their head if Phillips has what it takes as a head coach to get the Cowboys to the promise land. The question is whether Phillips makes it thru this contract. He better hope Dallas makes the Super Bowl in order to fill out this contract. . This will put a lot more added pressure on him to produce in a already pressure situation. How will he handle it?
Jerry Jones gave Wade Phillips a 2 year deal.
Phillips has lead the Cowboys to win two out of three NFC East division titles.He has a 34-17 career record. That is pretty good regular season success ,but Dallas failed miserably in the playoffs last week in Minnesota. With high expectations after their first round playoff win over the Eagles, Dallas looked listless in their 34-3 defeat to the Vikings. I will not blame Wade totally but his call on a fourth and one to go for a field goal early in the game did not show the confidence in the offense to win a playoff football game on the road. Dallas missed the field goal from a kicker they only had for a few weeks, and the Vikings never looked back. A head coach with a handle on his offense goes for it everytime.
This leads me to the thinking that Phillips would be better suited to concentrate on being the Defensive Coordinator. I think he is better in a support role instead of being the head coach. Dallas did give up the fewest points in the NFC and Philips was a intrical factor in achieving that.You can’t take that away from him but offensively I think someone else should call the plays. I think if Jones looked elsewhere for a head coach and kept Wade on as DEF coordinator they would be better off. Phillips is 62 and he has only won one playoff game in is career as head coach. I do not see Dallas winning a Super Bowl title as long as he is head coach. That is just the way I see it.
By all indications it looks like Wade Phillips will be the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys next season. Owner Jerry Jones has hinted to the players that same sentiment. I have to wonder how this decision will sit with Dallas fans..
Phillips has a career record of 34-17 and has won the NFC East division in two of the last three seasons. That is pretty decent success but not to the expectations of both Jones and the Dallas fans.
Wade Phiilips will be back next season.
Dallas fans expect to win the Super Bowl every year. Those are unreal expectations, but it has been a while since a they have won a Bowl. Phillips is not totally to blame ,but he definitely is a factor in the way Dallas has ended their season the last two years.
Dallas season ended Sunday with a embarrassing playoff lost to the Vikings 34-3. Dallas seemed unresponsive to early mistakes and got steam rolled as the game went on. Quarterback Tony Romo’s play did not help as he lost two critical fumbles early in the contest.
Phillips decision to go for a field goal instead of going for it on fourth down and one showed no confidence in the offensive and Romo.Dallas missed the field goal, Minnesota grabbed the momentum and the ball. Minnesota went down the field and scored a touchdown to make it 14-0.
For all intensive purposes, the game was over.
I am not saying that is the total reason they lost, but it was a factor. Romo seemed irritated and it did not help his play the rest of the day.You have to have the confidence to go for it. Phiilips made the wrong decision, any Dallas fan will tell you that.
Last year the Eagles ended Dallas chances of a playoff birth with a even more embarrassing 44-6 loss to the Eagles. Two loses like this to end your season does not reelect well on your head coach.
My conclusion on this possible decsision is that it would be a mistake. I just do no think that Dallas players both respond well or have confidence in Wade Phillips. I have to think the majority of Dallas fans would have to conquer. I would like to know how the often opinionated Dallas fans think.
The playoff matchup between the Cowboys and the Vikings will come down to what quarterback plays better and wants it more. Will it be the young and upcoming Tony Romo or the grizzled veteran Brett Favre who grabs the spoils of victory? That intriguing question will be answered on a Sunday afternoon in Minnesota.
Tony Romo is playing with confidence and a swagger.
Dallas could not be on a better high than they are now. They have won four in a row including last weeks domination of the Philadelphia Eagles 34-14. Romo has played brilliantly during the streak and seems hungry and composed to take the Boys to the promise land.
He has used the plethora of offensive weapons to move the chains that has ended up in touchdowns. Dallas fans have been waiting for Romo to come up big, and he may just deliver this time.
Dallas uses a three attack backfield that is both talented and versatile. Marion Barber can get the tough yards while Felix Jones and Tashard Choice have speed to burn. Dallas also has a trio of receivers that include deep threat Miles Austin. Austin has come into his own this year and is flanked by fellow speedster Patrick Crayton. Tight End Jason Witten is a possession receiver that can also move the chains.
As you can see, Dallas has a number of options on offense.
To add to this recent offensive success, Dallas defense is also on a roll only giving up 31 points during this streak. Dallas is a confident team that is on a roll.
Minnesota has had a good season also that gave them a first round bye ,and the second seed in the NFC. Brett Favre was brillant most of the season and is motivated by the chance that this might be his last real shot at a Super Bowl title. He still has what it takes to get the job done and will have the Vikings ready.
Minnesota has a great running back in Adrian Peterson. Peterson will have to have a big rushing day in order for the Vikings to get the victory. This will make the passing game more effective and set it up for their emerging playmaker Sydney Rice to come up with the big pass play. The Vikings will need to move the chains and keep Romo and the Boys offense off the field.
When I analyze this game, I see the young gun out slinging the veteran. Romo has that certain confidence and swagger right now. He is also motivated by his recent disappointments in recent years. Dallas is playing well on all cylinders and just will be too much for the Vikings to handle. Favre will play his heart out, but it will not be enough. This could be his last playoff game ever, I think it will be.Dallas moves on to the NFC Championship.
The Dallas Cowboys are on a roll and seem to be gaining confidence each and every week. The Boys are winners of four in a row including last weeks domination of their fierce division rival the Eagles. This streak started with a signature victory over previously unbeaten New Orleans. This is the kind of victory that makes teams look back and say that this was the win the catapulted them to a Super Bowl win.
Tony Romo has the Cowboys on a roll.
The Cowboys are lead by their quarterback Tony Romo. Romo has been playing great during this streak with a 100% passer rating. Romo got the monkey off his back last week and has tasted what a playoff wins feels like. Romo and Dallas fans expect to go all the way and anything other than that would be a disappointment.Romo has a bunch of viable options at his disposal. It is these weapons in combination that make his job easier and defensive jobs a lot harder.
Dallas has three running backs that are capable of beating you on any play. Marion Barber has been hampered in recent weeks. Dallas just plugged in Felix Jones and Tashard Choice and did not miss a beat. They also have three receivers in the stable. Their main threat is Miles Austin, but when he is double covered Patrick Crayton or Tight End Jason Witten can come up big with a reception. During this four game win steak, Dallas has scored 12 touchdowns, five by receivers and three by runningbacks. This is the type of offensive sharing that is the definition of team work. Oh ya, don’t just rest your hat on the offense, the defense has been coming up big as well. Dallas has outscored their opponents 99-31 during this streak. Dallas is a complete football team right know.
Dallas will face Brett Favre and the Vikings on Sunday. This could be Favre’s las shot at a Super Bowl ,and he will play motivated football. But I think the hungrier quarterback, Romo, will play with more incentive and drive to get the victory in this NFC Divisional Playoff and move on. From there, Dallas would meet the winner of the Cardinals and Saints. The Boys match up well with both of these teams and have already knocked off the Saints. I think Dallas is just a more complete team of the four left in the NFC. If Dallas is fortunate to get the Bowl, they will be a tough team to beat. It has been a while since they won one, and if they get there watch out.
As a Eagle fan this hurts me to say, but I have to be objective. Dallas rates a pretty good shot to win the Super Bowl.
I see that the Eagles coach Andy Reid has given his endorsement for Donovan McNabb to be his starting quarterback next year. As a pro football fan and Eagles fan, I disagree with this decision and think the Eagles should look into another direction for their starting quarterback next season…
Donovan McNabb should not be the Eagles starter next season.
McNabb will be entering his 12th season next year. He is coming off a good regular season but faltered when the Eagles needed him most in his their las two games, two defeats at the hands of divisional rival, Dallas. McNabb was mediocre at best in these two games. In the last regular seson game ,and the NFC East Division on the line, McNabb missed receivers early that changed the complexion of the game. The Eagles were both shutout on the scoreboard and out of that elusive first round bye in the playtoffs. He then followed up that perfotmance with a awful game the next week . He went 19-37 for 230 yards with one touchdown and one interception. These stats are inflated as they came well after Dallas had the game in hand.The Eagles would have faired better with another quarterback.
McNabb has had a habit at not playing at his best when it counts most.He is only 1-4 in NFC Championships games. He lost his only Superbowl performance against the Patriots when he was picked off three times. If he played to his potential, he would have a Superbowl ring on his finger. Eagle fans are sick and tired of seeing him play stiff in the games that count most It is time for a change.
Enter Kevin Kolb. The Eagles took a chance on drafting him in the first round. It is time for him to fly for the Eagles. Kolb started two games this year and passed for over 300 yards in each game. He is the only quarterback ever to accomplish that feat in NFL history. He has the tools and confidence to be the starter, Reid also agrees.He will be in the final season of his contract. If Kolb does not start next year, he will probably fly the Eagle coupe. There are other teams that will call on for his services.I vote for Kevin to be the starter next season.
It didn’t take long for the media to begin stirring up trouble for Donovan McNabb after another beating at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys, a 34-14 loss to knock the Eagles out of the playoffs. Stories are streaming that it’s time for the Eagles to cut ties. That McNabb can’t win the big game. That Andy Reid needs to start anew and find someone else better that can run his offensive system.
Reid Deserves All The Blame In Loss
Why does the media dislike Donovan McNabb so much? Do they feel a responsibility to be extra harsh to him to prove Rush Limbaugh incorrect? Was he especially rude or offensive to someone? McNabb cannot even catch a break when the issues with the Eagles are obviously not him.
These Eagles really had no place being in the playoffs. They were the worst team that made it in…that’s the reason why they were the last seed. To clarify this point further, this team is the only team without a win against a playoff team and scored only one win against a winning team, and that comes with an asterisk because Atlanta played without QB Matt Ryan and RB Michael Turner.
Simply put, this team only made it to the playoffs because of Donovan McNabb.
Andy Reid is a nice guy, but he is a failure as a coach and talent evaluator. The only shining spot on this team in 2009 was the quarterback and the passing game. Let’s think about how the season turned out:
The running game was non-existent and the heir apparent to Brian Westbrook, LeSean McCoy, is a bust
The offensive line cannot run block at all and rarely gave time to McNabb to pass
The defensive line rated 12th in sacks, but only got pressure in blitz packages and most of the sacks came from Trent Cole
The linebacking corp is undoubtedly the worst in the NFL. They can’t tackle, they can’t blitz, they can’t pass cover.
The defensive backfield plays opportunistically and delivered very little. They registered just 25 interceptions despite the first game turnover gift wrapping of 5 INTs from Carolina. You take out that one game, they rated middle of the pack in the NFL.
Every area of this team underperformed, especially on defense. The one bright light was the quarterback and receiving corps. McNabb is not responsible for the failures in other areas, that falls on Andy Reid.
Reid has control over all personnel decisions. The GM in Philly is nothing more than a person with a title pushing paper. Reid decided to bring in the offensive line failures. Reid decided to reach on LeSean McCoy. Reid chose not to replace Brian Dawkins. Reid chose not to make a move to fill the loss of MLB Stewart Bradley.
The failures on this team all roll back to Reid.
But the biggest glaring problem is Reid’s offensive strategy. Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhigwheg’s pass happy craziness makes the Eagles too predictable. The opposing defense is never left guessing, its always going to be a pass. So instead of the offense keeping the defense guessing, for the Eagles, it is the other way around.
Eventually, this will catch up to you in a long NFL season. Jim Johnson is no longer around to save Reid’s neck and McNabb performs admirably despite the defense knowing he is coming with a pass and his offensive line never giving him protection.
Lets put away the Hang McNabb catcalls and focus the energy where it belongs. Andy Reid runs this team top to bottom and his inability to realize his offensive strategy will never make it through a 21 week NFL season will keep the Eagles without a Lombardi Trophy on its mantle.
Yesterday’s defeat is just another notch on the belt of failure that is snuggly fit around Andy Reid’s waistline.
