It was too calm in Eagle Nation
Eagles fans finally have something fresh to worry about. Donvan McNabb was shut down for the rest of OTAs Tuesday with shoulder tendinitis. This wouldn't be a story with most players, but McNabb is past getting the benefit of the doubt when it comes to injuries. Cue insane talk radio callers!
My head knows that it's not a big deal; Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are among the quarterbacks also on pitch counts. The difference is they rarely sit out for weeks at a time and they play 16 games every season.
Eagles.com makes a great point that McNabb was shut down in the exact same fashion four years ago for the same problem. He went on to his best season that year, finishing in the the Super Bowl.
One of my "bold predictions" in our magazine was that Philly would make it to the big game again this year. I also bet on McNabb playing significantly better in this, his second season after ACL surgery. The news of this shoulder injury is not going to make me back off those projections yet. But if the problems linger into August, McNabb won't continue to get the benefit of the doubt.
Comments
Unfortunately Peyton doesn't play 16 games during the "regular" season. Dungy likes to bench him during FF playoffs. Main concern about McNabb is, who is he going to throw it to? The WR he threw to during the Super Bowl year you mentioned is catching passes and going to the Bowl with Romo this year.
Posted by: b roo | June 10, 2008 04:14 PM
Westbrook cures all ails
Posted by: Matt | June 10, 2008 05:40 PM
Ha, it's the '07 Clinton Portis debate all over again.
I remember how that worked out - hopefully some people jump on board this year so I can get McNabb for a good price (Portis in 4th-5th rd last year still seems silly). Now, I'm not saying that I WANT McNabb, or that I think he'll have a monster year. But I will be all over that value action if he gets to rd 10.
Posted by: The Dox | June 10, 2008 05:50 PM
I like the value. I'm not even that concerned with the lack of a stud WR. Even though Owens played in the Super Bowl, he wasn't there when the Birds won any of their NFC playoff games during 2004. But B-West was there, as long as his health remains they should be alright.
Posted by: The JPO | June 10, 2008 07:08 PM
Hey Gregg, looks like you have some Italian readership!
http://www.playitusa.com/articolo.php?id=7812
Posted by: StevenG | June 10, 2008 08:06 PM
Wow. how did you find that.
Posted by: gregg | June 11, 2008 01:00 PM
I read the Instant 49ers blog and Matt Maiocco linked it (since he was the person interviewed by the italian media). I just read the article and there it was!
Posted by: StevenG | June 11, 2008 06:28 PM