Quarterback Offseason Analysis

Let's get it out of the way, the part of the team that gets all of the focus at all times is of course the Quarterback and with Donovan McNabb as our Quarterback that couldn't be more true.

I underestimated the real impact that McNabb's 2006 torn ACL really would have on his play this season. Once the news started coming out throughout the offseason that McNabb was getting back on the field, he worked his way through training camp, on and on, I had full confidence that he really was going to be able to overcome any struggles his return might bring him. In one sense he did do just that, McNabb did not miss a game due to his previous ACL injury all season, but along with that throughout the beginning of the season he was just not the same player.

As much as it was talked about, the mental aspect of returning from such a serious injury, I still felt that McNabb had enough will power and determination from recovering from previous injuries that it wasn't going to be a problem. My thinking on that subject is exactly what I think McNabb himself fell victim to. As much as it was a priority to ignore the wariness of re-injuring the knee that he worked so hard to get back to normal, there is a really uncontrollable mental awareness of that status of that knee all season and protecting it from being injured.

Yet again we saw that McNabb was unable to complete a 16 game season, building upon the last 2 years he went from finishing 9 games in 2005, to 10 in 2006, and then 14 this time around. An improvement nonetheless but those 2 games missed this year were due to minor but annoying ankle and hand injuries that did halt McNabb's performance enough he had to sit out of the line up.

Fortunately unlike the previous two seasons McNabb did not end Week 17 on injured reserve, in fact he finished out this season better than any year since 2004. We haven't seen Donovan play that well in December, let alone play at all in December, for quite some time and during the final 3 games of the season especially things really got on a roll. McNabb combined for 5 touchdowns, 1 interception, 816 yards, and even 90 rushing yards during the last 3 wins over the Cowboys, Saints, and Bills.

Nothing was perfect of course but the biggest improvement we saw seemed to derive from McNabb's confidence alone, he finally looked and felt comfortable back in the pocket and was able to adequately use his legs to make plays like he has done in the past. As good as that was to see, Donovan needs to make a valiant effort this season in getting the ball out of his hands so much quicker.

There is a huge element to this offense which puzzles me and I am unable to determine. When Donovan is sitting back in the pocket, pumping and pumping, looking left looking right, nevously moving around, is that his own hesitation or is there legitimately no recievers getting open? I will delve more into that issue when I cover the wide recievers position on this team but I am going to have to take a vote of confidence in Donovan and assume that the lack of playmakers, outside of Brian Westbrook, that he has available to him to utilize, is at fault in those situations.

I have not a doubt in my mind that it would be the biggest mistake this franchise has ever made in McNabb is shipped off to another city and I honestly don't think for one second that our front office is dumb enough to let that happen or think it's a proper solution. Regardless of what you want to say about Donovan, there are no better options either on his roster or available for us to pick up in the offseason, so suck it up.

McNabb is by far an adequate enough Quarterback, that if given the proper weapons for the first time in his entire career, could head a lethal offense. It really is out of McNabb's control at this point and it all is reliant upon Joe Banner and Andy Reid because those are the men responsible for giving Donovan the players that he needs to make things happen.

Extending beyond the starting position we are set with A.J. Feeley behind McNabb in the lineup, he stepped in to finishing up the Miami game with a win after McNabb got hurt and then lost consecutively to the Patriots and Seahawks but both, ridiculously marginal losses. I could harp on and on about how unacceptable his 8 interceptions in less than 3 games is, I mean that's more than Donovan threw in 14 games, but the fact that he kept us some competitive in those matchups seems to be enough to ask of a back-up Quarterback.

As for the man everyone loves to talk about, Kevin Kolb, I have nothing to say about him to be honest. We didn't see anything of him during the regular season, which was exactly what I expected and asked for. He is currently listed as the 2nd QB in our depth chart but that is no where set in stone, it was moreso set up in case the coaches decided to let him take a few snaps in the final game against Buffalo. But having not seen anything from the rookie, and not wanting to see anything outside of pre-season for at least 1 more season, I just know that the only position Kolb has a shot at is #2 QB, so hopefully no one gets too far ahead of themselves.

Offseason:
Nothing needs to be done at this position besides come into next season with a 100% healthy Donovan McNabb.