dhockster
Footballguy
'Skins fan here. I've watched McNabb for many years, not just as a NFC East follower, but also because he's been on a dynasty roster of mine for forever.
The bi-polar nature of the Eagles fans when discussing McNabb isn't that hard to figure out, as amusing as it is on the surface. McNabb is, overall, better than all but probably about 5 to 7 QB's in the league. He's more athletic than a few of those ranked ahead of him, and when he's at his best he ranks in the top 3 most likely and is a very dynamic playmaker. When he's at his worst, however, with inaccurate throws and untimely picks, he ranks far lower and is frustrating. Also, his leadership skills have been routinely questioned by those who are willing to speak publicly on the matter.
The problem for McNabb and Philly fans is that McNabb falls just outside the "elite" or even "very good" category of QB's. Part of that is his very inconsistency, and unfortunately for him that inconsistency seems to manifest itself most when the games are most important - in the playoffs, and especially the later rounds of the playoffs, and especially late in those games when his team most needs him to make plays. After 10+ years there's a remarkably consistent and unmistakable pattern there.
In essence, McNabb is the Marty Schottenheimer of QB's. A proven winner, better than most, one of the all-time winners in terms of stats, but lacking . . . something.
As usual, the Shark Pool's fantasy orientation has people tending to focus primarily (not exclusively) upon stats, or at least using them as their starting point. McNabb's stats don't reveal the problems here. He's a better version of Aaron Brooks in that regard.
So, the dilemma is this: as an Eagles fan, do you try to replace a top 5-7 QB, which is very difficult to do as some teams can go decades before they successfully accomplish this? Or do you stay satisfied with your flawed, non-elite yet still well-above average QB who consistently abuses the three most important teams that that team plays and who therefore consistently gets his team into the playoffs with a chance at a championship? I guess it depends upon what you want.
The best recent example of a team addressing this dilemma is the Packers with the Favre-Rodgers saga. IMHO, Rodgers and Kolb may be good comparisons as QB prospects. McNabb is no Favre, however McNabb is also five years younger than Favre was when the Packers finally made the switch. What's interesting about McNabb and Favre is that both have a tendency to quarterback badly in big games, though in very different ways.
I will tell you this: while I like Kolb and think he's promising, as a 'Skins fan I'd like for McNabb to depart Philly because I know that whoever they replace McNabb with can't abuse my team any more than McNabb has.
Good Perspective from a Skins fan. I, and I think the majority (not everyone) of Eagles fans feel this way:-We appreciate McNabb for the success he has helped bring to the team in the last decade.
-We are frustrated that the Eagles have gotten close to winning a championship, but haven't won one. That is
not all McNabb's fault, but rightly or wrongly, he, as QB, gets the most blame.
-Rather than continue with the definition of insanity (trying the same thing over and over again and expecting a
different result), we would like to try something different. We have faith that the Eagles have groomed a good
replacement for McNabb in Kevin Kolb.
-If we can get some compensation for McNabb that will help us improve our defense, then that is a bonus.
They do? I mean, they MIGHT. But as of right now Reid said all three QBs are being talked about, and Kolb is on the last year of his rookie contract. So yeah, if the Eagles let McNabb walk and make Kolb the starter, what you just said could be true. But it's just as likely (and what I'm rooting for) that the Eagles will pawn Kolb off b/c I'm sure more teams would be willing to pay for a young guy who isn't expecting a monster contract extension to OK the move.
They do? I mean, they MIGHT. But as of right now Reid said all three QBs are being talked about, and Kolb is on the last year of his rookie contract. So yeah, if the Eagles let McNabb walk and make Kolb the starter, what you just said could be true. But it's just as likely (and what I'm rooting for) that the Eagles will pawn Kolb off b/c I'm sure more teams would be willing to pay for a young guy who isn't expecting a monster contract extension to OK the move.

or
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Make sure you tell your boy that he's got a lot of Philly looking forward to this year if he gets his shot.
Make sure you tell your boy that he's got a lot of Philly looking forward to this year if he gets his shot.
Philly fans flip from day to day, it's that "what have you done for me lately, oh yeah, but so what" mentality. The saga rolls on ...
LOL @ the 'non-story'. Too bad Mayock thinks this story is below him. Wait til after the draft when he's irrelevant again and I'm sure he'll talk non-stop about McNabb for air-time.