Dropping Donovan McNabb won't solve the Philadelphia Eagles' problems.
Coach Andy Reid is more responsible for the team's decline than the quarterback. Reid has compiled an impressive resume in his 10 seasons as coach, turning a franchise that was a laughingstock when he took over into one of the elite teams in the NFL. He's guided the Eagles to six playoff appearances, five division titles, four trips to the NFC championship game and one Super Bowl.
But the Eagles, at 5-5 with one tie, are on the verge of their third last-place finish since falling three points short against New England in the 2005 Super Bowl. Reid deserves most of the blame instead of McNabb, who played hurt or was out all together in three of those seasons.
Reid is the one making the important decisions. As executive vice president of football operations, he has final say on personnel matters. The group he's put together simply isn't good enough to compete for a championship.
The Eagles need an overhaul, and getting rid of McNabb is an easy move that says "we're changing direction." But it's not the answer.
McNabb has been awful recently _ and that obviously played into Reid's decision to sideline a guy who has been to five Pro Bowls at halftime of Sunday's 36-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Putting Kevin Kolb in at quarterback against a tough Ravens defense, however, wasn't a wise decision _ especially when the Eagles desperately needed to win to maintain their slim playoff hopes. The Eagles trailed only 10-7 at the time and McNabb gave them a better chance to win. Kolb had thrown only nine career passes, so it shouldn't be a surprise that he struggled badly. Kolb was 10-for-23 for 73 yards and two interceptions, including one returned an NFL-record 108 yards for a touchdown.
McNabb will be starting again in Thursday's game against the Arizona Cardinals.
On the interception returned for touchdown, Kolb made a terrible decision to throw into coverage. But the play itself should've never been called. A quarterback sneak could've netted the two feet needed for a touchdown. Any running play would've been a safer bet.
That was yet another example of the Eagles' questionable play calling..
It could've been offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg who chose that play, but Reid won't say who makes the calls anymore. No matter, the offense is way too reliant on the pass and that's hurt McNabb and the team's overall production. The Eagles have passed unsuccessfully instead of tried to run on their last four third-and-1 situations.
Opposing defenses, television analysts, even reporters watching from the press box are predicting some plays before the Eagles run them. It shouldn't be that easy to read.
"It's obvious that everybody, starting with me, needs to pick up their game," Reid said after Sunday's debacle. "When you get beat up like we did, that's a head coaching problem right there, and a direct reflection of the job that I'm doing. It's unacceptable. I need to make sure that I get this changed and get an answer."
Reid, who endured a family crisis last year when his sons got arrested on drug charges, points the finger at himself after every loss. He always says he needs to put players "in a better position" to succeed. Well, it's not happening. They're not responding.
It wouldn't be surprising if owner Jeffrey Lurie or president Joe Banner put the heat on Reid. Ten years with one team is an eternity in the NFL. At some point, players stop getting the message and organizations get tired of waiting to raise the Lombardi Trophy.
Still, no one in the locker room has a bad word to say about the head coach.
The Eagles can show they know how to win by keeping McNabb, however unlikely that seems right now (he's signed through 2013 and due to earn $9.2 million in base salary in '09).
Why is that a smart move?
For one thing, there's no guarantee Kolb will be an adequate replacement. Successful quarterbacks are even harder to find than successful head coaches.
McNabb turned 32 on Tuesday. Considering what Brett Favre, Kurt Warner and Kerry Collins are doing in their late 30s, he's far from too old. Despite his recent struggles, McNabb's skills haven't completely eroded. But he needs a better supporting cast. Reid hasn't been able to surround him with more talent. His draft record in early rounds is subpar.
The Eagles can't afford more of these blunders in the future, especially if they're in rebuilding mode.
