Friday, December 26, 2008

Leaving the Nest?

Sunday's game against Dallas could be McNabb's last as an Eagle


The writing is already on the wall. For a year now Howard Eskin has been saying that the "contract extension" would be the deciding factor if McNabb remains an Eagle in 2009. And, that means Joe Banner put that in his ear.

We could sit here and talk about it until we're ready to pass out by analyzing the repeated failures of the Andy Reid regime and why he shouldn't return in any capacity to the Eagles. I happen to think he'll return as coach but the brain trust will actually put a real GM in there with a voice and not just some puppet like Tom Heckert. They realize the talent evaluation on this team is sub-par and by keeping things status quo it's going to further infuriate the fanbase.

Another huge change for the Eagles organization could be at quarterback. The word is he is going to want a contract extension after the season and the timing couldn't be better for the Eagles. Andy Reid wants to save his ass and will pin this "lost season" on McNabb, who didn't have a great season as he said or even a very good season. I'd say McNabb was adequate this year. He had some good games against poor competition, didn't lead the team to any 4th quarter comeback victories (he hasn't since the Raiders game in 2005), and stunk up the stadium against the Bengals and Ravens. I still think McNabb can hang with the big boys like Manning and Brady but he needs a better coach, more weapons, and a better system. It's not happening though-at least not here.

Sunday could very well be McNabb's last as an Eagle and it will mark the end of an era of another "what could have been" story in town. He'll join the ranks of Randall, Sir Charles, and Lindros as athletes in Philly who were very successful, but didn't win the big one.

And, we can pin that on Reid. McNabb should have won at least one Super Bowl and that year was in 2003. Had Reid kept utilizing Duce Staley in the game against Tampa Bay in 2003, the game known as The Debacle I, the Eagles would have went on to play Oakland and win. However, Reid in his stubborness blew many opportunities by abandoning the run in the big games. Look at all of the Eagles meltdowns and ye shall see a laundry list of out-of-whack pass to run ratios.

As you know the Eagles will not only need to win, but they'll need Chicago to lose and Tampa to lose as well. Oh yeah, Chicago plays Houston and Tampa plays Oakland. Don't bet on both of those teams losing.

No comments: