Either McNabb or Kolb Going, Vick Staying
By Lance Epstein
According to Derrick Gunn of the popular sports show DNL in Philadelphia is reporting that a source from within the Eagles organization has told him (within the past two hours) that they are still listening to offers.
However, that was not the most interesting news. He had two tidbits of interest. First, that the team does not want to let this situation at quarterback linger for very much longer. Second, that Michael Vick, the team's third string quarterback, will be back next season and either Donovan McNabb or Kevin Kolb will be the odd man out.
Since it would take a king's ransom to pry Kolb away from Philadelphia, it is becoming abundantly clear that McNabb is not going to be playing his 12th season in Philadelphia.
Besides Gunn's report, eaglesblitz.blogspot.com's Tommy Lawlor reported that the Eagles are talking to three teams. The two obvious, which have surfaced over the last two days are the Buffalo Bills and Oakland Raiders.
A potential problem with trading McNabb to Buffalo and Oakland is that he has made it know he will not sign a contract extension. Without the extension, the Eagles probably will not get full value for McNabb. Still, the Eagles could trade him if they feel the offer is right since he does not have a "no-trade clause" in his contract.
The third team that is the dark horse in the Jacksonville Jaguars. It is not hard to see why they would be interested in McNabb's services, considering that David Garrard did not have a great season. While he made the Pro Bowl, he did not deserve it.
Additionally, the Jags are looking for anyway to get their fans to come out to the games. McNabb along with Maurice Jones-Drew gives Jacksonville some star power that fans will spend money to see. Also, McNabb might be able to keep the Jaguars in Jacksonville for a couple of years because without him, they appear to be the franchise moving to Los Angeles.
Not only has Lawlor reported that those teams are willing to deal their first round pick, but Andy Reid and GM Howie Roseman are exploring a package that consists of a lesser draft pick along with a veteran player. Lawlor might be right that teams are offering first round picks, but I cannot see the Raiders at No. 8 overall, Bills at No. 9 overall and Jaguars at No. 10 overall in the draft giving up those kind of first round draft picks for a 33-year-old quarterback, who also wants an extension.
Lawlor also said the trade couple happen within the next two days or over the course of the next couple weeks leading up to the NFL Draft.
Since all three of these teams know of each other's interest, they might drive the price up for McNabb. That said, Reid and company should try to get a deal done sooner rather than later. The longer this plays out, the more likely teams will dropout of the bidding and leave the Eagles in a vulnerable negotiating position.
Also Profootballtalk.com has confirmed Jason La Canfora's earlier report that the Raiders are the team that is in the hottest pursuit of McNabb. Furthermore, the article stated that the deal between the Eagles and Rams, which was posted by Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane, might have prevented that deal from happening.
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