The Eagle Has Landed, Philadelphia Eagles Trade Donovan McNabb

After much speculation, the Philadelphia Eagles surprised the NFL world by trading veteran QB Donovan McNabb to their division rivals, the Washington Redskins. The Redskins who've been uncharacteristically quiet during free agency, seemed to come out of nowhere to land the pro-bowl quarterback. Early reports had McNabb going several places, the Oakland Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, or Arizona Cardinals. It was widely known the Redskins were in the market for a QB, but the belief was, they'd draft a quarterback, getting McNabb from Philly, was unexpected.

With just one year remaining on his contract, it was unlikely Philadelphia was going to resign the 33-year-old quarterback, with young Kevin Kolb waiting in the wings. For the Eagles, it was get something for McNabb now, or watch him leave via free agency, and get nothing later. The future starts now for the Eagles, a future that includes the Redskins 2^nd round pick this year, and a third or fourth round pick in next year's draft. This is a trade that may work out for both teams. The Eagles think they have their quarterback of the future in Kolb, so they trade McNabb and obtain two draft picks, which should help the team in the near future.

For Washington, Shanahan was unsatisfied with his quarterback situation, so he went out and replaced Jason Campbell with a proven veteran. In McNabb, Washington gets a pro-bowl QB, from a divisional opponent, which theoretically makes the Eagles weaker and the Redskins better. Washington must now concentrate on getting McNabb some weapons to throw to. Would the Redskins dare bring in free agent receiver, Terrell Owens, and have a reunion with McNabb and the controversial wide out? If Shanahan thinks Owens can help the team win, he'll think about it, but ultimately he is going to want his new QB happy. So, I don't see Owens in D.C., why would McNabb want old baggage on his new team. Whether it's Owens, or someone else, the Redskins clearly need another receiver and an offensive lineman to protect their new investment.

The Philadelphia Eagles made a difficult decision to begin their future now, with Kolb, and their youthful offensive group, while the Redskins are looking to escape their disappointing past, and enjoy the present, with a new coach, and quarterback, For Philadelphia, the absence of McNabb, means Kolb, the Eagles 2007 draft pick is the Eagles new starter, and Michael Vick is the backup. Hopefully, Philadelphia and Kevin Kolb are ready because they play in one of the toughest divisions in football, and it's a division that just got tougher because they'll have to face the Redskins, and their new QB, who'll be playing with a newly placed chip on his shoulder. Donovan McNabb is coming off one of the best years of his career, and time will tell if the Eagles miscalculated his value or Kolb's. In the end, the teams will be graded on this trade based on where each team finishes in the division. The always competitive NFC East, just got more exciting.

Sources:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/football/nfl/04/04/mcnabb.skins.ap/index.html?eref=sihp