05/21/05
05/21/05
The main Eagle story in the media today is obviously the Terrell Owens holdout.
There are a few Eagles who so far have expressed various degrees of dissatisfaction besides Owens – Hollis Thomas, Tra Thomas, Corey Simon, and Brian Westbrook. The Westbrook Story seemed to have experienced a quantum leap forward when Westbrook fired his agent and hired McNabb’s agent. It does not take much imagination to believe that McNabb had something to do with this turn of events whether by solicitation, recommendation, or inference.
Business is business. Westbrook didn’t even need his smarts to realize that the Eagles would be more receptive to the agent of their number one player-spokesman. Amazingly, this was but a blip in the sports media even though it may prove to be the key to getting Westbrook back on the field.
What is still occupying the attention of the media is Terrell Owens. As I discussed in my previous article, this preoccupation can turn into a media feeding frenzy if the Eagles continue to stir the waters by publicly commenting on this contractual dispute.
Which brings us back to McNabb, true team leadership would best be demonstrated by doing what is necessary to win a Super Bowl. The best chance that the Eagles have next year to win a Super Bowl is to get TO on the field. McNabb did a great job convincing Eagle Management that TO would be an asset to the team; and, he was right. McNabb also was instrumental in cajoling TO away from the 49ers and Ravens. This is not the time for McNabb to stop doing what he can to field the best team possible.
Unfortunately, Andy Reid’s expectation is that McNabb should be a mouthpiece for the Eagles' Front Office; which can, of course, conflict with his role as a team leader with the players. Coach Reid should have enough confidence in his own positions so that he does not need McNabb to reiterate them to the press. McNabb as a Quarterback and a team leader should never be perceived as a Front Office heavy and should never be required to take any position on another player’s contract.