Why the Philadelphia Eagles Need to Keep Donovan McNabb

The 2007 season was a tough one for the Philadelphia Eagles, filled with controversies mainly centering on Donovan McNabb.

After McNabb missed two games and most of a third with a sprained right knee, a follow up on his 2006 injury, backup A.J. Feeley came in and nearly handed the New England Patriots their first loss.

By the time the Eagles came back to Philadelphia to play the Seattle Seahawks, there was already talk of Feeley taking over McNabb's starting position, at least for the rest of the season. Nothing came of that.

But this was only one of many controversies stemming from McNabb, perhaps the last thing on everyone's mind entering this offseason. Fans and sports radio in particular constantly antagonize McNabb.

First and foremost there was a quote reported live during a Eangles vs. Cowboys game.

According to Pam Oliver, sideline reporter for FOX, Donovan McNabb among other things, said, that he "seems to believe his days in Philadelphia are numbered," and that, "he sees an organization distancing itself from him."

In fact, according to Oliver, McNabb said point-blank, "My knee is not an issue. The next place I go, I will win."

After the game, when asked about the statements made by Oliver, McNabb denied saying anything of that caliber.

"I don't feel that way," McNabb said. "I've said I want to be here eight more, nine more years, if that's possible. We'll see."

Pam Oliver, in the aftermath, said, "I'm a little shocked and dumbfounded that it has all been denied."

Listening to sports radio the next day revealed what I had suspected all along. For the most part, Philadelphia fans once more distanced themselves from McNabb — by siding with Pam Oliver.

Then there was the comment on racism. McNabb said in an interview on HBO that white quarterbacks "don't get criticized as much as we do." While I don't think that comment sounded whiny, and definitely not defiant, it sparked another mini controversy.

But what happened next was even more interesting.

When peppered by questions from reporters the next day concerning the comment, McNabb said, "Did I expect any backlash? Yeah. Anything I say, I expect backlash from it."

That's true. I can't blame him for saying that.

Aside from that, McNabb has mainly expressed the team's need for a good offensive weapon, a statement that was repeated by Brian Westbrook and Brian Dawkins. Even many fans couldn't find anything wrong with that.

In retrospect, the question must arise: Are McNabb's comments a distraction to his teammates? It is certainly possible, but if so it would be a small one.

Philadelphia fans account for much of the pressure put on McNabb due to his comments. If anything were impeding the team's play, it would be because of the pressure put on McNabb. I think that at least some of that pressure is out of place.

Where would the Eagles be without McNabb? His career numbers show that he is certainly among the elite few in the league. While he is not Peyton Manning or Tom Brady caliber, his numbers do show that while he is healthy, he is a big offensive threat.

One example would be 2004, when the Eagles went to the Super Bowl and lost a close three-point game to the New England Patriots. Or the three seasons before that when the Eagles played in the NFC Championship every year.

Besides, look how well McNabb did with a great receiver like T.O.? It's high time the Eagles organization listened to his requests for a wide receiver.

Perhaps then McNabb breaks through once again and the Eagles franchise is restored to previous greatness. It is certainly not a far shot.

And anyway, without McNabb, the Eagles wouldn't have any other quarterback to go to. A.J. Feeley is aging and inconsistent. The new guy, Kevin Kolb, has great potential, but the Eagles organization feel he is not yet ready to start.

Finally, the question remains: Does McNabb deserve all the heat that he is receiving from fed up Eagles fans? I think not. And hopefully with a healthy 2008 campaign, he can prove himself as a great quarterback once more.