Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles / Image: Zuma Press

What’s even more interesting about Michael’s return is the state of the quarterback situation in Philly. Starter Donovan McNabb is nursing a broken rib and the team signed Jeff Garcia as a backup. With Kevin Kolb expected to start this weekend against New Orleans, there’s plenty of ammo for a full blown quarterback controversy before too long.

Source: PhiladelphiaEagles.com

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Michael Vick Added to Eagles Roster

Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles / Image: Zuma Press

Donovan is currently listed as doubtful for next Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints. But apparently the ultimate determining factor will be if and to what degree Donovan can tolerate the pain. If he can suck it up, he might just play. If not, expect to see backup QB Kevin Kolb. Keep in mind that Michael Vick only has one more week to serve his suspension, so don’t expect to see Donovan out for more than a week—if that.

Sources: PhiladelphiaEagles.com, Philly.com

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Donovan McNabb Injured in Eagles Win

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Fitzgerald, McNabb IHOP Commercials

Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles / Image: Zuma Press

Source: Washington Post

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Six Plays For Michael Vick in Eagles Debut

Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles / Photo: Newscom

This is all very encouraging to Eagles fans, but Michael still needs to get into football shape—which is a world away from merely throwing balls in practice. And when the regular season comes (and when Commissioner Roger Goodell has deemed him eligible), the number of plays he will run as a quarterback in the Eagles offense will be few and far between. Head coach Andy Reid continues to push Michael as a quarterback (after all, he does understand the foundation of the Eagles offense), but we all know the team will find a different role for him—if even on a limited basis—as long as Donovan stays healthy.

Sources: NFL.com, PhiladelphiaEagles.com

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Michael Vick Practices With Eagles

Michael Vick signs with Philadelphia Eagles / Photo: Newscom

This is a surprising and interesting addition for the Eagles. Especially when you consider the team’s current quarterback situation. Donovan McNabb is supposed to make $11.2 million next season. That includes a $6.2 million (guaranteed) roster bonus.  So, I’m wondering what the Eagles have planned for Michael? My guess is he’ll work his way into a backup role should the Eagles need him at QB. Otherwise, look for a certainly rusty Michael Vick to learn a variety of new positions in what has the potential to be a very creative and dangerous Eagles offense. It’s going to be a very interesting season in Philly.

Source: NFL.com

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Michael Vick to Philadelphia Eagles

Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles / Image: Zuma Press

Apparently, the Eagles were negotiating with Donovan on a contract extension, but ended up reworking the final two years to better numbers. The new contract still expires in 2010, though, so there really isn’t any commitment from the team to keep Donovan around longer than that. At 32-years-old, I get that, but the entire league would be hard-pressed to find a better QB.

The team will hold a morning presser today, but head coach Andy Reid had an immediate statement:

“The Philadelphia Eagles organization and the entire city of Philadelphia are fortunate to have a quarterback the caliber of Donovan McNabb. He has proven himself to be a talented player on the field, a caring member of the Philadelphia community, and a winner.”

All of that is true. Donovan McNabb is the face of this organization and one of the classiest guys in the NFL. Not to mention one of its best quarterbacks. And despite his relatively low completion percentage (comparatively speaking—with the rest of the league—at 58.9%), he doesn’t throw many interceptions. In fact, he has the lowest INT percentage in the history of the NFL. Donovan is a five-time Pro Bowler and the Eagles’ all-time leader in passing yards, touchdown passes, attempts, and completions. He also led the team to more regular season victories and playoff appearances than any other quarterback in team history.

Without a Super Bowl ring, I can’t say that Donovan McNabb is one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks. But he is certainly in the upper echelon. And worthy of the raise.

Sources: PhiladelphiaEagles.com, CSNPhilly.com

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Donovan McNabb Gets New Contract

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

It wasn’t Donovan McNabb’s best game. But he did enough (22-of-40, 217 yards passing and two touchdowns — one running, one throwing) to help the Philadelphia Eagles beat the N.Y. Giants 23-11 in an NFC Divisional Playoff game this afternoon. Donovan has shouldered more than his fair share of criticism over his career (most of it unjustified), but he doesn’t need to carry all the Eagles’ playoff burdens around with him. He is the leader, though. And by his example, the team has bonded and discovered a chemistry that finds them somehow on the verge of a Super Bowl berth:

“It was great out there, coming off the field and seeing all of those Eagles fans cheering for us. We’ve worked hard to get to this point. We’ve all hung in there together. No doubt the chemistry in the locker room is as good as it has ever been. I think the big thing is that we’re all enjoying this, having fun out there and we’re trusting in each other. When you have that kind of feeling among all 53 players in the locker room, it’s tough to overcome that. It’s tough to beat that feeling.”

It’s tough to beat all right. The way the Eagles are playing right now, I’m not sure they can be beat. When Donovan McNabb is healthy, he is one of the league’s best quarterbacks. And he’s healthy right now. Combine that with a defense that is giving up just 12.5 ppg this postseason and you’ve got a recipe for winning football games.

We all know the story of how Donovan was benched earlier this season during a lackluster performance against the Baltimore Ravens. And how he and the Eagles have stormed into and (so far) through the playoffs since. The Eagles look like a different team and Donovan looks like a different quarterback. Donovan won’t admit that the benching did him any good. He doesn’t feel it was justified (and won’t let us forget about it) and neither do I. Now, I’m not questioning head coach Andy Reid’s motivation or instinct in that situation. Obviously he saw something that caused him to react that way. Whether it was a message to Donovan or a message to the rest of the team that no one player is bigger than the whole unit, it worked.

I have to admit. Donovan McNabb is one resilient dude. Any NFL quarterback is going to take more than his fair share of abuse, but what Donovan has endured has been above and beyond. Through it all, he has handled himself with great poise and class and I do admire him for that. He seems to be having more fun that at any other time in his career and even if the Eagles don’t get past the Arizona Cardinals and into Super Bowl XLIII, he has already proven that he is as much a winner as any NFL quarterback I’ve ever seen.

Source: PhiladelphiaEagles.com, Photo: Newscom

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Donovan McNabb, Eagles Have Chemistry

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

When you play the Minnesota Vikings, you’d better be prepared to throw the football. The Vikes had the NFL’s best run defense this season and even without All-Pro, run-stuffing tackle Pat Williams, they kept the Philadelphia Eagles’ ground game in-check (67 yards) this afternoon in a 26-14 NFC Wild Card loss. That total included a meager 38 yards on 20 carries by RB Brian Westbrook. But all Brian needed was one touch to make the difference in this one. He broke open a 16-14 game by taking a screen pass from quarterback Donovan McNabb 71 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Brian finished with 121 yards from scrimmage to go along with his TD. Of course, Donovan knew what to expect from his teammate:

“Anytime you get an opportunity to give the ball to a guy like Westbrook, give him an opportunity in space or against any other defenders, you feel confident about that matchup.”

It’s not like the Vikings weren’t prepared for this. Every NFL team knows Brian Westbrook is one of the most dangerous and explosive players in the league. He’s proven it year after year. And the focus of any opposing team’s game plan is to account for him at all times. The Vikings certainly did. The problem is, you might keep him down for a while, but it only takes one play to make the difference in a game. His 71-yard catch and run today was a perfect example. The Eagles’ defense played well, especially in the second half. And Donovan was sharp for most of the game. But Brian is the main reason why the Eagles are moving on to the Divisional round of the NFC Playoffs.

Source: NFL.com

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One Play From Brian Westbrook

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Forget seconds. How about thirds? That’s the appetizer on the National Football League Thanksgiving menu this Week 13 of the NFL season — three Turkey Day servings of football, followed by a whole lineup of games on Thanksgiving Sunday and Monday. Even the players will be in their easy chairs. Like Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning:

“I remember watching Thanksgiving games as a kid. Even in high school and college, and now in the NFL, you practice, you come home and you watch Thanksgiving football.”

Football has been a part of my Thanksgiving Day for as long as I can remember. Whether I’m relaxing with my family at the Outer Banks of North Carolina or home for the holidays in snowy Pennsylvania (like this year), you can bet we’ll have all three games on — even if in the background during dinner. Thanksgiving Day has always been about family, food and football. I wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving. Here’s what’s on the pigskin platter:

TENNESSEE TITANS at DETROIT LIONS (CBS, 12:30 PM ET): Fans will see two of the top rookie rushers in the league in Tennessee’s Chris Johnson (second among rookie RBs with 833 yards) and Detroit’s Kevin Smith (fourth with 599 yards). Kevin has consecutive games of 96, 112 and 86 yards. The 10-1 Titans are smarting from their first loss to the Jets last week. “It was a great run,” says Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher. “We’ve got to win our next game.” With a win and an Indianapolis loss, the Titans take the AFC South.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS at DALLAS COWBOYS (FOX, 4:15 PM ET): The final Thanksgiving game in Texas Stadium, where some of the most memorable NFL games on the holiday have been played (Cowboys Thanksgiving record in the stadium: 21-14). The Cowboys look like they’ve regained their early-season swagger. The Seahawks will have to bottle up receiver Terrell Owens, who comes off his second-best career yardage day — 213 yards on seven catches. “He’s still got it,” says Cowboys QB Tony Romo. Whatever.

ARIZONA CARDINALS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (NFL Network, 8:00 PM ET): The QBs are riled! And that’s not good for the DBs. The Cards’ Kurt Warner, after Arizona lost to the Giants on Sunday, says, “We can play with anybody if we eliminate the mistakes.” A win and the Cards capture the NFC West. QB Donovan McNabb, benched for the first time in his career Sunday, is still the starter for Philly. “Sometimes you have to step back to step forward in a positive way, and Donovan will do that,” says Eagles coach Andy Reid.

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NFL Thanksgiving 2008