For Eagles, do not judge McNabb deal by 2010 alone

Other than perhaps Donovan McNabb's mother, his most ardent supporters and some head in the sand fan who bought an Eagles No.5 jersey just a week ago, nobody could be shocked that Philly's long time QB was sent packing. The real shock waves had to do with the destination, but it had become apparent that the Eagles were ready to move on and...well rebuild is too strong of a sentiment, but how about reload or retool. Guess what, they are right.

I've been studying the NFL Draft for several months now and it has become quite apparent that even though the Eagles are a perennial playoff contender, they are in a transition stage. They have several holes to fill. That in it of itself makes them no different than every team in the league, but not that many true contenders need immediate help at sooooo many positions all at once. Cornerback, safety, linebackers (yes, plural), defensive end, interior offensive line, all of these are problem areas for the Eagles one way or another. Again, other playoff caliber teams have areas where they have their fingers in the roster dyke, but those issues are absorbed or at least blunted by the areas of strength they can fallback on. Other than the passing game, what part of the Eagles would you consider a strength? The pass rush is lacking. The vaunted offensive line did not live up to the hype. The secondary has been the same since Brian Dawkins was cut loose. And even if LeSean McCoy becomes a quality starter, hard to imagine he will be as dynamic as the man he is replacing, Brian Westbrook.

That is where Kevin Kolb comes in. The three-year veteran showed last year in spot duty that he is no tackling dummy, posting consecutive 300-yard passing days while subbing for an injured McNabb, so whatever drop off takes place it will not be cataclysmic. After learning his craft behind the 33-year old McNabb, who for all his value as a QB is not the accurate passer that his replacement appears to be, Kolb is ready to step in and run the show (fantasy owners take note, Kolb may very well be a legit low-end QB1 come draft day). Perhaps as important, the current design of the overall roster is ready for him as well.

For a team that has seemingly been in the playoff hunt for much of the last decade, it is surprising to realize how many contributing young players already litter the roster. While experienced players like 12-year veteran kicker David Akers, CB Asante Samuel and QB Michael Vick are on the roster, only seven players on the entire roster have at seven NFL seasons under their belt and only three are 10+ year vets. Like Kolb, TE Brent Celek is entering his fourth season. Play-making dynamo DeSean Jackson will be starting his third pro campaign while Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy will hope to be even bigger factors in their sophomore seasons. Youth is also being served along the offensive line and throughout the defense. Plus, they have three picks in the top 55 selections in the upcoming NFL draft so even more young talent will be coming on board, which could hasten the departure of Samuel and 12-year vet LB Jeremiah Trotter. In other words, while the Eagles are still trying to make a deep run into the playoffs, they are setting themselves up to do that for years to come. .

Now Kolb, who apparently said he would not talk of extending his stay in Philly without getting the starting gig, gets to grow with the young squad. He now gets a chance to spread his leadership wings on a team with players of comparable age and the others on the 53-man roster do not have to play under the burdens of the past (well, as much as the Philly fan base will allow) and feel like they are caddying for an aging QB with a lot of baggage that comes with him. Change comes, always does, and yet sometimes it takes a true shock to the system to realize it. Dealing away McNabb was that hit in the head moment for the Eagles and their fan base, not a head scratcher.

To be clear, McNabb is far from done as a starting quarterback. He likely gets the short-term laugh as Kolb will surely have some on-the-field growing pains and the Redskins will improve off their horrid 4-12 record from a year ago with stability at signal caller. If McNabb leads the Redskins to the playoffs, especially at the Eagles expense, the Philly brass will be the butt of jokes from fans and the chattering class alike. As the saying goes, sometimes you have to take a step back to move two steps forward.

The Green Bay Packers were in this territory when they moved on from the iconic Brett Favre to the promising Aaron Rodgers. After on down season, they forged on and made the playoffs, becoming a dark horse contender in the process. Now they are poised to romp the NFC North for the foreseeable future with their young stud of a quarterback and have a shot with some luck to truly contend for the Super Bowl year after year. Kolb may not have the same ceiling as Rodgers, but the outlook for the Eagles franchise is quite similar; the future is both now and beyond.