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.

Wow, a true a stunner. Not that long time Philadelphia Eagles QB Donovan McNabb was traded; it had become quite apparent that Andy Reid and the rest of the Eagles organization had come to terms with dealing McNabb, the rumors becoming more fast and furious over the last week or so. The shock was the destination, division rival Washington. Quick look at how this deal effects both squads, on the field, in the draft and for fantasy owners.

Washington - Here is the bottom line for the Redskins; In his return to coaching, Mike Shanahan did not want to wait on developing a quarterback, period. With McNabb in the fold, Shanahan now has a Pro Bowel caliber signal caller and the Redskins have their best QB in years. Is that enough of a reason to make the deal however. To me, McNabb is the best worst QB I've ever seen. He may have never won a Super Bowl and certainly McNabb had his low moments in the City of Brotherly Love, but he reached five NFC Championship games and played in one Super Bowl. He has thrown for 216 touchdowns over 11 seasons, including a combined 45 over the last two seasons, and played at a high level for much of that time.Yet I have never seen a QB not named Jamarcus Russell throw as many one-hoppers over the years as McNabb. His accuracy issues were overlooked back when he still had a lot of gas left in his legs, but his career 59 percent completion percentage is far from elite, especially when he no longer tucks the ball and takes off for big chunks on the ground.

Numbers are not everything and generally speaking, McNabb is a winner. His addition gives the Redskins a much better chance to succeed. Plus, I will give the Redskins brass this much; the NFL these days is about implementing a long term strategy to best compete in short term windows. In other words, a franchise needs to develop a consistent plan of attack when it comes to putting together their roster to give themselves the best chance of succeeding in a sport where rosters are often overhauled every three-to-five years due to salary cap restrictions (this season not withstanding) and the potential for short careers because of the physical nature of the sport.

The thing is, even with the short window approach, if you make a deal for a 33-year old QB like McNabb, you either currently have zero options (hence the Raiders reported interest) or you think you are a QB away from becoming a legit contender. With only two viable starters along the offensive line returning, uncertainty at wide receiver, three aged running backs to work with and a change in defensive schemes (in their case from a 4-3 to a 3-4), it is hard to see how the Redskins fit that profile. This is not the Vikings adding Brett Favre to an overall established roster led by Adrian Peterson, one of the top offensive lines and a ferocious defense wall.

In terms of fantasy, McNabb will have a chance to throw plenty in Shanahan's system. While he does not have the same explosive weapons as he did in Philly, Santana Moss can make plays from time to time and young receivers like Devin Thomas and Fred Davis showed promise toward the end of last season. If the Redskins make 1-2 legit additions across the offensive line to help McNabb stay upright - and they likely will take a tackle with the No. 4 overall pick - and someone from the Clinton Portis/Larry Johnson/Wilie Parker trifecta starts playing like its 2006, then McNabb has a legit shot at being a lower-end QB1. The Redskins have gotten a close look at the top QB prospects in this year's draft and they obviously were not enamored enough by any of them to throw their lot in with them, which seems to be a reasonable approach. As for last year's starter Jason Campbell, I have always felt that his underwhelming run in Washington was due more to circumstances (lack of receivers, coaching changes, etc.) than a limited skill set. Still, it had become apparent that he was not Shanahan's long-term solution at the position and frankly it would be hard to assume that he will 100% be a playoff-caliber signal caller in the league. In time, perhaps, but the clock is already ticking for Shanahan.

They previously acquired Rex Grossman, who played in Kyle Shanahan's system last season, so he will work as the Redskins backup. Dealing Campbell should help the Redskins recoup a draft pick for this season, which they need since they no longer have picks in the second and third rounds, and there are enough desperate teams (Buffalo, Oakland, Carolina) that could have a legit interest in a still relatively young passer with a big arm. Shanahan and the Redskins organization have made their play, which clearly came from the Future is Now playbook. Adding a QB of McNabb's level of competence will be positive for the Redskins offense, just not sure it is enough to have them playing deep into January.

Philadelphia - McNabb had been the Eagles starter since midway through the 1999 season, but Reid stated at the Sunday press conference that the Kevin Kolb era is here. Of course, entering his fourth season - first as starter - will be pressure enough, let alone having to deal with the inevitable comparisons to McNabb and doing it all in front of a fan base that is not known for their patience. On the bright side, Kolb posted strong fantasy numbers in his brief run last season and will have plenty of weapons to work with going forward.

The offense was already dealing with a changing of the guard at running back now that Brian Westbrook is no longer on the roster, but they will not need to pass out name tags in the huddle as Kolb and LeSean McCoy both played prominent roles last season. RB Mike Bell was added this offseason and he should be useful in those oh-so-tricky short yardage plays. WR DeSean Jackson is already one of the premier playmakers in the league, Brent Celek the same among tight ends and WR Jeremy Maclin is coming off a productive rookie campaign. Though Kolb likely will be drafted as a QB2 or rotation fantasy option, he has a chanced to be a special fantasy player in short order if he can avoid the other McNabb legacy and not throw up all over himself.

As for the deal itself, the Eagles wanted to get max value for McNabb and they did, picking up a high second round pick this year and either a third or fourth in 2001. The Eagles now own No. 24, 37 and 55 in this year's draft, giving them ample opportunity to help solve their pressing needs at safety, corner, pass rusher and offensive line. In my mock draft that is set to go online Monday, I had the Eagles taking OG Mike Iuapti (Idaho) with their first pick and safety Chad Jones (LSU) in round two. Now with the fifth pick in the second round, the Eagles target Florida DE Carlos Dunlap or Alabama corner Kareem Jackson. Safeties Taylor Mays and Nate Allen are also now in the mix with the earlier pick.

Historically the franchise has cut bait with their vets before the bottom fell out of their production so they remain consistent, even with the face of their franchise. Of course, when you trade said star player within the division, the payback could be significant, especially if McNabb leads the Redskins to a semi-miraculous playoff run and keeps the Iggles on the outside look in. Can't wait for the inevitable Monday Night game in Philly this year. If nothing else, I know what everyone in town will be talking about for the next six months.

The definition of "negligence", in a general sense, is as follows: the failure to act with the attentiveness that a rational person would exercise under the same circumstances.

Does this not sound exactly like what the Minnesota Vikings will be accused if the sainted Brett Favre does not return to the Twin Cities for football this upcoming season?

Vikings coach Brad Childress said last week that he was willing to wait on the wishy-washy Mississippi gunslinger to make a decision on whether he will return to the Twin Cities for another NFL campaign. It is certainly no shocker that once again, Favre is "undecided" about his NFL future and that a decision will come later, almost assuredly after the NFL Draft and beyond the point where most teams will have finalized whatever planned significant deals they are going to make. However, the outrageous part is the passive manner in which the Vikings organization is dealing with the situation involving their legitimate Super Bowl contender of a team.

Last season, the Vikings were a contender from the start, opening with a 10-1 record, ultimately winning the NFC North and coming within an overtime possession of reaching the Super Bowl, something they have not done since 1976. Yes, the latest incarnation of the Purple People Eater defense needs help at corner, while the offense needs an infusion of talent up front, specially at guard, and the replacement for Chester Taylor is likely not on the roster. However, they are much better off then the vast majority of teams with studs like Adrian Peterson, Jared Allen, Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, Steve Hutchinson, Antoine Winfield, The Williams Wall, etc, littering the roster that with a little luck they make the final game this year and at the very least are one of the primary contenders to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

Which brings us back to Favre. Because the Vikings are so stacked in many key spots, I was one of those that a year ago thought they could actually survive a season with Sage Rosenfels at quarterback, who in my eyes was a slight upgrade over the Gus Frerotte/Tavaris Jackson combo the team used the year before to reach the playoffs. Obviously, that was a fairly low bar and one Rosenfels might have barely inched over even in the best of times, so the Vikes bold decision to bring in the former Packer star with less than a month to go before Week One was a reasonable gamble. Even if Favre proved washed-up, well, its not like the lackluster alternatives would have done better, or so the rationalizing would have gone.

What is happening now is different. Both emotionally and strategically, the Vikes cannot go back to Rosenfels/Jackson if Favre stays away. That is the equivalent of putting all your prom date eggs into the head cheerleader's basket instead of seeking out comparable alternatives. You wait to see whether she will go with you to prom, only her optimistic-sounding "maybe" turns into getting dumped at the altar and you and your rented tux and limo are stuck with that awkward girl from the AV Club who eats her hair and does not suddenly get hot when she takes her glasses off. Sometimes you just have to forge ahead and take what you can get (come on fellas, we have all been there), but that is a lot harder to do if you have already tasted the good life, as it were. If the less desirable option becomes the fait accompli, forget dreaming of some post-prom excitement. Now you are just hoping to keep down the case of Milwaukee's Best you just inhaled to help you forget about what could have been.

That is what it will feel like to Vikings fans if Favre finally hangs 'em up. Right now, the Vikes have some moves to make if they knew Favre was ready to begin his post-NFL life. Those moves include dealing with the Philadelphia Eagles, who, depending which way you want to look at their three-headed QB scenario, are either listening to offers for Donovan McNabb or actively searching them out. The Eagles have said they want at least a mid-second round pick, which the Vikes do not have, but they do possess the 30th pick overall. As fleeting as NFL title runs can be, wouldn't the Vikes be willing to part with their first round pick for at least a two-year window to make the Super Bowl? I'm guessing if the Vikes sent #30 to the Eagles for McNabb and say a third rounder, this gets done and makes sense for both sides. Maybe the Eagles settle for the Vikes second rounder with another later round or future pick tacked on. When you factor in that Childress worked with McNabb when both were with the Eagles, thus helping make the transition a smooth one, the possible deal makes even more sense.

And yet, the Vikes are waiting, in part, because they are now a featured player in the "will he or won't he" drama that is Brett Favre. And this is why the Favre backlash has become rampant in recent years. The diva behavior of putting yourself above the other members of the team, holding them hostage to your whim, is more than most sports fan without an emotional tie to the situation can stomach. Maybe he has already told the team that he will indeed return, but only after the dog days of training camp have wound down. Of course, that would not exactly be a move I'd equate with being a team leader, something every Favre apologist wants to say he truly is.

Still, can we even blame Favre at this point? I mean, him sitting out yet again is about as shocking as Ricky Martin finally coming out of closet. As much as I have grown to loathe all things Favre-ian over the years, there is no denying that the Mississippi gunslinger was all that and then some last season. In a movie world, of course the team waits on the White Knight to come back and save the day, but this is not a Hollywood version of fantasy football. This is a multi-million dollar organization with loyal fans that are still waiting for their first taste from the cup of Super Bowl glory after all these years. If Favre decides his day-to-day future this fall involves riding his lawnmower on his Kiln, Mississippi lawn, then the Vikings fans have every right to revolt, but not against the QB. Instead their ire should be directed toward the front office and coaching brass for not maximizing their chances of finally quenching that insatiable thirst.