McNabb getting vocal, and it's a good thing!

For the last decade, Donovan McNabb has been a company man. With the exception of his lobbying for Terrell Owens in Philadelphia and the plea for teammate Brian Westbrook's contract extension, McNabb has more often than not remained tight lipped as far as his input regarding the on field transactions of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Those days however, have come and gone. It will be almost a year since the Eagles drafted quarterback Kevin Kolb with their number one pick in the NFL draft, and it's safe to say that if Mcnabb didn't realize beforehand that he too was expendable in the Eagles future plans, chances are he realized it then.

That is why McNabb's comments on his blog on Monday asking the Eagles front office for the additions of playmakers on his team came as no surprise. McNabb cites the Patriots (the TRUE gold standard in the NFL despite their cheating ways) acquiring Randy Moss and former Eagle Donte Stallworth despite winning three Super Bowls over the last seven years. Number five also is careful not to slight the current players on the Eagles roster, citing that even he at times did not play up to his full capabilities during the 2007 season. McNabb is just stating the obvious: a team at 8-8 despite the team's strong finish, needs considerable improvement if it wants to even compete with the (gulp!) Cowboys and Packers let alone the Patriots and Colts of the far superior AFC.

Now granted, this is obviously not the first time Donovan McNabb has been in the center of controversy. This writer for one, is always on the fence regarding the play and choice of words of Mr. McNabb. Some instances he finds himself in are his fault (remember the "black on black crime" quote regarding TO), and some are not (Rush Limbaugh). Whether you like or dislike him, it is almost impossible to argue with McNabb or find any fault with him in this situation. His comments are what you would expect from an aging quarterback whose time is expiring in Philadelphia and possibly his career. Truth be told, this should have been done in 2007 when it was obvious to all that McNabb was far from 100% during the first half of the season. While still effective as an NFL quarterback, McNabb is more on the downside of his career than the upside.

With or without Donovan McNabb, the Eagles will probably win a Super Bowl one day. Before you run him out of town however, you must give credit where credit is due. There will probably never be another quarterback in the history of the franchise who takes his team to four consecutive NFC Championship games. And despite reports of his discontent with Philadelphia, one gets the feeling that if 2008 is indeed his last season in Philadelphia, McNabb wants to go out a winner with the team he started with.

For a man who doesn't seem to always say the right things at the right time, Donovan McNabb should be applauded for his candor regarding the fate of his football team. A team that this city has lived and died with more than any other team in this city for the last 75 years. If our beloved billionaire owners have a problem with this, that's too damn bad. Go to your penthouses and cry in your caviar. Enough is enough. We're the one's who took out second mortgages on our homes to go to The Super Bowl. That HAS to account for something eventually.

Congratulations Donovan. You spoke your mind, and for once, we love it! If only other Philadelphia athletes were as honest and straightforward when speaking of their teams. For the record we DO agree. The whole city agrees. And most importantly, every Disgruntled Fan agrees!