On offense, two players stand head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to leadership.
Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook are undoubtedly the two leaders on that side of the ball.
McNabb is the team’s starting quarterback and has been for the last decade. This year, he will get the chance to mold his new receivers and the rest of this young offensive squad.
One of his first moves will be bringing last year’s skill position players, along with this year’s draft picks — Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy and Cornelius Ingram — to Arizona for his yearly week of offseason workouts. He’ll be able to let these youngsters know how high the bar is set for this football team and also find out what their strengths and weaknesses are.
McNabb is eager to get on the same page with the younger players because he knows that the advancement of Maclin, Ingram and especially DeSean Jackson could pave the way for a big year by the offense — and the team.
Playing more of a behind-the-scenes role, Westbrook remains the team’s most popular player in the locker room. He’s still looked at as a blue-collar worker since he wasn’t a high draft pick and he was able to wrestle a big contract from the front office despite their reluctance. When the team is in dire straits, Westbrook steps to the forefront and takes over as a vocal leader.
The Birds could also use one or two members of the offensive line to assume more of a leadership role, but that will happen naturally and gradually. I could see Todd Herremans, Jamaal Jackson or Stacy Andrews playing the part.
I was impressed by the overall football intelligence and understanding of new fullback Leonard Weaver. He seems to be a level-headed veteran who will be a steadying force on the football team.
There’s no doubt that Reid and company will miss the calming influence of Dawkins, Thomas and Runyan, but between Mikell, Bradley, McNabb and Westbrook, they’ve got more than enough leaders ready to step up.
