The Philadelphia Eagles have been relatively busy this free agency. Unfortunately for Eagles fans, they’ve spent more time waving goodbye to former All-Pros than welcoming players to the fold.
First it was Drian Dawkins leaving for Denver. Most recently it was Tra Thomas heading to Jacksonville. In between they’ve lost or traded role players Correll Buckhalter, Lito Sheppard, Greg Lewis and Sean Considine.
Donovan McNabb wrote on his blog that he “will always regret not having the chance to win a championship with these guys.” (Technically he did have a chance, but I think we get his point).
The Eagles are also likely without long time tackle Jon Runyan (a free agent recovering from knee surgery), have not re-signed starting TE LJ Smith (who may be supplanted by Brent Celek), and either missed out on or weren’t interested in TJ Houshmenzadeh (whom many Eagles fans on Yardbarker seemed to think they should get).
What have they brought in? Stacy Andrews, a solid young right tackle to replace Runyan and pair with brother Shawn, who plays guard for the Eagles. And safety Sean Jones, a three year starter for the Cleveland Browns who has also been solid but never starred. Both players could improve with the Eagles, but are hardly sure things to replace the contributions Dawkins and Runyan–and that still leaves gaping holes at left tackle, and lesser holes at backup RB (for often injured Brian Westbrook) and at always important nickel back spot.
The Eagles have stocked up draft picks and cash. There are rumors that they may use them to try to trade for established players, like Jason Peters. But would the Bills move Peters, now that they’ve apparently decided to make a push for it with T.O.? And would bringing in re-treads like Orlando Pace really make McNabb feel confident about his blind side?
So the question has to be thrown out there–with the draft picks and the cash reserve, should the Eagles think about dumping McNabb at this point, and use the picks they would get to re-load now, rather than later?
Realistically, given the lack of effort all along from the Eagles in re-signing Thomas, Dawkins and Runyan, they aren’t likely to change gears at this point and suddenly start shopping McNabb.
But I’m thinking adding the first round pick (probably plus more) they could probably get from a certain team that still needs a quarterback and happens to have a head coach that believes he mentored McNabb in his early years would help the Eagles be back in the Super Bowl hunt within 1-2 years, if they draft well–whereas with McNabb, they may continue to struggle to make the playoffs and face early exits until that chapter is closed.
I think the Eagles should stick to Donovan McNabb to be honest. Last season, He took the Eagles to the NFC Championship game. His production for the year was excellent. He had a career high in passing yards and barely got sacked. Now, his rushing production is going down, but that’s because he isn’t young anymore. He doesn’t have fresh legs like he used to.
I think the Eagles are thinking this: McNabb took the us (Eagles) to the NFC Championship 5 times, but he only won 1 time. They probably thinking that, we need a QB who can take us to the Super Bowl and win it.
Donovan McNabb is a future HOF consideration. But the organization has trusted him for the past 10 seasons. Do you think it is time for a change in Philly? I don’t, but that is just me.
If I trusted them to get a good deal, and/or use the pick(s) wisely, I would probably look at making a deal. McNabb seems to want a new contract, which I wouldn’t give him. And I’d rather do a quick rebuild in 1-2 years with a ton of picks, so I could get back to the SB and win it all, rather than try to piece something together to make 1-2 more playoff runs with a team that probably can’t win it all.
Maybe they can get back to the Championship game next year–but I certainly don’t think they’re a better team right now.