Surprise, surprise. It’s the biggest day in 6 months for Major League Baseball and once again the National Football League has found a way to outshine it. Could you have asked for a more exciting opening night; Red Sox vs. Yankees, Fenway Park, offensive battle. Honestly, how could you top that?
Sadly, just as the World Series champs took the field in Boston the NFL instantly over shadowed baseball with the news of Donovan McNabb being traded to the Washington Redskins for two draft picks.
It’s 80 degrees here in Baltimore, the sun is shining, baseball is underway, yet I can’t listen to sports talk radio without hearing about football. I hope the NFL is happy for ruining my Opening Day 2010.
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, this sort of thing always seems to happen, it’s just funny that the these sort of announcements seem to happen at such a perfect time for the NFL. If ever there was a time to believe that some sort of secret society running the NFL, be it the Illuminati, Skull and Bones, etc., this has to be it.
For the record, I think the trade is absolutely ridiculous on the part of the Philadelphia Eagles. They gave up McNabb, the franchise leader in yards passing, (32,873), completions (2,801), attempts (4,746), completion percentage (59.0) and touchdown passes (216), according to ESPN.com. McNabb was 9-7 in the playoffs, led the Eagles to five NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl. Philadelphia gave him up for a 2nd round pick this year and a 3rd or 4th next year and they traded McNabb within the division!
In my mind this a huge mistake by the Eagles and I’m disappointed that it had to come while I was attempted to watch baseball’s 2010 premiere.
What do you think, is baseball constantly overshadowed by football? Are the Eagles crazy for trading McNabb to the Redskins?
The Eagles have just proven to be the dumbest team in the NFL. Not only did they trade a quarterback with some tread left on his tires, but they traded him to an opponent in their own division.
McNabb was getting dealt. The question was where he would end up.
I'm stunned it's Washington.
I don't think the Eagles are crazy for dealing McNabb at all. And to be honest, the Skins offensive line is gonna get him killed.
It's obvious that the Eagles are turning over their roster (Nabb/Westbrook/Brown/Andrews) and getting younger.
I know one thing. When the Skins go to Philly this season it's gonna be a show.
Very well put Mark. I agree with your points. I'm just surprised to see McNabb get dealt within the division. I mean isn't that GM rule number 1 that was broken in this deal?
It will be a show though, actually a reason to watch the two play as opposed to the constant over hype the NFC East usually produces.
I thought it would be Oakland.
While I think his better days are behind him, I still think he's got a "McNair year" in him. Not sure what the picks were they gave up, but in the long run it's probably another bonehead Synder move. But if he reels off a 12-4 year and the "young Eagles" hit a skid, it's going to be hell to pay for that GM in Philly. Most fans are short sighted and even if those picks Washington gave up prove to be All-Pro players, if McNabb has an inspired season and the stars align in DC, it could be bad in the city of Brotherly Love.
O I agree it's a risky move by the Eagles.
The Skins gave up their 2nd round pick this season (37th overall) and a 3rd or 4th round pick in 2011. Im sure it's related to what McNabb does in DC.
It's pretty obvious that Oakland wasn't offering close to what Washington was. Maybe they were only willing to give up their 3rd rounder.
It states to reason that if there were 2 offers that were close in compensation that the Eagles would send McNabb out of the division.
The Skins OL is ridiculously bad. I can't imagine them not going with a LT with the 4th overall pick. Even so, the OL needs a ton of work.
The Skins aren't reeling off a 12-4 season ala the 2006 Ravens did with McNair. The Ravens had far few holes in 2006 than the Skins do in 2010.
I actually think Oakland was a perfect fit for McNabb. That's a team that would've contended for a playoff spot with any sort of decent play from the QB spot. But the old man forced Russell on the coaching staff. When they finally benched him, Gradkowski led them to some nice wins.
For the one-time kings of the offseason, they didn't give up much to get a quarterback they can be comfortable in knowing can play right now. However, I agree with Mark-if they don't upgrade that offensive line, he will be running for his life.
As to the question in the title of the post, I think the line goes that baseball is the national pastime, but football is the national passion. It is the 800 pound gorilla in the sports world.
the eagles were offered haynesworth but went with a second round pick instead. there is not one person in the world who can prove why that was. yes, haynesworth came with a big price tag, but since the redskins signed it they would be partially responsible, and seriously, the eagles ARE building young now, so that means not many high paid guys yet. no reason to not take that. sad.
on the bright side for the redskins, they lost randle el back to the steelers… o wait thats not good. o right nothing good really happens to the redskins. they will end up sucking the life and skill out of mcnabb which i hate saying since he is a top quality player. finally devin thomas can have a chance at proving himself tho.
If I were the Eagles I'd laugh at taking on Haynesworth's contract.
Fat Albert got paid and will now get fatter.
The Skins wouldn't be responsible at all for his contract if they could unload it. And since there is no cap this season it would benefit them even more if they could unload him.
I bet they've called every GM out there trying to get one to take Fat Albert and that deal.
Yeah. No one is taking Haynesworth, that was a terrible deal and everyone else in the NFL knows it. The Skins will try to draft a lineman, but I still agree with what everyone else is saying. McNabb is gonna get slammed.
the eagles still fail lol