Eagles Did Right In Drafting a QB

Donovan McNabb said in a recent interview that he was shocked the Philadelphia Eagles drafted a quarterback with their first selection in the 2007 NFL Draft.

He shouldn't be.

The Eagles are just protecting themselves. It has nothing to do with a lack of loyalty to McNabb, it has everything to do with the future of the franchise. Kolb may or may not be the man to replace McNabb, but Andy Reid and GM Tom Heckert are thinking long term and decided Kolb was the best fit.

McNabb is still the number one guy, but the time frame on Donovan's career is hitting the tail end.

He will be 31 years old at the start of this season and he hasn't been able to play a full 16 games in three of his last five years. Plus, McNabb has only two more years left on his contract so you can't blame Reid and the Eagles for looking ahead to life without Donovan.

This is a business, first and foremost, and the Eagles are looking at it from a business perspective. The Eagles needed to take a quarterback in this draft. The only question that remains is Kolb the right man for the job.

He does have the stats on his side. The Eagles traded out of the first round and chose Kolb in the second round with the 36th overall pick. Kolb threw for 12,964 yards, 85 touchdowns and 31 interceptions in four years at Houston. He passed for 3,808 yards, 30 TDs and only four picks last season.

Some question if he's ready for the NFL. He's a system quarterback who threw mainly out of the shotgun in college. One thing that is on his side is time. He can learn under McNabb and A.J. Feely, provided McNabb is will to be a mentor. Donovan is still the man, even though he sounds awfully threatened by the selection of Kolb.

McNabb told WIP-AM radio that he was shocked when the Eagles took Kolb. He then had a meeting with Reid, but he wouldn't say what the conversation was about. Who want to bet it was about Kolb? Sounds like a guy who's not to secure about his job.

The Eagles open their first minicamp on Friday. McNabb won't participate in practices but will be working out at the practice facility. He said he isn't sure if he'll play in the preseason opener on Aug. 13, but expects to be ready for the second or third game.

McNabb has led the Eagles to four NFC championship games and a Super Bowl loss in eight seasons in Philadelphia. He has done a great job and his legacy is assured, but
father time is breathing down his neck and so is a young quarterback from Houston. Only time will tell how it all plays out.