by Brian on December 23, 2007 at 4:28PM
mcnabbonthemove1223.jpgLet the debate begin. If Donovan McNabb can play like this on a regular basis, he has to be the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles next year. Obviously, the question remains, can he play like this on a regular basis.

Number 5 looked solid in the pocket, mobile out of the pocket, confident with his passes and unafraid to throw the ball into coverage. In a nutshell, he looked nothing like the hesitant, sporadic guy we've seen under center all year long. Was this a sign of a quarterback nearing the end of a long rehabilitation process, or was this the sign of a quarterback playing with nothing on the line against a secondary decimated by injuries? I'll let you be the judge. My only feelings on the matter are that McNabb deserves a lot of credit for today's win, and an apology from me for riding him so hard these past couple of weeks.

Brian Westbrook was Brian Westbrook, meaning dominant. The D really settled down after giving up TDs on the first two possessions (one was the result of a short field after a Westbrook fumble). The defining moment of the game was another goal-line stand by the D. The Saints had the ball on the half yard-line after a miracle tackle by Mikell to save a touchdown. Rookie Stewart Bradley, filling in for the injured Omar Gaither, came up huge on three of the plays and the Eagles stoned the Saints on four straight runs.

If the Eagles can beat the Bills to end the season they'll finish at .500. Hardly an accomplishment considering the manner in which they've given games away this season, but still, it's a landmark.

Player of The Game: Stewart Bradley, 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT. The most productive game for an Eagles' LB this season.
Team Record: 7-8



Also on the Network:
√ Howry: Soon Is Now [El Lefty Malo]
√ A Tall Order [Depressed Fan]
√ Hazy Sabes of Winter [El Lefty Malo]
√ Holding Pattern [C70 At The Bat]




[December 25, 2007 8:58 PM]  |  link  |  reply
JJ said

Hey Brian,

You weren't riding McNabb any harder than he deserved in previous weeks but making an accurate assessment of his ability. He doesn't deserve to be the scapegoat for the team but certainly isn't leading them into the playoffs either.

I'm not sure what to think of McNabb anymore. Take out the Detroit and New Orleans games and his performance has been poor. His decision making and release on the ball is slow, (perhaps because he's still testing out the injury) and it puts pressure on what is still one of the better offensive lines in the league. Under Feeley, the line only ceded 5 sacks in three games. Under McNabb, they've given up somewhere around 30 sacks. I'm not saying Feeley is the answer, and Kolb certainly isn't ready either. McNabb has some good football left in him, but I'm not sure it will be here and his talk seems to indicate maybe he's looking for a fresh start too.

Supposedly Brad Childress in Minnesota is interested in him, and of course there's Chicago too. If he isn't here next year, the Eagles will probably clean house and spend the next two years rebuilding and that is going to suck.

Stewart Bradley was amazing at LB, but Brent Celek looked solid in his first start too. L.J. Smith is so gone now. I wouldn't be surprised if Celek started the rest of the season.

[December 26, 2007 12:24 AM]  |  link  |  reply
Brian said

JJ,

I really don't know what to think about next year. Tearing the whole thing down and rebuilding when you have possibly the best back in the NFL, in his prime, seems like a very foolish thing to do. The D-Line is young, and very good. The LBs have come around. The O-line should be fine. I just don't see how you can tear it apart this offseason.

For me, there are really two questions: Can you get McNabb a game-breaker at the WR position? and if not, is Kolb ready to go out there and not lose games for you?

If Kolb can give you the good that Feeley does (get rid of the ball quickly, deliver accurate throws to the right receiver) without the bad the Feeley does (picks out the ying-yang), that's enough to get this team deep into the playoffs.

We're going to have to wait and see. I'd like to see Kolb for at least a quarter or so on Sunday, but I don't think it's going to happen.