Set McNabb Free?

Who's word would you rather take, Skip Bayless' about Eagles fans not deserving Donavon McNabb, or Brett Favre's about returning for three more seasons? It's probably a wash, but at least Favre is actually connected to the story.

On ESPN's FirstTake on ESPN2 this morning, Bayless argued that Eagles fans have never appreciated and respected Donavon McNabb ever since he was booed on draft day. He also didn't fail to mention McNabb's fantastic resume of 5 NFC Championships and a Super Bowl appearance. Well you know what Skip? The biggest reason why we've never "appreciated and respected" number 5 is because he only won the NFC Championship once and then crapped his pants and literally puked during crunch time in Super Bowl. And don't make the bullcrap argument that the Eagles' 2004 playoff run to the Super Bowl solely resulted from the great talent around McNabb, mainly in Terrell Owens. Well here's my counter: Owens was sleeping in his hyperbaric chamber during the team's push through to the NFC Championship. Donavon made it to the Super Bowl with bums like Greg Lewis, Todd Pinkston and the king of bums himself, Freddie "FredEx" Mitchell. McNabb and Brian Westbrook put the offense on their backs while Brian Dawkins anchored the D, and fought for a Super Bowl berth. Owens returned from injury to play in the Super Bowl and even posted extremely impressive stats of 9 rec and 122 yds. McNabb had the weapons to win, had Andy Reid and his coaching staff's arguably best coaching season ever during his tenure in Philly, and he even had a top 5 ranked defense in the entire league that season. But, he didn't have the cahones to win the big one.

I'm not saying that Donavon McNabb is not a talented quarterback. I'm not saying he isn't a top 5 talent in the league today. I'm not even saying I would want Kevin Kolb or Michael Vick to start over him either. What I am saying is that McNabb has been here for 10 seasons already. And Eagles' fans wanting him to be traded is as unsurprising as Ricky Martin's coming out of the closet. The bottom line is that the Eagles have never won a Super Bowl and boast on of the rowdiest and most passionate fan bases in all of professional sports. If the fans want change how can u not listen to them? And if you have two seemingly stellar back up quarterbacks why not at least entertain trade talks? If McNabb was dealt to the Oakland Raiders before his May roster bonus is due and the Eagles are ultimately led to a 10-6 record and a one-win postseason by Kolb, Vick, or some other QB, can you really argue that McNabb would have had a phenomenal season because he was in a contract year? Or that he would have given the team more reason to resign him after the 2010 season and his contract ends?

At this point its almost better to part ways now and get something in return than lose a franchise quarterback and have to turn to an unprepared backup to run a NFL team. McNabb sure has the talent to be a winner, but it hasn't resulted in championship rings and parades down South Street. Now you kinda don't want Favre to return to the Vikings so that the guy, who we've trashed and almost hated for the past 10 seasons, can go to a team that he wants to play for and has a chance to be a contender. McNabb's a talent, but it would be in his, Andy Reid's, and GM Howie Roseman's best interest to send number 5's, game, statistics, Campbell's soup and Momma somewhere else.

Grand Opening

Welcome to the first ever Fisch's Philly Sportsline column. Fittingly so, we officially open in the midst of a hopping spring training for the Phillies down in Clearwater. However dreamy the city's name may sound, there are many situations, such as roster-cuts and player roles, that are extremely unclear. The 5th starter race is still as wide open Charlie Manuel's mouth during last year's World Series. Jamie "Father Time" Moyer and Kyle Kendrick (shunned from the big leagues in 2008) continue to be the frontrunners for the position. Placido Palanco's transition form second to third base seemed to be going rather smoothly until Palanco did his best Blake Griffen impersonation and strained his knee on a routine fly ball. Cole Hamels' spring dominance has been reassuring for Phils fans but has also set expectations for this upcoming summer, and more importantly october, extremely high. But overall, the biggest question during the 2009 postseason was and still is the bullpen. Anchored by last season's "Light's on" Brad Lidge, the pen is filled with inconsistency and inexperience. However, there is still room for optimism. Lidge is now coming off reconstructive elbow and knee surgery and is believed to be rehabbing with a vengeance with the memory of Johnny Damon's double-steal burned in his brain. In order for the Phils to boast an NL Champ 3-peat and raise another World Series Championship flag out in centerfield, Lidge needs to return to hs 2008 form. Asking for another perfect season isn't exactly ideal, but begging a closer with a 90% save conversion rate needs rise from the ashes of what was Lidge's torn elbow and almost shattered knee. J.C. Romero is also coming off an elbow surgery of his own, and and Antonio Bastardo as well as Ryan Madeson are poised for an important middle/one out relievers.

If the beginning and middle of the lineup stay healthy and consistent, managerially, executively, competitively, and weather permitting, the Phils should be poised for another deep postseason run. At the end of the day, an NL East championship and National League pennant championship as well should be well within the reach of these phightens!