Lost in all of the discussion about Donovan McNabb being traded to the Washington Redskins is the exact compensation the Eagles will receive. The Eagles get their second-round pick this year (#37) and next year’s fourth rounder that could become a third. Ok, so what’s it going to take to make that happen?
Well, as Adam Schefter explained today, it becomes a third-round pick if McNabb makes the Pro Bowl or if he participates in 70% of the snaps and the Redskins end up winning nine games.
So, it actually behooves the Eagles for Donovan to do well.
But here is what I don’t get about the Pro Bowl part and that I haven’t been able to find anywhere (tell me in the comments if you find out). Does he just have to be elected to the Pro Bowl? First team? Second team? Or what about if what happens next year is what happens every year, that a bunch of guys end up playing because the six guys ahead of them declined to play?
Regardless, the Eagles clearly will benefit if McNabb goes down there and plays well.
What we do know is now that Brown is gone, the only Eagles defensive back who isn’t allergic to making a tackle is Quintin Mikell. Good thing that’s not important in the NFL or anything.
And what happens if for some reason Washington trade him away next season?
Well..The Redskins are reportedly already working on a contract extension for McNabb, so theres that. Also, granted the Eagles have screwed the pooch when it comes to drafting defense, however their offensive picks have been exceptional. Just need to ascertain a legit pass rusher to compliment Cole, Free Safety and if at all possible, a LB.
Big E, I agree with you. I see our defense as soft. Think about it for a second, Jeremiah Trotter?? Trotter was brought in to “bring the hat.” Jeremiah Trotter! He was supposed to teach our defense how to hit. Does anyone on our D scare any offensive coordinators? And Dallas completely exposed Asante Samuels. They ran the ball at him, then hit him with the double move. He was defenseless time and time again. Also, I’m unsure of Ellis Hobbs’ level of play. He saw time, but not nearly enough to determine whether he can start a 16-game schedule again. Why was he played so sparingly, anyway? Of course, our linebacker situation, yet again, is questionable. And without the bltz, can we even breathe on opposing QBs (no disrespect to Cole, as he get’s doubled and tripled)? I beleive the offense will put up numbers. Kolb is certainly more accurate than McNabb, and if he’s given protection, I think he’ll be fine. On the other hand, if Reid throws 50-60 times a game, I don’t think any QB can last in this offense, and certainly not one of Kolb’s size. Up to this point, I haven’t seen the “escapability” that McNabb used to keep Reid employed all these years, but, again, we haven’t seen much of Kolb at all. Time will tell. Maybe he’s got the quickest read/release since Marino. I will say this, it’s obvious that a lot of people just don’t understand the game, because they’re saying Kolb is this or Kolb is that, and I wonder how they’ve arrived at those conclusions. The guy simply has not played. Personally, I can only rely on what Reid thinks, and he thinks Kolb is the guy. So, I hitch my wagon to him. One last thing, it’s said that Kolb has a great receiving corps. I have to somewhat disagree. While it’s certainly better that what Donovan had all those years, I believe we still need size on the outside. My guess is that it’s only a matter of time before DeSean Jackson gets hit “right.” Does anyone remember Anthony Carter from Michigan? Those two are about the same size. Carter came in an dazzled for a while, until he suffered that broken arm. It was ugly! 165 lbs. is really small! Besides, it’s easier for QBs to hit big targets, that’s one reason why TEs are so popular, and also why Arizona has had such success with their passing game. Last thing (for real). The league won’t “get a book” on Kolb until mid-season or so. So, I expect him to have early success, dip a bit, then start making a name for himself. Exactly what that name will be is yet a mystery.
Our secondary scares me. Does anybody else feel like we gave the Redskins a legitimate weapon, and after losing Brown that very weapon we gave them could be our downfall (or at the very least split the series)? The verdict still isn’t out on Hobbs. He’s been successful at being plugged in when needed, but i fear thats as far as his talents go. Samuel is a make or break corner. He doesn’t stack up well against physical receivers, ala Miles Austin, because he doesn’t tackle and the double move beats him half the time. This was evident last year especially against the Cowgirls.
I for one thought the Sheldon Brown trade was going to open the door to the “McNabb to Raiders” trade we all heard so much about. Now we’re left grasping at straws. Maybe 22 perks up a bit this year who knows, but even so..gaping hole now on the other side of the field. I think we’re just going to have to try and outscore teams to make up for what the D gives up this year. E. Hobbs and J. hanson are not the long term answer. Perhaps the revolving door moves from LB’s to CB’s this year.
BYOB, let’s see what they do with the draft and/or other free agents or trade in the secondary. It’s very unlikely that they will not add at least one serious piece to the secondary (if not 3 or 4) before training camp starts.