The 2007 Offseason Thread

[BigEd76]

Here's some more!

McNabb is probably jealous of Manning 

Peyton Manning is everywhere.

Omnipresent on TV, seemingly making more commercials than the 1986 Super Bowl Shufflin' Bears combined. The Colts' quintessential quarterback is the face of the NFL, and he's in your face.

And no one seems to mind. Maybe it's the friendly face. The down-home dude with the computer-quick football mind, laser arm and boy-next-door persona seems to blend the best of both worlds.

Normally we grow sick of an overexposed superstar. But as much as a man making 100 million-plus could play the everyman, Manning pulls it off. (I especially like the credit card commercial where his paper boy throws one through Manning's window and Manning says, "That's all right, Rickey, you've still got the best arm in the neighborhood!")

I even heard the WIP morning team, which devours pro athletes like Wing Bowl, say they like Manning. I think most like Manning because they felt sorry for him all those years he couldn't beat the Patriots while being outmanned. He was becoming the NFL's A-Rod (great regular seasons, empty postseasons) though far more genuine and embraceable.

And now after engineering the greatest comeback in conference title game history, poetically over the Patriots, Manning's eternal validation ticket is stamped pending Super Bowl victory over the Bears. Right now Manning is The Man. America's quarterback, Madison Avenue's MVP.

"He's the nicest guy in the world, and everybody loves him," reasons Terry Lefton of Sports Business Daily and Journal.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chunky Soup, Donovan McNabb, reportedly is privately simmering, partly because some teammates prefer rejuvenated but 36-year-old Jeff Garcia. If it's true I can't blame him. McNabb has taken too much of the blame too long.

Somehow in this Philly-feel-good-till-New Orleans-story, McNabb became Mr. T to Garcia's Rocky. OK, I'm exaggerating, but after what McNabb's been through and overcome, his plummeting local popularity while rehabbing is disturbing. McNabb has had much more to fight through than Manning, more than the big-game shortfalls they've shared.

And he's equally worth rooting for.

From Rush Limbaugh to T.O., from a token rushing game that hurt him to season-ending injuries and clinically frustrated Philadelphia's annual rush to judgment, he faces a unique yearly test of toughness.

And yes, throw in the race card. Don't kid yourself that color isn't part of it. The vicious knee-jerk reactions of fans after McNabb throws one at the feet virtually prove that. As we celebrate two African-American coaches in a Super Bowl for the first time, it's hard to reconcile McNabb's relative lack of acceptance in Philly after five Pro Bowls, four NFC title games and one Super Bowl.

Is it personality? McNabb has seemed to need two personas — the corporate speak-type at press conferences, the radiant one elsewhere. The franchise face tries to be unflappable, but the perception grows that he's the anti-Manning — aloof and distant.

The more Andy Reid tries to avoid another soap opera, the more apparent it is there's dirty laundry, perhaps necessitating new uniforms for some. Reid only increased the speculation of McNabb's unhappiness by canceling his news conference. The coach has been more over-protective than Wilma McNabb, and maybe it's time he let his quarterback speak his mind. Tell us it's your team, Donovan, and those that can't deal with it will be dealt. You've got that power, and fortunately Reid isn't foolish enough to follow the polls and trade you.

It's hard for me to believe the perception that McNabb, who's as virtuous as Manning, has been mostly responsible for creating distance from teammates and fans. If he doesn't hang out with some of the Eagles enough, they should respect that he keeps hanging in there. The reality is the Eagles aren't far from another Super Bowl, primarily because he's one of the league's five best quarterbacks.

Reid leaves no doubt McNabb is his starting quarterback. But the Eagles can't finish the job until all of them believe it. Just as all the Colts kept believing in Manning.

Meanwhile, as the omnipresent Manning finally gets to the Super Bowl, Mr. Chunky Soup has to wonder why others keep stirring the pot.

[ice grillin you]

The coach has been more over-protective than Wilma McNabb, and maybe it's time he let his quarterback speak his mind. Tell us it's your team, Donovan, and those that can't deal with it will be dealt. You've got that power, and fortunately Reid isn't foolish enough to follow the polls and trade you.

^^^^
on point


btw im jealous of peyton manning

[BigEd76]

because he's 6'5" with a laser rocket arm and you're not? 

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

and he has that hot moustache

[PhillyPhreak54]

As soon as Donovan has a PC and tells us and the media this is his team then that snatch on WIP will get all bitchy and say "you're not a leader and its not your team if you keep having to tell us". She does it all the time.

[Munson]

Of course, the "fans" in this city will run him out of town. 


IGY, why don't you read Phreak's post explaining what you are blowing WAY out of proportion. You're making shtein up here.

Thank you. I know it's about 3 days late but I havn't had internet access.

IGY, the only thing that has come out and been confirmed (and I don't even know if it officially has been) is that McNabb was upset about not being allowed to go to the NO game because he was on IR. Eckel and whoever else makes up a bunch of shtein, and you run with it like McNabb is upset with Runyan and whoever else because they supported Garcia. And again, Runyan on DNL said nothing that would make anyone think that McNabb was upset for those reasons. Others have already pointed that out here, but hey...you only read what you want to hear, apparently. Nothing haas come out with any facts backing it up that McNabb is upset for any other reason then not being allowed to the NO game.

But for some reason, you love to see things that aren't there.

Don't stop though, it's semi-amusing. that is incredibly accurate.

[Geowhizzer]

They should have brought McNabb... maybe if he were there Reid would have listened and they wouldn't have punted. 

[BigEd76]

Roob gives his offseason ideas

-- let Garcia walk and draft a QB in the 3rd round
-- draft a RB in day 1
-- replace Stallworth with a free agent or draft pick that has speed
-- Justice at LT and MJG at LG with the starters in camp
-- start Bunkley and Patterson, rotate Walker as a DE and DT, get a fat slob DT
-- hope for 1 more year of Trotter before replacing him with Gaither
-- hope Gocong gets SLB
-- give Tank Daniels more time in camp
-- re-sign Mikell and James as backups, then draft a big CB and a safety
-- give Bloom the return duties

[Father Demon]

Roob gives his offseason ideas
-- replace Stallworth with a free agent or draft pick that has speed

I have to assume that the FO is going this way because of the expected $$$ Stallworth will get in FA.  As mentioned somewhere else, the only apparent FA that makes me a little excited is Jackson, and a trade with Oakland for Porter if possible.  Other than that, there's nothing out there.

I wonder how much Rosenhaus is involved in the reason the Eagles haven't locked him up?  I would guess they tried, and Rosen came back and said some rediculous number or else it's FA.  That would explain why TH and Banner have been so open with the "see ya" route in the talks.

[MDS]

Roob gives his offseason ideas

-- let Garcia walk and draft a QB in the 3rd round
-- draft a RB in day 1
-- replace Stallworth with a free agent or draft pick that has speed
-- Justice at LT and MJG at LG with the starters in camp
-- start Bunkley and Patterson, rotate Walker as a DE and DT, get a fat slob DT
-- hope for 1 more year of Trotter before replacing him with Gaither
-- hope Gocong gets SLB
-- give Tank Daniels more time in camp
-- re-sign Mikell and James as backups, then draft a big CB and a safety
-- give Bloom the return duties

herrermans what

[Munson]

Roob gives his offseason ideas
-- replace Stallworth with a free agent or draft pick that has speed

I have to assume that the FO is going this way because of the expected $$$ Stallworth will get in FA.  As mentioned somewhere else, the only apparent FA that makes me a little excited is Jackson, and a trade with Oakland for Porter if possible.  Other than that, there's nothing out there.

I wonder how much Rosenhaus is involved in the reason the Eagles haven't locked him up?  I would guess they tried, and Rosen came back and said some rediculous number or else it's FA.  That would explain why TH and Banner have been so open with the "see ya" route in the talks.

No no, letting Stallworth go is some big FO conspiracy to protect McNabb and not spend money.

Actually, Stallworth will probably get overpaid to go somewhere else, which sucks...The Eagles need him (or a reciever like him with less injury problems to the groin/hammy area).

As for Roob...yeah, what's his beef with Herremans? I'd still rather see Herremans take over at RT in the future, but might as well keep him in there at guard until Runyan retires. Anything to keep Andrews in at RG please.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Roob gives his offseason ideas

-- let Garcia walk and draft a QB in the 3rd round
-- draft a RB in day 1
-- replace Stallworth with a free agent or draft pick that has speed
-- Justice at LT and MJG at LG with the starters in camp
-- start Bunkley and Patterson, rotate Walker as a DE and DT, get a fat slob DT
-- hope for 1 more year of Trotter before replacing him with Gaither
-- hope Gocong gets SLB
-- give Tank Daniels more time in camp
-- re-sign Mikell and James as backups, then draft a big CB and a safety
-- give Bloom the return duties

Most of that article is nauseating.  The worst part is that he's advocating doing nothing with the LB's.

I lost a lot of "respect" in Reuben Frank's football knowledge there.  It reads more like Spadaro than anything.

[Drunkmasterflex]

I like the idea of them letting Garcia go.  I really want to see a young QB in here.  I think AJ can do just as good of a job as Garcia did with this team.  Chris Leak would be an interesting choice or possibly that Kolb kid from Houston. 

[Munson]

I like AJ in the Eagles offense. He seems comfortable in it, and has a good strong arm.

Maybe they'll draft Troy Smith.

[shorebird]

I like the idea of them letting Garcia go.  I really want to see a young QB in here.  I think AJ can do just as good of a job as Garcia did with this team.  Chris Leak would be an interesting choice or possibly that Kolb kid from Houston. 

I'd like to see A.J. as McNabb's backup next year. I remember saying that when Garcia was signed, but got chastised for wanting to discuss backup qb's.