I think naming Michael Vick the starting QB for the Eagles was the right move. Most people think he was named the starting QB just because he had a very strong performance against the Packers and followed that up with another great performance against the Lions. While Vick’s play in both of those games was phenomenal and was definitely a factor in the Eagles decision, I think there’s more to this decision than what meets the eye.

There are three additional factors that I think contributed to this decision.

First, the Eagles offensive line. The Eagles offensive line has been riddled with injuries this season. Not only have the Eagles lost their starting fullback Leonard Weaver and center Jamaal Jackson, but Jason Peters, Nick Cole, and Todd Herremans are all playing banged up. Green Bay was able to bring pressure on virtually every down whether they were bringing just 4 men or 6 men. Andy Reid knows that with all the injuries to his offensive line, he needs a mobile quarterback so his team doesn’t give up 5-6 sacks per game. Michael Vick’s ability to avoid a 10 yards loss and pick up a 10 yard gain is uncanny. He does it multiple times in a game. I think it’s quite clear that the Eagles offensive line was the #1 motivating factor for this move.

Kevin Kolb is/was supposed to be the Eagles franchise quarterback. I don’t think they would just bench him for just one poor half of football unless there were other factors present. Another reason for the move is DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin standing behind Vick and voicing their wishes to Andy Reid that they want Vick as their QB. I don’t know if anyone else picked this up, but both Maclin and Jackson gave their TD balls to Vick after they scored in the Lions game.

Lastly, Andy Reid took a lot of heat for keeping Stewart Bradley in the Packers game after he suffered a concussion. Andy can now say that he’s making this move to protect his players.

What do you think were the motives behind the decision?

As I read articles like this one from Les Bowen as well as watch clips of NFL Live on ESPN, I’m tired off this meeting between McNabb and Banner/Reid being blown way out of proportion.  Everyone is reading way too much into this.

Here is what’s going on in my opinion: McNabb has two years left on his current contract, McNabb has stated that he wants to retire an Eagle, McNabb would like an extension that would pay him nicely and keep him in Philadelphia for the remainder of his career.  The Eagles are possibly using his age/injury history as leverage to give McNabb less money.  McNabb, upset with the way the front office is playing ball, decides to return the ball back to the front office’s court and uses his latest statements to give him the leverage in the contract negotiation.  McNabb is saying before he considers signing an extension, he wants to see how the Eagles improve the team.  If the Eagles don’t improve the team, McNabb will either demand a trade or not sign the extension and wait until he is a free agent in two years.

What I’m sick of is this “poor McNabb hasn’t gotten any weapons from the Eagles front office.”  Did the Eagles attempt to acquire Randy Moss last year?  Yes, but Moss took less money to stay with Brady.  Did the Eagles attempt to trade for Tony Gonzalez last year?  Yes.  They didn’t get him because the Chiefs would not listen to any offers.  Did the Eagles not draft DeSean Jackson, arguably the best rookie wide receiver out of the class of 2008?  Yes, he is amazing.  Why is he not being mentioned as a weapon for McNabb and why is the front office not getting any credit for drafting him?  Could the Eagles do more for the offense and McNabb?  Sure they can.  Last year, there were no premier WR free agents.  This year, they have a shot at acquiring T.J. Houshmandzadeh.  If that doesn’t work, they could attempt to trade one of their first-round picks for Anquan Boldin, but I’m sure the Cardinals would balk at any offer.  They would be stupid to trade Boldin when he’s locked into the best offense in the league for two more years.  As a last resort, the Eagles could get Marvin Harrison on the cheap to please McNabb, but I wouldn’t expect more than 40 receptions, 500 yards, and 4 TDs from the veteran.   At least it’s a band-aide solution for one to two years.

Bottom Line: Start recognizing the genious of the front office to go out and draft the best wide receiver in the 2008 draft class, DeSean Jackson!

I wish I could be saying the SUPER BOWL, but we all know what happened. I am feeling confident that the Eagles could win the Super Bowl in 51 weeks. It starts with guys like DeSean Jackson already getting ready for next season.  If you want to know the definition of work ethic, read this article.  If we have more guys that play with the heart of DeSean Jackson and Brian Dawkins, the Eagles will be Super Bowl Champions next season.

After that, there’s free agency, which we’ll be on top of like white on rice.  Then there’s things like the combine to keep us busy as we wait another 6 months.  And then there’s the big day: the NFL draft.   Will Brandon Pettigrew, Beanie Wells, or Knowshon Moreno be your next Eagle? We will see April 25.

Back to DeSean Jackson.  I’m feeling a 1,300 yard, 10 TD season next year.  That means trip to the Pro Bowl.  You know what that means?  A trip to Hawaii (Miami next year) and $45,000 in straight cash homey ($22,500 if the NFC comes up short).  You know what $45,000 could buy?  Half of Terrell Owen’s orange Range Rover!  Hopefully Reid doesn’t coach it next season because that would mean the Eagles would have lost in the NFC Championship (for the fifth time in a decade).  The coaching honors always go to the coach of the AFC/NFC runner up.

Yeah DeSean Jackson, you do that dance!

DeSean Jackson Quoteable:

The first two games of the season, when I posted back-to-back 100-yard receiving games, I’d have to say that was the defining moment of my rookie year.  Next season, I’d like more than 1,000 yards receiving, more than 60 catches, more than 10 touchdowns. That’s the ideal stuff, but it still takes you going out there and doing it.

I was the first one off the field after the Arizona game. It was hard watching another team celebrate.  And I only watched a little bit of the Super Bowl because I thought we should’ve been there. When Santonio Holmes made that catch in the endzone, the first thing going through my mind was that it should’ve been me.

Great moments in DeSean Jackson history: DeSean Jackson’s NFL Debut

First order of business: Get well Jim Johnson!  Jim was unfortunately diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in his spine.  The good news is that the treatment is going well and Jim and doctors remain optimistic.

If you’re a frequent reader of the site, you know that my bread and butter is covering free agent signings and the draft for all sports.  Before I get into some draft talk, I want to give you my quick thoughts on the Arizona game.

Great second half by the Eagles, but you can’t beat a team by playing 30 minutes in a 60 minute game.  After the miserable first half, I thought the game was all but over, but DeSean Jackson gave us hope by taking the lead 25-24 before the Cardinals milked the clock with a seven-minute drive to take back the lead.  As usual, Philly fans start the blame game.  Some people say it was Donovan’s fault for playing like crap in the first half, others want to blame the defense.  Still, some want to put the blame on Reid.  I say it’s no one on the Eagles sideline who is at fault.  I’ll give credit where credit is due.  The Cardinals are a great team.  They have an incredible veteran quarterback and the best wide receiver in the league: Larry Fitzgerald, who is only 25 years old and I can guarantee you that this will not be his last Super Bowl.  They also have a tremendous defense.  That secondary of theirs is up there with any secondary in the league.  They may have the best safety tandem next to Dawkins/Mikell with Adrian Wilson and Antrel Rolle.  With corners Rod Hood and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who is coming along as a rookie, that’s about as solid a secondary that you can ask for.  Well, enough about the Cardinals.  The point I am trying to make is the Eagles can compete next year with the team they have.  They aren’t “a player away” from being a Super Bowl team, but picking up a solid piece or two in the draft certainly won’t hurt.

OK, it’s time to talk draft.  Mel Kiper released his Mock Draft v. 1.0 and if that’s how the real draft ended up, I would be 100% satisfied.  If you missed it, Kiper has the Eagles taking Ohio State RB Chris “Beanie” Wells with the Eagles first, first-round pick and then just a few picks later, he has the Eagles going for OT Michael Oher.  That may be a bit generous, but I love it!  The Eagles need to get one amazing OT with one of their first two picks.  With the other, add an offensive weapon: a RB like Wells or a TE like Pettigrew.  The Pittsburgh RB, LeSean McCoy, would be a good pick too, but I would be thrilled to have Wells.

Wells is a hell of a back.  I thought he was overrated until I watched the Fiesta Bowl.  Wow!  And he fits the Eagles need for a big back.  The good news is that most teams needs at RB are set.  My boy, Knowshon Moreno, Kiper has going to the San Diego Chargers.  LT v. 2.0 would be a great pick for them.  I can’t wait to see where he goes.  Even better is that could set up the Eagles to take NFL Draft Countdown’s #1 RB in this year’s draft: Chris Wells.  Wells, at 237 lbs., is  a punishing back and he has some speed to boot.

I would also love it if Brandon Pettigrew, the Ohklahoma St. TE, would fall to the Eagles.  Most mock drafts have Pettirgrew going to the Bills at #11.  There’s a great chance of that happening, but if they pass, there’s a chance he may fall down the board since most teams after the Bills don’t have TE needs, but have other huge needs.

The bottom line: Wells would be sick.

Do you think he could be an Eagle?

Watching Material:

Andy Reid’s Play Chart REVEALED [The 700 Level] — My favorite: Greg Lewis (Token Catch).  Buckhalter (Let him on field 1-2 snaps).  Baskett (Fade, use sparingly).

Reid reamed out the team [Bleeding Green Nation]

“I guess he felt his normal mild-mannered self wasn’t working,” linebacker Omar Gaither said. “With Coach Reid, when the volume goes up and he starts turning red, you start paying a little more attention.”

Does Marty Mornhinweg sound frustrated to you? [Bleeding Green Nation]

Was five carries in the first half enough to justify the extent to which the Eagles abandoned the run in Cincinnati (18 runs, 60 called passes)?

“No,” Mornhinweg said. “You make a good point. You’re right. It’s not enough.”

Mornhinweg was asked if it would make sense to play Correll Buckhalter more, with Brian Westbrook banged up.

“You’re right,” he said. “It does make sense.”