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I still think you can't have two of them back, just because they all want to start, and each one will cause different problems if you put them in a backup role, plus they'll be lacking a certain level of maturity in any event.

If you’re the Eagles, you have to make a decision on whether or not you’re looking short-term on long-term. Obviously, short-term involves keeping McNabb and long-term involves keeping Kolb. But they need to dispel this notion that they’re going to contend every year, regardless of who they keep, unless they can guarantee that the entire NFC will be as weak as it was throughout most of the last decade.

My belief is that if they trade McNabb and keep Kolb, they will not be a legitimate contender next year. In a pass-happy offense, he’s gonna need a year to take his lumps before they can start having reasonable expectations because the defenses he faced in lowly Kansas City and New Orleans during a blowout loss are not gonna be the norm. If they make this call, they have to give him some time OR change to a balanced offense. In other words, they have to give him some time.

If you think there’s a reasonably good chance the guy you trade will come back to bite you on the ass and stomp you, you have to ask yourself why the Hell you’re making this trade. And you can only really answer “We’re trying to win now, and McNabb gives us the best shot to win right now” or “We’re looking long-term, and Kolb will be the guy to take us there in the future and for years to come.”

Unfortunately, I think the F.O. lives in a fairytale world where anyone can contend at any time with any player as long as you have continuity in your coaching, a “genius” system, a healthy balance sheet, and a lot of luck.

Their balance sheet will be reminiscent of the Pittsburgh Pirates where the NFL will have to investigate whether or not they are spending enough revenue on players or just hoarding it all. This team will rapidly become a joke if they don't lock up players prior to an uncapped year (looking like a lock out year instead).

Talon, how many more years does Kolb need time? He's spent 3 years on the bench now. This will be his fourth year. Seriously, if they think he's the future, the time is now. He'll be 26 at the start of the season. This isn't some rookie.

My belief is that if they trade McNabb and keep Kolb, they will not be a legitimate contender next year. In a pass-happy offense, he’s gonna need a year to take his lumps before they can start having reasonable expectations because the defenses he faced in lowly Kansas City and New Orleans during a blowout loss are not gonna be the norm. If they make this call, they have to give him some time OR change to a balanced offense. In other words, they have to give him some time.

Of course, this won't happen, and they'll look at the Jets reaching the AFC title game as validation to that method, even though:
1) The Jets had the #1 defense and a defensive whiz at HC;
2) The Jets had a running game that took a ton of pressure off of Sanchez.

And even then, it took playing two teams that had given up on the season for them to get in.

Nothing about this team tells me they'll be able to have anything close to 1 or 2. And they'll throw Kolb out there thinking he can replicate the KC game 16 times a year. He'll be more accurate than McNabb, sure, but he won't be helped by an average defense, a rigid coaching staff that can't adjust, and expectations to not suck.

Talon, how many more years does Kolb need time? He's spent 3 years on the bench now. This will be his fourth year. Seriously, if they think he's the future, the time is now. He'll be 26 at the start of the season. This isn't some rookie.

He has almost no NFL gameday experience. I’m sure he learned a tad from getting his ass handed to him in mop-up duty two years ago, and the KC and Saints games were eye-openers for him, but I don’t think you can expect him to make them a contender this season. It would be his first full season as a starter, and he would be bound to see a ton of different looks from defenses.

I know there is rabid excitement about the prospect or running McNabb out of town, but people need to temper their immediate expectations for Kolb if he’s the starter this season. He will not have the benefit of a Rothlisberger/Sanchez, walking into a team with a dominant defense, powerful offensive line, and strong running game. Reid’s offense does not call for a mere game manager at QB; Reid believes the QB has to do everything with almost no margin for error, and that’s a lot of pressure to put on a first time starter, regardless of his age.

Be careful what you wish for.

i think most people want mcnabb gone b/c they know he has value, and the defense is so effed right now (along with ? on the OL) that there's no point in having McNabb. I'd rather have Kolb take his lumps now while they're improving the defense and see if he is what they think he is, or if they have to get someone else

mcnabb went to the pro bowl in his second season in the league, first as a starter, in a heavily unbalanced offense with terrible receivers. there is no reason to assume kolb wouldn't be at able to perform at a reasonably high level next year.

Kolb won't have a good defense to bail him out or an offense that's been proven to perform against higher-level opponents.

Kolb's career will be symbolic of Reid's - good against bad teams, but unable to beat the better ones.

bass, my point is that if kolb is a player, i don't think lack of experience will be that much of an issue next year. the other problems you just mentioned will exist no matter who is the quarterback.

Exactly KB. McNabb will never amount to anything more than what he did this past season, that is beat up weak teams and be abused by decent defenses.

How would Kolb be any different? He showed he can beat up bad teams, and he can't be much worse than McNabb was against stronger defenses. Getting rid of McNabb for a number of picks, a high pick or an established defender could be the move that would solidify the defense. Moving Vick and McNabb could bring in two studs on D that could make that unit comparable to the Jets/Steelers defense.

The D isn't bad. It's actually pretty decent, but it lacks solidity up the middle (with Bradley coming back that should establish that), and it needs a couple game changers. QM, Brown and AS are looking as good as they'll get in the secondary, so a stud to cover the other safety position could be needed. A stud LB would help. A legit passrusher could be the difference. Maybe moving one of the DT's for a stud DT that can really make a difference against the run and be a pass rusher would be the trick.

Moving both of them should bring two starter caliber players over. At least one should improve the D.

The thing is, how many years do they hold onto Kolb before they start him? Rogers was pretty much pushed into the same position Kolb was, decent D, poor line, no running game, and look how he transformed Green Bay around? He was a late 1st rounder that had years of benchwork until Green Bay pushed forward with him and now he's a Pro Bowler. At some point you have to see if the investment is worth it.

well we disagree on the D being decent. THey were middle of the pack in everything, exactly b/c they can handle bad teams but play like shit against good teams.

bass, my point is that if kolb is a player, i don't think lack of experience will be that much of an issue next year.

I think it will, but it will show in some spots, like when he threw that pick to Ed Reed. He won't be great, but if he is a player, you'll be able to tell after a few games. No one thought Rodgers could play when he came in the one game, but it was only one game.

i find it pretty hard to blame Kolb for that Ed Reed pick. i mean, they're inside the one, on the road, he gets tossed into the game against a crazy defense, and Reid has him throw it.

I was driving towards my honeymoon when that happened

The D isn't bad.

Bradley coming back won't help them a ton b/c
1) They still can't get to the QB without a blitz
2) Their secondary isn't as good as it's been
3) They still have problems tackling

They'll be better, sure, but we're not talking the 90 Eagles losing Byron Evans.

I see your point, KB, but even Kolb came out and said he should've thrown it a split second earlier to Brown. The fact that he was thrown against a top defense meant you just had to hope for the best, but it's like trying to find which deck chair could float on the Titanic that day.

i think most people want mcnabb gone b/c they know he has value, and the defense is so effed right now (along with ? on the OL) that there's no point in having McNabb. I'd rather have Kolb take his lumps now while they're improving the defense and see if he is what they think he is, or if they have to get someone else

If you’re committed to rebuilding, i.e. not stupidly expecting to win it all next year with your usual bag of cheap band-aids, I’m fine with getting value in return for McNabb and planning long-term with Kolb. I also will hope that McNabb beats their asses and wins a Super Bowl, which will prove that the problem was Reid, not McNabb.

mcnabb went to the pro bowl in his second season in the league, first as a starter, in a heavily unbalanced offense with terrible receivers.

Bass already debunked this, but I’ll add that the NFC sucked back then, and the QBs were no great shakes. I don’t remember the history, but I wouldn’t be surprised if McNabb was a replacement for the Pro Bowl, especially because that’s how most Eagles get there. My guess is that it went Warner, Collins, Favre, and then McNabb or maybe even someone in front of McNabb.

Which brings me to my second point…

my point is that if kolb is a player, i don't think lack of experience will be that much of an issue next year

The issue is reading and reacting to defenses. It’s not something you learn on the bench, and if you recall, a lot of what made McNabb so successful early on was his ability to improvise and either run the ball, which he did really well, or rip up the play by rolling out of the pocket to find someone on the run. As we all know, he can no longer do either of those things, but back in the day, that saved his ass when things broke down. While Kolb has some mobility, it’s not the same thing.

I’m not saying that Kolb can’t be good, but I don’t think you can expect a Pro Bowl season out of him next year, especially with a shit defense, a schizophrenic offensive line, and stubborn mule at head coach.

I’m not saying that Kolb can’t be good, but I don’t think you can expect a Pro Bowl season out of him next year, especially with a shit defense, a schizophrenic offensive line, and stubborn mule at head coach.

i basically agree. my point was that all things being equal, i don't think starting kolb at this point is akin to throwing a rookie out there on a rebuilding team. he'll make some mistakes based on inexperience, but i don't think he'd need his hand held, either.

I guess my point is that Philly is better with Kolb at QB, and McNabb moved for more talent on the defensive side of the ball. I don't see Kolb being a lot worse than McNabb.

yea i think that too

Don't make me change my mind.

i wont

MCNABB is over in PHILLY time for new leadership.Kolb was brought in to replace him and its time.Kolb showed he can run the offense.Mcnabb TOO many chances TOO many no shows or int when you need it least

DOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCHE!

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