Close Loss Spells End to McNabb Era

The most important story to come out of last night’s miraculous 3-point loss to the Patriots involves an Eagle that wasn’t even in the stadium: Donovan McNabb.  To say that McNabb has been on the hot-seat with Eagle fans and media would be an understatement, and the excellent performance of A.J. Feeley last night moves the heat dial up to BROIL.  McNabb very well may start the rest of the games this season, but it’s likely that last night’s game cements his exit at the end of the season.

As much as Andy Reid insists that McNabb is his quarterback, McNabb’s constant injuries and diminished play this season, combined with the Eagles history of cutting loose veterans as soon as they appear to be slipping, make it very easy to see them parting ways with the quarterback this offseason.  Feeley is not the long-term answer (the Eagles hope that’s Kevin Kolb), but he has always looked comfortable in Reid’s West Coast offense and it makes it easier to part with McNabb knowing you have Feeley and Kolb at the position.

Most Philly fans seem to forget now, but McNabb is the best quarterback to ever put on an Eagles uniform.  I’m not convinced that he should be gone after this season.  He is, after all, in the first season after major knee surgery and it’s hard to tell how much that has affected his play.  But he turned 31-years-old yesterday, is owed a lot of money over the next couple seasons, and just can’t seem to stay healthy anymore.  He also has never fully matured into the leader that it seemed like he would become early in his career.  But he is still a great quarterback and people shouldn’t forget that.  The stage is now set for the fans and media to run him out of town and I’m just starting to think that might not be such a bad thing.  At this point, it might be what he and the team needs, but wherever McNabb is playing next year, I’ll be rooting for him.