You can say this is expected or not expected and be right either way. How will it all play out is the big question. Months after leading the Eagles back from the murky depths of the Skuykill River and into the NFC Championship game, Donovan McNabb was rewarded with a 2 yr./24.5 million dollar contract (5.3 million dollar raise). The deal was restructured from his previous contract and depending on his play, could (and should) be extended. He’s the best quarterback the Eagles have ever had and the Eagles have been one of the best teams in the NFL during his tenure. His play speaks for itself and he’s led the Eagles to five (1-4) NFC Championship games despite sub par talent on the offensive side of the ball. He was scheduled to make 9.2 million this year and 10 the next. There’s also another 1 million in incentives in the new deal. You would think a player of his caliber would be a lot more celebrated in a town he’s led to the playoffs 7 of his 11 years, but hey, it’s Philly. They can’t get right. His 29,320 passing yards and 194 touchdown passes are franchise bests. He also is third active in wins and has the best touchdown to interception ratio in NFL history. With the addition of LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin through the draft to add crucial depth to the backfield and receiver corps and also Jason Peters and Leonard Weaver via free agency, the Eagles should contend for the NFC title. Balance is the key for the Eagles offense and it might all come down to Maclin. Don’t wanna put pressure on the young fella that he can’t handle, but if he approaches anything close to what DeSean Jackson put up last season, the Eagles will be scary. Donovan will be expected to provide more leadership after Eagles legend Brian Dawkins was allowed to sign with Denver. This was definitely an emotional offseason as a result. Frankly, I’m shocked. In a town where McNabb is considered an also ran outside of the Lincoln Financial Field faithful, a McNabb trade is something that probably would have occured in years past. There is the Westbrook foot injury concern, but hopefully Brian will come back full strength in a season that is huge for the Philadelphia Eagles organization. Send to Facebook