Eagles Fans Will Miss McNabb

Nothing against Norm Van Brocklin, Randall Cunningham or Ron Jaworski, but the Philadelphia Eagles traded away the best quarterback in franchise history after the 2009 NFL season.

Donovan McNabb's Philadelphia career was often under-appreciated by Eagles fans, who grew impatient with the quarterback for not bringing home a Super Bowl title.

You don't know what you've got 'till it's gone, Philly.

McNabb manned the quarterback position for the Eagles from 1999, when he was selected No. 2 overall out of Syracuse, through 2009, when he was dealt to NFC East-division foe Washington. During those 11 seasons, all he did was become the franchise leader in total passing yards (32,873), completions (2,801), attempts (4,746), completion percentage (59.0) and touchdown passes (216). He led the team to four straight division titles (2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004), five NFC Championship game appearances (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2008) and a spot in Super Bowl XXXIX after the 2004 season.

If not for a 24-21 loss to the New England Patriots in that Super Bowl, McNabb would likely have remained in Philly for the rest of his career. Coach Andy Reid maintains that McNabb was only traded because the deal made the most sense for the team, which had Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick on the roster and needed to trade away one of the three quarterbacks. But don't buy that line; the Eagles received merely a second-round pick (No. 37 overall) and either a third- or a fifth-round pick in return for their all-time franchise leader at quarterback.

Make no mistake, the Eagles could have easily gotten good value for Kolb, McNabb's replacement as starter, or even better value for McNabb himself, who declined to be traded to the Oakland Raiders or the Buffalo Bills, both teams that expressed interest in McNabb.

No, this deal was more about a franchise looking to move on and reignite a fanbase that had largely grown tired of coming up short.

In McNabb's defense, however, he rarely had a big-time target during his 11 seasons with the Eagles. And when he did, in 2004, he put together his best season as a pro, going 300-for-469 for 3,875 yards, 31 touchdowns, eight interceptions and the Super Bowl XXXIX appearance. He became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for more than 30 TDs and less than 10 interceptions in the same season, and also rushed for 220 yards and three TDs.

The difference that season? Terrell Owens, who caught 77 of McNabb's passes for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The following season, Owens' mouth got him in trouble and, eventually, released by the Eagles after a series of comments and complaints earned him a suspension by the team, then deactivation.

For much of his Philadelphia career, McNabb was known for making do with a less-than-stellar supporting cast. But during the last couple of years of his Eagles career, the team had begun bringing in some real talent for the quarterback to work with.

The Eagles drafted wide receiver/punt returner DeSean Jackson out of California in 2008. The rookie quickly became McNabb's top target, and the quarterback threw for 3,916 yards and 23 TDs against just 11 interceptions in leading the team back to the conference championship game.

The following offseason, the Eagles drafted wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and running back LeSean McCoy, signaling a youth movement in Philly. But many figured that, despite the Eagles drafting Kolb in 2007, McNabb would be the one to guide all the youngsters, especially since he'd been playing so well.

Not the case.

The Eagles put together some talented pieces in the seasons leading up to McNabb's departure, and whether he could have led them to that elusive Super Bowl title will remain barstool conversation in Philly.

One thing's for certain, though - Eagles fans are gonna miss No. 5.

Donovan McNabb, NFL
Record Book, Philadelphia Eagles