Backups or Replacements: Eagles' Donovan McNabb Needs Swift Return

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid has been fiercely loyal to quarterback Donovan McNabb in the past, and McNabb has weathered storms before, but it seems like the Eagles are inviting drama this season.

McNabb faces an onslaught of competition to maintain his 11-year reign as the Eagles’ starter. A quick return to action would help solidify his spot as his fellow quarterbacks could pad their stats in the Eagles' next two games against rebuilding teams, the 0-2 Kansas City Chiefs and the 0-2 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Kevin Kolb, a third-year quarterback, replaced McNabb in the second half of a game last year and Pro Bowl journeyman Jeff Garcia spectacularly substituted for McNabb during a playoff run in the 2006 season. Michael Vick, another Pro Bowl quarterback, brings his strong arm and quick feet to complete the trio of in-house challengers.

In preseason action, Vick operated in the Wildcat formation and McNabb was rightfully upset at the team’s play calling. The five-time Pro Bowler, who has led the team to unprecedented success and is one of the best players in franchise history, seemed surprised that the team would use the formation early in the game and compared the “gimmick” to the squad’s base offense.

It’s still unclear if McNabb will be available on Sunday, and if not, which of the other quarterbacks will start for the Eagles against the Chiefs. The fact that he was listed as doubtful last week after suffering a rib injury in a Week One win against the Carolina Panthers and is trying to play in Week Three is interesting. Coincidentally, Vick is eligible to return in Week Three.

Most franchise quarterbacks aren’t subjected to this type of treatment, and this may be a sign that the team is looking to proceed in another direction.

Quarterbacks Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Ben Roethlisberger don’t have Pro Bowl backups that pose such an immediate threat to their position. They don’t utilize the Wildcat much, either.

The obvious retort is that those quarterbacks have won a Super Bowl championship and earned the accompanying perks. However, McNabb has been entrenched as a starter since his rookie season and helped the team make seven playoff appearances in 10 seasons.  

Another argument in favor of stockpiling quarterbacks in Philadelphia is McNabb’s injury history. Injuries have played a large part in McNabb’s career, and the much-maligned quarterback suffered season-ending injuries in 2005 (sports hernia), 2006 (knee), and 2007 (ankle). Painful playoff losses have also plagued McNabb, and the biggest heartbreaker was the Super Bowl loss that followed three consecutive NFC title game losses, including two at home.

It’s hard to believe that McNabb is in such a quandary after a solid season in 2008 in which he started all 16 games for the first time since 2004 and led the team to an unexpected berth in the NFC Championship game with two road victories in the playoffs.

After McNabb remarkably expressed that he didn’t understand NFL overtime rules in a tie against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11, head coach Andy Reid pulled McNabb at halftime during a loss to the Baltimore Ravens the next week. McNabb was 8-of-18 for 59 yards with two interceptions, a fumble, and two sacks for a 13.2 passer rating, but despite his performance, the Eagles were only down 10-7 at the half. McNabb told reporters that he had never been removed from a game in that manner and shock waves began to spread.

The questionable move to switch quarterbacks when the Eagles were trailing by three points didn’t work out for the Eagles, and Kolb didn’t fare much better against the Ravens' exceptional defense in the 36-7 blowout. Kolb also threw two interceptions, including one that was returned 100 yards for a touchdown by standout safety Ed Reed.

McNabb recovered, leading the Eagles to wins in four of their last five games and earning a trip to the playoffs. The much-maligned quarterback continued to work magic in the postseason before yet another NFC title game loss against the Arizona Cardinals.

The addition of Vick and Garcia makes for great theater, but it may signal uneasy times for McNabb.

Kolb, who has played in two tough games—a sudden, unplanned appearance against Baltimore’s defensive stalwarts and a 48-22 loss against the New Orleans Saints and their high-scoring offense—could get the start against the Chiefs. The Chiefs have lost their last six games and are 1-13 in their last 14 games.

Vick, whose two playoff losses with the Atlanta Falcons came at the hands of the McNabb-led Eagles in 2002 and 2004, could play in the Wildcat formation in his return to the active roster this week. If Kolb struggles again, Vick could find himself playing quarterback more often.

Garcia is the master of being patient and seizing an opportunity when it arises. He seldom arrives to a team as a starter, but he manages to find his way onto the field. Any quarterback playing in front of Garcia might feel anxious that he’ll be plugged in the lineup.

After leading the Eagles to the playoffs in 2006, he led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a division title in 2007 before the Bucs narrowly missed the playoffs in 2008, after losing the final game of the season. Following this week’s matchup with the Chiefs, the Eagles have a bye week before facing two of Garcia’s former teams, the Oakland Raiders and the Buccaneers.

Motivation abounds for McNabb's backups. Vick wants to shine in his return to the NFL, Kolb would like to show he can be an effective NFL quarterback, and Garcia has the chance to defeat his former teams.

The triple threats are eager to take the reins of the team, but a speedy recovery from McNabb will slow down their race to take his spot.