Making The Grade: Philadelphia Eagles—Quarterback

In the first part of an ongoing series, I will be breaking down and grading each player at each position, as the Eagles wrap up mini-camp and head towards training camp.

The grading will be based on what they have accomplished in their career thus far, and my own personal belief of talent. At the end of each article, I will decide who I feel should be the starter and why.

First up, of course, the quarterbacks.

Donovan McNabb—A

McNabb has a love-hate relationship among Philly fans. Either ya love him, or ya hate him. That's the way it's been ever since our beloved (hooray sarcasm) governor, Ed Rendell, told Eagles fans to boo anyone drafted by the Eagles not named Ricky Williams. So how has that one worked out so far?

I don't know, let's ask all the Dolphins' personnel now out looking for work, but I digress. McNabb has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league over the past decade, despite the relentless scrutiny from the Philly media. Here's a top 10 list of accomplishments from McNabb, compliments of philadelphiaeagles.com.

Number Five's Top 10 List
1. Became the first player in NFL history to finish a season with 30+ TD passes (31) and fewer than 10 INTs (8) in 2004
2. Became the fourth-fastest QB in NFL history to reach the 50-win plateau, 71 starts, vs. Bal. (10/31/04)
3. One of seven players in NFL history to have amassed over 25,000 passing yards (25,404) and 2,500 rushing yards (2,962)
4. Ranks first among active passers in INT percentage (2.12) and second on the NFL's all-time list to Neil O'Donnell (2.11)
5. Ranks third on the NFL's all-time list in TD:INT ratio (min. 1,500 atts.) (2.16) to Tom Brady (2.29) and Steve Young (2.17).
6. Ranks first on the Eagles' all-time lists in completions (2,189), and second in TDs (171), yards (25,404) and attempts (3,732) behind Ron Jaworski.
7. Has posted more playoff wins (7) than any QB in team history. Ranks first on the Eagles' all-time posteseason list in completions (249), attempts (419), passing yards (2,630) and TD passes (18). Also ranks fourth all-time in postseason rushing yds. (362) and tied for second in rushing TDs (3)
8. Has the most wins by a starting quarterback in Eagles history (73)
9. His 22 combined career 300-yd. passing games ranks first on the Eagles' all-time list
10. Has a 14-8 record in primetime starts, including one in the playoffs.

 

A.J. Feeley—C 

A.J. has proved to be a very reliable back-up during his NFL career. Unfortunately for him, he has not worked out as a starter. He got his opportunity in Miami when the Eagles traded him to the Dolphins for a second-round draft pick.

As a starter with Miami, Feeley threw only 11 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. However, as a back-up, Feeley won four of the last five games, filling in for an injured Donovan McNabb and Koy Detmer in 2002, and nearly led the Eagles to the biggest upset of the decade, but fell just one interception short (ironically enough to now-Eagle Asante Samuel) of beating the unbeaten New England Patriots.

Kevin Kolb—Incomplete 

Kolb comes in with a lot of question marks. He did not see any time with the Eagles in his rookie year, but showed promise during the preseason with solid games under center. During his college years, he had some impressive numbers with a 62 percent completion rate, to go along with 85 touchdowns and 31 interceptions.

However, at pass-happy Houston, those numbers are only solid. I'm reminded of Andre Ware and David Klingler. All of the well-read and older readers, especially Detroit Lions and Cincinatti Bengals fans, just had a simultaneous shiver run down their spines. Two very-hyped Houston quarterbacks, two very big NFL busts. Not to say that will happen to Kolb, but not playing in a professional style offense will really hold him back, and I'm not quite sure if he's the future of the franchise.

So there ya have it. A breakdown of all three quarterbacks for the Philadelphia Eagles. So who do I believe will be and should be the starter? Quite obviously, Donovan McNabb. He has all the right tools to take this team back to the Super Bowl where it belongs.

He's two years removed from the horrific ACL tear and should be 100 percent at this point. All Reid has to do is utilize the running game more and just let McNabb play quarterback and the Eagles are right back to championship-caliber.

Check in soon for the next segment of "Making the Grade". Next up, the running backs.

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