Eagles Country -- I was on Garry Cobb's website (Gcobb.com) and I was listening to one of his daily Podcasts. On that podcast he brought up something that chilled me to the core. That this season for the
Philadelphia Eagles may perhaps be the end of an era in Philadelphia.
Each season the birds could count on four players without question. Since the beginning of the new millennium Andy Reid's players who have anchored this team have been obviously
Donovan McNabb, along with
Jon Runyan and William "Tra" Thomas on offense. Then there has always been
Brian Dawkins holding down the defense. Now the way that this team has counted on for so many seasons may be heading into its final NFL season here in Philadelphia.
First off let's begin with the leader of this team, and regardless of what so many pessimistic bird fans say, this guy is the leader of this offense. I am talking about the one and only
Donovan McNabb. Who in my opinion is a huge part of why the Eagles have enjoyed the amount of success that they have.
What success if they haven't won the big game you might ask? Well for starters they have only missed the playoffs twice since 2000. Under the Reid/McNabb era they won five NFC East titles and went to four straight NFC Championship games, three of those games were hosted by the Eagles. Including the last game, which they won against the Falcons, allowing them a place in super bowl XXXIX.
Sure this team hasn't won it all yet. But if you don't consider what this Eagles era has accomplished a success. Then you simply don't know the game of football. And if you think for a second that they could have done it without McNabb then please check yourself into rehab, because you may be hooked on crack.
The fact that
Donovan McNabb may be looking at the end of his career here in Philadelphia really depresses me. Maybe a part of me doesn't even want to write this blog. But even for a die-hard Five fan like myself I have to acknowledge the writing that is on the wall.
First off Donovan hasn't appeared in a playoff game since 2004. We all know the reasons why and I for one believe it is just a matter of time before he leads this team back into the Super Bowl. But the front office sees this as a business and has to move forward as if it were a business.
They have yet to offer Donovan an extension, which would keep him in midnight green until he retires. There were whispers in 2006 that the front office and
Donovan McNabb were working on that deal that would keep him here. But Donovan got injured and they then drafted his eventual successor when they took
Kevin Kolb in the second round of the 2007 draft. All these signs lead me to believe that the Eagles front office are planning for a post McNabb era sooner rather than later.
Now Donovan isn't the only anchor on offense. And I know you're thinking "What about B-West?" But I see
Brian Westbrook continuing his career with the birds after this season.
There are however two guys on offense who like Donovan may be on the way out. Tra Thomas and
Jon Runyan, both are top offensive tackles, both are among the best there are in the league and both are approaching their mid-thirties. And usually this team tries their damn best to dispose of players in or around their mid-thirties.
As shocking as the Donovan leaving on the offensive side of the ball
Brian Dawkins departure would hit this team just as hard on the defensive side.
Brian Dawkins has had a few seasons that have been questionable. Last season he was barely on the field at all. If Brian has another season where he is injured more than he is on the field. Then look for the eagles to try and find his replacement.
As bad as this sounds for Eagles fans that have supported Donovan, Runyan and B-Dawk, this doesn't have to be written in stone. As we all know the NFL runs by the old saying "what have you done for me lately?" And if Donovan has a year again like he has in 2004. Then talks of this team replacing him will fade away faster than
Tony Romo's talent does when Jessica is in the building.
This Eagles defense looks as good as it's ever been under Andy Reid. The question going into training camp will continue to be the offense. Now we have Donovan and
Brian Westbrook. But they cannot do it alone, there needs to be a player who shines this season who doesn't wear five of thirty-six.
Perhaps Kevin Curtis can continue to make progress. Maybe L.J. Smith will want to prove he's worth that big contract and play beyond what we have known him to do. Or maybe, just maybe the knew kid Desean Jackson wants to prove he should have been given more respect during the draft and he comes out of the gates with a chip on his shoulder.
Or maybe there is still a slim chance that they will make a move for someone who is a proven playmaker. We won't know until they play the Rams in the start of the new season.