Not so much a rumor as thinking out loud by the sports writer but from your link he comments on the cost of acquiring McNabb.
...The Eagles won't rule out the possibility of such a trade. However, they have applied a heavy price tag for Donovan's services. Reportedly, the Eagles are requesting at least two first round picks from any McNabb takers. That's a heavy price to pay for a quarterback who is 31 and seems to have lost one of the most dangerous parts of his game, which was the ability to make the big running play...
31 isn't too old for a solid starting QB even if he has lost has lost some mobility but consider the last three years Donovan hasn't thrown for 20 TDs and then note he hasn't started all sixteen games over the last four years and then layer in the loss of mobility and his advancing years. I think he's still worth two first round draft picks and the Ravens may be able to make one more last gasp effort but it seems they need a guy who is younger and who they could have in place for the duration rather than a fading star.Scott Wright suggests a different ploy for the Ravens long standing QB problem.
http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/blog/wrightstuff.html
February 14th, 2008
• Baltimore needs to trade for Derek Anderson.
With an aging defense the Ravens are clearly a team built to win now and their window is closing fast. Despite that 5-11 record in 2007 Baltimore really isn't that bad of a team and with even average play from the quarterback position they would be legitimate playoff contenders. It is pretty clear that there is no chance of Boston College's Matt Ryan falling into their laps at #8 overall so why reach for a guy like Brian Brohm when for about the same money contract-wise you can get a semi-proven commodity? Now Donovan McNabb would do the trick too but I think Anderson would be a better fit for Baltimore because he is much younger. The ironic thing here is that Anderson was once property of the Ravens (they selected him in the 6th round of the 2005 NFL Draft) but they released him. From a public relations standpoint it won't look good to trade a package of valuable draft picks for a guy you just gave away for nothing a couple of years ago but they can't let that enter their thought process. They need to just bite the bullet and do it. I am not sold on Anderson repeating the fantastic season he just had which is why I think it's in Cleveland's best interests to strike while the iron is hot and deal him now but at the same time you do not get many chances to land a 24-year-old starting quarterback coming off a Pro Bowl season so if I am the Ravens I'll take that risk. I wouldn't give up that Top 10 pick for him but a package similar to what the Texans gave Atlanta for Matt Schaub last year (two 2nd round picks and change) sounds realistic and fair for both sides. It's time to get it done Ravens!
Wright is out of his mind as is anyone else who thinks that they can get DA for chump change or LESS than a top ten pick. Matt Ryan will likely earn more than DA and may NEVER put up the stats DA had last year. Donovan McNabb has only been able to put up better TD stats ONE TIME in his nine year career that barely eeked out what Derek Anderson produced last year in his very first year as a starte and DA put up 29 TDs in only fifteen starts. Oh and for the DA detractors who only can point out that DA had a low completion percentage. Um, ya ever look at McNabb's completion percentages over his nine years in the NFL?1999 PHI 49.1%
2000 PHI 58.0%
2001 PHI 57.8%
2002 PHI 58%
2003 PHI 57.5%
2004 PHI 64%
2005 PHI 59%
2006 PHI 57%
2007 PHI 61.5%
Only twice did he ever surpass the 60% completion mark, 64% in 04 and 61.5% last year.
Only ONCE did he ever surpass DA's 29 TDs, 31 in 2004. 25 in 01 and 21 in 2000 but he has NEVER thrown for more than 20 TDs in ANY OTHER SEASON in his nine year career.
Only ONCE did he ever supass DA's passing yard total of 3787 yards last year in only fifteen starts when he threw for 3,875 in 04 which seems to be his high water mark.
He has only started sixteen games three times. DA took over for Charlie Frye in the second game and started all fifteen games he was scheduled to start.
Oh and Donovan McNabb never had a high profile and highly drafted rookie to contend with unless you put Kolb on the same level as Brady Quinn which he is not.
DA is a 6'6 230 lbs strong armed 24 year old who made the Pro Bowl in his first year starting whose measureables equal and/or surpass most of the starting NFL QBs right now let alone any unproven/untested/unsigned rookie. Also the tail of the tape and strict number comparison shows he more than stacks up with Donovan McNabb. His age and his lower cost in terms of dollars and draft picks for a team in dire cap straights that could use a QB and their first round pick next year to help rebuild their aging defense shows that Donovan McNabb might be the more flashy idea to float but it doesn't make sense.
Having said all of that, no chance the Browns would trade DA to an inter-divisional rival and then have to face him at least twice a year, shudda shudda. I think people simply have no clue on the value of DA and the Browns won't part with him especially for ridiculous low-ball offers. Let em eat Tavarious Jackson cake, have another slice of John Beck or Kellen Clemmons. Feast on those late round gems as the Browns had with Charlie Frye but don't come sniffing around DA unless you have a top ten pick and another first day selection on the table.
