Donovan McNabb gave his first extensive interview since the Eagles drafted Kevin Kolb today on ESPN. You can watch the video of the interview and John Clayton’s analysis here.
There’s nothing shocking about the interview (Other than Donovan’s huge beard). It seems as though he didn’t know the pick was coming, but I doubt Andy Reid knew it was coming. According to most reports, they expected to use their first round pick on a safety, and maybe they were hoping Kolb would drop to them in the second, but I don’t think the plan going into the draft was to get Kolb.
Having Kolb on the roster isn’t going to be an issue this year. Even if McNabb isn’t ready to go at the beginning of the season, it’s not going to be Kolb to fill in. Most likely, it’ll be A.J. Feeley. As Clayton said, this pick only becomes an issue two full seasons down the road, when McNabb is in an option year. If he stays healthy, and productive, between now and then, it’s still his team. If he doesn’t, well Kolb’s there to take over.
Whether McNabb can see this pick for what is, and play without looking over his shoulder, remains to be seen. If you asked me a couple of years ago, I probably would’ve said he’s a professional and it won’t affect him. Now, however, it seems like there are some cracks in the self-confidence department.
McNabb has been attacked, pushed and injured. Like it or not, it’s probably going to take some coddling from Reid to make sure this doesn’t become an issue for number 5.
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While no one would doubt McNabb's arm strength or talent, his confidence has been an issue for quite a while. Remember the rumors of him throwing up in the Superbowl? There were also reports that his nervous stomach getting the best of him when he was at Syracuse as well.
You have to have a pretty thick skin to be a quarterback. All eyes are on you when your team fails. McNabb doesn't appear to have that thick skin, nor does he demonstrate an ability to lead and make his teammates around him better. He reminds me of a former Philadelphia athlete with a confidence/leadership problem... Eric Lindros. When you're paid as much as these guys are paid, you get the scrutiny to go with the paycheck, like it or not.
Here's the thing about McNabb, and I think it's something that he is really struggling with right now.
When he plays, he's a top five QB in the league, without a doubt. He's got all the talent in the world, and his resume is impressive. There is no doubt that he's the best QB in the NFC East, personally, I think he's the best in the NFC.
The problem is that he hasn't finished a season, or even appeared in the playoffs since the Superbowl in 2005. It's tough to remind yourself how productive he was when he just hasn't been out there. I hate to say it, but this season may be make or break for him. Whether anyone wants to admit it, and I sure don't, he does need to look over his shoulder.
It's a tough fact to face, and I really like McNabb, as a person and as a QB, but if he can't stay healthy it's going to be time to move on.
I agree that when healthy, McNabb is one of the top 5 QB's in the league. No one questions his talent.
But he hasn't been around during crunch time three out of the last five seasons. That in itself has become part of the distraction surrounding him. I'm not saying it's fair, but that's the way it's been.
And there is some question about his ability to lead and motivate the people around him. Even though he has more talent perhaps than a Tom Brady, if I had my money on the game, I'd have it on Brady instead of McNabb as Brady has the ability to make the people around him better.
That said, I really hope McNabb steps up this year, as I really like him too..