It was nice to see Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb keeping himself busy during Super Bowl week. McNabb took time away from talking about his own contractual status to talk about fellow Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick. Donovan McNabb said in an ESPN interview that he feels Michael Vick deserves a chance to be a starter. I cannot believe that McNabb would even dream of wanting Vick to play on another team next season. Shocking isn’t it?

The comments from McNabb are stunning in light of McNabb’s history in Philadelphia. McNabb has never been the kind of guy to speak up for his teammates when it came to trades or negotiations. McNabb has said many times over the last eleven years that he prefers not to get involved with other player’s issues with management. McNabb said nothing to back up Terrell Owens, Hank Fraley,  Brian Dawkins, or Brian Westbrook when they were trying to re-negotiate their deals to stay in Philly. Mike Vick on the other hand continues to make statements about leaving Philly to start elsewhere and McNabb has his back. Quite frankly, McNabb worked harder last week than Vick’s agent to get him out of town. A bit of irony wouldn’t you say?

First of all, what did any objective eye see while watching Michael Vick that makes you believe he deserves to be a starter? Can he be a starter? Sure, has anyone watched JaMarcus Russell, Mark Brunell, or Trent Edwards lately? Does he deserve to be a starter? Sure, if you think three gimmick touchdowns earn you the right to hold one of 32 of the most prestigious jobs in professional sports. Why not throw him in the Hall of Fame while we are at it?

Tensions have subsided a bit since the Eagles signed Vick and as an Eagles fan, I look back with an objective eye and I can honestly say that Vick was a waste of money, time, drama, and a roster spot. It was evident quickly that Michael Vick 2009 was not the same Michael Vick of 2004. How anyone expected this guy to walk back in the NFL after being away from the game for two years and not miss a beat still continues to astound me. The bottom line is that Vick was not ready for prime time or to even be a part-time for that matter.

Instead of keeping Vick and McNabb in the same package and confusing defenses, Andy Reid opted to rather sub Vick in for McNabb during the game, in the midst of drives. The only ones confused were the Eagles who continually blew time outs whenever Vick would stroll in or wind up moving backwards. It was as if Andy Reid was pulling a practical joke on his entire team. It wasn’t until the last quarter of the season until Reid started playing McNabb and Vick at the same time that defenses started to become confused, and the offense started moving forward. In my opinion, the whole idea of this gadget play offense with Vick was a complete and utter failure.

Did Vick had his moments in the 2009-2010 season? He did, three of them to be exact. The first came when Vick returned as a conquering hero to his former team in Atlanta, GA. The hero received a thunderous welcome echoed with loud boos which surprised Vick’s #1 groupie, Donovan McNabb. Vick answered with a couple touchdowns against his old team. Keep in mind that there were numerous starters missing from the Falcons, but hey the Eagles love redemption.

Then there was that touchdown thrown against the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. As a matter of a fact, it was the only touchdown thrown against the Cowboys in eight quarters of play. Hey, the pass was beautiful and it was surely a glimpse of what Vick used to be. However, this was a play set up throughout the entire season as Al Michaels pointed out on the broadcast. It was a nice touchdown, but that was about the only positive play that Vick contributed in those eight quarters. Does that sounds like a guy ready to start in the NFL?

I am not even going to get into the Ed Block Courage fiasco. I have written about it and quite honestly, there is nothing more that can be said that hasn’t already.

So here we are back to Donovan McNabb. McNabb is faced with doing something practically unheard of from a franchise quarterback, play his contract year. As it stands today, McNabb will be going into next season without any security. For someone as injury-prone as McNabb, that is dangerous. I think back to former Eagles linebacker Byron Evans who did the same thing, broke his leg, and never played again.

Compound this with the fact that the Eagles arguably have more depth at quarterback  than any other team in the NFL. While the jury is out on Kevin Kolb, he is regarded as a future starter by most NFL experts. Michael Vick, according to Donovan himself should be an NFL starter. Unlike most situations where the franchise quarterback is in the driver’s seat, the franchise actually has more leverage in these negotiations than usual. As much as the Eagles would probably like to keep McNabb around, they are going to have a set price, and have the luxury of saying goodbye to their QB if they can’t come to an agreement.

Now why would Donovan McNabb be so adamant, so proud, and so focused on telling ESPN and anyone else with a microphone that Michael Vick deserves to be a starter next season? Funny how he never used the word “here” when making these statements about Vick. Notice how he never said the same thing about Kevin Kolb, who deserves to be a starter next season a lot more than Vick does. Of course he doesn’t, because Kolb would be starting in Philadelphia. McNabb knows that out of the three, Vick won’t get the starting gig over Kolb and McNabb so all of the sudden he is now comfortable playing General Manager.

As a lifelong Eagles fan, I have had it with McNabb. He is a wolf in sheep’s clothing and a real phony when it comes to sticking up for his teammates. He won’t stick up for his offensive linemen, his safety, his running back, or his wide receivers when they complain about management and ask for new contracts so they can stay here and play. Yet another quarterback on the team starts making waves about wanting to be traded and McNabb is out there doing everything but showing off game film to promote his backup. The jig is up and even I as someone who defended him for ten years can see through this ruse.

Order a DeSean Jackson Jersey: Reebok Green Replica #10 Philadelphia Eagles Jersey by clicking here.

Check out the NFL: Philadelphia Eagles – 10 Greatest Games DVD set by clicking here.

Your favorite NFL teams and players gone big – Fathead.com

Order the Madden NFL 10: Official Strategy Game Guide by clicking here.

As I always say sports fans, be careful what you wish for because you just might get it. The rumor mill is swirling with scenarios in Cleveland, and alot of it is focused on what the Eagles have at QB. As you know, Former Eagles GM Tom Heckert is now holding that position with the Browns, and according to rumors he and new “Prez” Mike Holmgren are looking for a radical change.

So of course you think to yourself, “doesn’t Cleveland have two QB’s, and one of them being hometown favorite Brady Quinn?” Well yes the Browns have men in position, but the offense the last few years has been awful. Several rumors spilling over have the Browns looking at Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb, and yes even Michael Vick. Now here is where the wishing makes me laugh: Show of hands, how many Eagles fans would be happy seeing a deal that would ship McNabb to Cleveland for Quinn or Anderson? How many “Green Bleeders” would be happy seeing Kevin Kolb shipped there for some 4th round draft pick? Be careful what you wish for!

It seems to me that Vick will not be in the Eagles plans for next year. Vick can draw something to the birds in return for a trade. Rumors have flown about the Rams and Browns looking into Vick, not so much as a savior, but as a player to put some butts in the seats. I would believe that if he shows a quality work ethic that he can draw a third round pick. Although it would seem unlikely that a team would give up anything this high for a guy who really didn’t show the ability to play full time. His legs aren’t quite what they used to be, and his arm has never been razor sharp.

Now for McNabb, his story is well known. He has just one year left on his contract, and many Philly fans have been calling for his head. Sure, and why not? Donovan McNabb is only the winningest QB in franchise history and is one of very few all time QBs to appear in five conference championship games. This past seasons playoff failure by the Eagles have many looking at McNabb and thinking it may be time for a change. They look and think of how the Packers were able to say good-bye to Brett Favre, and how the 49ers once said good-bye to Joe Montana. In my opinion McNabb is the most ideal choice to stay in Philly because he knows the system and its players. Perhaps a dedicated offensive line would help? The Andrews brothers spend more time in hospitals then nurses, Herremans is more worried about his over bloated social life and Winston Justice has never proven to be worthy of his high draft status.

Which brings us to Kolb. He had a good start against a poor Kansas City team, but outside of that has not really shown anything sparkling. If the Eagles could stand to part with any of these guys, my safest bet would be Kolb. However if Kolb is dealt to Cleveland, Quinn or Anderson would have to be included in the deal so you have steady back up plans for McNabb. I feel that with a better team, Quinn is leaps and bounds better then Kolb, so I’d pull off some kind of deal like this in a flash. Although, be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.

The upcoming NFL draft is not loaded with big time QB prospects. Many say about, “well look at Aaron Rodgers”, yes look at him all you want, he was actually projected as the best QB in his draft by many. The Packers just lucked out to have him fall where he did. Come back to earth and look at some recent second and third round draft choices. Drew Stanton, John Beck, Kolb, Trent Edwards, Pat White, Brian Brohm, etc. How many of these guys are making a dent in the NFL? At least if you get a deal done for Quinn you have a guy who has started regularly and knows a little something about being in an NFL game.

Be careful what you wish for, you just may get it Philly fans. Please don’t even begin to ask me how many Super Bowls McNabb has won. If that is the measuring stick then perhaps we should find Brad Johnson, or Trent Dilfer, or Doug Williams? Feel the trend? These guys won Super Bowls, but quite frankly could never be the face of a franchise. It is all not the fault of McNabb. You have an undersized defense and an average offensive line. Look into stuff like that first before you jump up and down in excitement about the thought of getting a 3rd round draft choice instead of your franchise QB.

One way or another it may be safe to assume that 1 of the 3 on the roster will be gone soon. Whether it be Vick, Kolb or McNabb, it will make an impact on this city and this team. Who comes in their place? One can only imagine, but one will also caution: Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it!

If you’d like to hear anything else from me on topics or ideas I can be reached at phillyphan1971@yahoo.com

Get your NFL jerseys discounted now on Amazon.com by clicking here

Check out the NFL Film Classics – Legends of Autumn, Vols. 1-3 DVD by clicking here.

Join ESPN Insider today for the best sports analysis online, plus ESPN The Magazine!

Your favorite NFL teams and players gone big – Fathead.com

Order the Madden NFL 10: Official Strategy Game Guide by clicking here.

Pro athletes are generally stereotyped as being out of touch with their fans and the public. I try to give professional athletes the benefit of the doubt in most situations. Unfortunately the Philadelphia Eagles have played right into these stereotypes. The Michael Vick redemption project took a whole new turn this week when the team honored Michael Vick with the Ed Block Courage Award.

I have written quite a bit this season about my feelings as a Philadelphia Eagles fan towards the Vick situation. Quite frankly, as great as this season has been for the birds the Vick signing has made me completely apathetic towards the team. It isn’t even so much the signing anymore as it is their continued effort to shove his redemption story down our throats like he just came back after beating cancer or being hit by a drunk driver. As disgusted as I was with the whole charade in Atlanta, this news just makes me completely sick.

Let me first say this before people start whining about second chances, etc. I understand he paid his debt to society. I do believe he should be able to move on with his life and his career once he paid his debt. However, the constant effort by the Philadelphia Eagles to single him out and criticize their fans that may not be on board with the situation has gotten way out of hand. The franchise has turned him into some kind of hero, going out of their way to prove a point to his critics and the dog lovers sickened seeing him on the field. It has just gotten way out of hand and this is something that the Eagles should be truly ashamed of.

The circus in Atlanta was a bit too much as it was. Having Vick lead the team out onto the field, and putting him in red zone situations so he would score and somehow redeem himself was just preposterous to me. The bubble separating this team from the NFL fan base expanded before the game when players raved about the hero’s welcome that Michael Vick would receive from Atlanta Falcons fans. After being wildly booed by the Falcons fan base, his Eagles teammates apparently didn’t hear those thousands of boos after they raved about the reception he received by Atlanta. I must have been watching a different game.

The funny thing is, if Michael Vick is the most courageous person on this team than the Eagles are in worst shape than I ever imagined. The award celebrates players who have improved the lives of abused children and exemplifies the principals of sportsmanship and courage. Michael Vick is a backup quarterback who has probably played about two dozen snaps this season. So you mean to tell me out of every Eagles that played this season, this is the most courageous and sportsmanlike guy on the team? Didn’t he just talk about wanting to play elsewhere next year and didn’t like being a Wild Cat quarterback? Obviously this award is about none of the above and about sending a message to his critics and the anti-Vick fans. I guess there was nothing courageous about Jeremiah Trotter coming back, taking a leadership role, and accepting a backup spot. How about Brian Westbrook trying to play a couple of weeks after receiving a concussion? What about Jamaal Jackson and what he is doing for his dead sister’s children?

If you don’t think this is about the Mike Vick redemption story, just take a look at the other recipients around the NFL.

- The San Francisco 49ers honored Shawntae Spencer. Spencer tore his ACL last season and has worked his way back to be the team’s starting CB this season.
- The Cincinnati Bengals honored Bobbie Williams. Bobbie is a locker room leader and has never missed a game due to a football-related injury. As the Bengals starting right guard, Williams has played a critical role in the Bengals successful running attack this season.
- Mike Furrey won the award from the Cleveland Browns. Furrey is ranked second in receptions this season with the Browns and missed the last six games of the 2008-09 season with an injury while with the Detroit Lions.
- The Washington Redskins honored defensive lineman Phillip Daniels with the award this season. Daniels tore his ACL last year in training camp and missed the season. Coming back this season, Daniels continues to start even after suffering torn right biceps. In 11 starts, Daniels has 28 tackles, including 17 unassisted and has been integral in stopping the run.

You get the point. Call me crazy, but does anything Michael Vick has done this season compare with any of these guys?

On the field, he has done more damage this season to the team than he has helped them. Yes, the birds finally started getting some production out of him the last few weeks. However, we are talking about two out of fifteen weeks of the season. Anyone with an NFL mind knew that it would take him a while to get back into football shape and get his legs back. Yet the birds gave up a roster spot to a guy that probably wouldn’t be ready until the end of the season. I could see a team with a two-three year Vick plan giving him this same opportunity, but this has been widely speculated to be a one-year situation for Vick. Up until just a few weeks ago, Vick’s presence on the field was more of a disruption to the Eagles than any other team. Over the course of a full season he has been a complete and utter bust. If this was any other player he would have been cut weeks ago or never signed in the place by the Philadelphia Eagles.

As of today, the Philadelphia Eagles are the hottest NFC team entering the NFL playoffs. That could change with one loss, but today they have rolled off 5-0 and are in the hunt for the second NFC seed. As a twenty-year Eagles fan, you would expect me to ecstatic and pumping out my chest. Honestly, I really don’t care. This team has done so much to alienate me and others like me this season that I would rather see the New Orleans Saints embarrass the birds in the playoffs than watch this arrogant franchise in the Super Bowl. Between letting Brian Dawkins walk, Andy Reid and Joe Banner’s continued arrogance, and the Vick redemption story, I refuse to have my day ruined anymore because the Eagles lost on Sunday.

Thanks to USAtoday.com for the tip!

Get your NFL jerseys discounted now on Amazon.com by clicking here

Check out the NFL Film Classics – Legends of Autumn, Vols. 1-3 DVD by clicking here.

Join ESPN Insider today for the best sports analysis online, plus ESPN The Magazine!

Your favorite NFL teams and players gone big – Fathead.com

Order the Madden NFL 10: Official Strategy Game Guide by clicking here.

Check out the video highlights from one of the most entertaining games of the NFL 2009 season. The Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants lit up the scoreboard and raked up over 880 yards of offense to put on a Sunday Night Football shootout. The star of the show was DeSean Jackson who had two touchdowns and 260 total yards after a week off. The Eagles now move into sole possession of first place in the NFC East and are a virtual lock for the NFL playoffs.

This game reminded me a lot of last season’s Week 2 Monday Night Football shootout between the Eagles and the Cowboys. The great news here for Eagles fans is that the birds have never looked better on offense all season. Finally, the team is starting to get creative with Michael Vick and is having success with Vick. The team looks to have solved their red zone issues. DeSean Jackson had no after-effects of last week’s concussion. Leonard Weaver is turning into the unsung hero of the team with another rushing touchdown. This team is clicking on all cylinders, except for one…the defense.

The Eagles under Andy Reid have been known for their great defenses. This team does not have a great defense. Asante Samuel is the biggest high risk/high reward player I think I have ever seen in the NFL. When he jumps a route right, he is the MVP of the defense. However, the guy doesn’t like to tackle and is a turnstile for running backs. As it stands now, I think the birds can hang with almost any NFC team in the playoffs. However, barring a miracle the Eagles will have to go through New Orleans to get to the Super Bowl. Drew Brees and Pierre Thomas will have a field day with this defense. The only post-season hope that Eagles fans have at this point is to hope for a huge upset in the divisional round and a title game against anyone but the Saints.

As for DeSean Jackson, I believe he is right up there with Chris Johnson as one of the top dynamic players in the league. The guy is faster than anyone gives him credit for and may be the fastest receiver in the NFL. He makes teams miss and looks to have shed those rookie mistakes he made last season. As much as I have criticized Andy Reid’s draft picks over the years, he has had two of the best drafts in franchise history in the last two years. Jackson is a true difference maker and as long as he stays healthy, the Eagles are always in the game.

In the meantime, I’m just going to sit back and enjoy the DeSean Jackson Show.

Philadelphia Eagles- New York Giants Week 14 highlights

Order a DeSean Jackson Jersey: Reebok Green Replica #10 Philadelphia Eagles Jersey by clicking here.

Check out the NFL: Philadelphia Eagles – 10 Greatest Games DVD set by clicking here.

Your favorite NFL teams and players gone big – Fathead.com

Order the Madden NFL 10: Official Strategy Game Guide by clicking here.

There is a good chance that many of you will be receiving Madden 2010 for the holidays. Unfortunately, one of the best players of the NFL season isn’t there. No, I’m not talking about Michael Vick, I am talking about Brett Favre. I will tell you how to get Brett Favre, Michael Vick, and updated rosters for Madden 10.

The only thing you need to get Brett Favre in your Madden 10 game (other than the game)  is an Internet connection and if you are using an Xbox 360, an Xbox Live Gold membership. I wrote a blog awhile back when Favre un-retired about his status in the Madden 10 video game. To this day, I get hundreds of queries through Google.com asking about how to add Favre to the game. Knowing this and the chance that many will be asking the same question over the next several holiday weeks, I wanted to write a quick blog and help you play with the gunslinger.

The following instructions may vary slightly, but are all relatively the same for the PS2, PS3, and Xbox 360. Once you turn on the game and get to the main menu, do the following.

- Go to either the online mode, Xbox Live, or play online. More or less, get online in the game and connect to EA’s servers.
- Once you are online follow all of the steps to play a game against an opponent online.
- Once you do that you will be notified that your rosters are outdated. You will be automatically updated for the online match, and then asked whether you want to save the new roster. Save it to your hard drive or memory card.
- At that point, exit out of the online mode (unless you want to play of course).
- Double check and bring up the rosters. The rosters you just downloaded should be available. Not only will you see Brett Favre on the Minnesota Vikings roster, you will also find Michael Vick on the Philadelphia Eagles, Richard Seymour on the Oakland Raiders, Braylon Edwards on the NY Jets, and all of the roster moves made since the game was released in August. Change the depth chart around as well, and if you really want to have fun, get creative and make some trades like Favre back to Green Bay, Vick to Atlanta, T.O. to Dallas, etc.
- As soon as you are done go to the file management option in the menu and save your new roster to your hard drive or memory card.
- You’re done!

One thing that Xbox users need to keep in mind is that you need an Xbox gold membership to get the update. Without the gold membership, you won’t be able to access the play opponent option. The only other ways for Xbox 360 users to get the roster is to either get them from a friend on your memory card, or buy them on Ebay.com. It is unfortunate, but EA will put a couple of more roster updates out over the next few weeks. The last scheduled roster update is slated for February. So, you’re best option is to pick up a 3-month Xbox Live Gold membership which will cover you the rest of the way.

The next time you go to fire up your Madden 10 game, your new rosters will automatically be included. Be aware that you also won’t be able to play with some players that have been placed on the IR such as Chad Pennington. Otherwise, you are good to go with Vick, Favre, and everyone else in Madden 10.

On a side note, Madden offers a DLC option to unretire players in your franchise mode. This is something you have to purchase, but you can use this within your franchise mode to un-retire Favre at the end of the first season and play him again next season.

Happy Holidays!

Order a discounted Xbox 360 Live 3 Month Gold Card from Amazon.com by clicking here.

Order the Madden NFL 10: Prima Official Game Guide by clicking here.

Order Madden 2010 for the PS3 by clicking here.

Order Madden 2010 for the Xbox 360 by clicking here.

Order Madden 2010 for the Wii by clicking here.

Order Madden 2010 for the PS2 by clicking here.

Order Madden 2010 for the PSP by clicking here.

Register for GameFly™

5. Michael Vick returns to Atlanta:

In what was a game that I personally did not see a lot of hype over…Michael Vick returned to Atlanta for the first time since his dog fighting charge two years ago. Had not it been for Brett Favre joining the Vikings and playing the Packers; maybe this would have been the big “return” game of the season. But it wasn’t and for the most part killed all that was left of a team that I thought could be NFC Champions in the Atlanta Falcons.

In his first game back in Atlanta, Vick went 2/2 for 48 yards with 1 TD and ran for 17 yards on 4 carries with 1 TD. Nothing overly impressive but nonetheless Vick got his chance to show the crowd that once loved him what they were missing. The same crowd that booed him in the beginning of the game, semi-cheered for him when he scored and once the game was over started chanted “we want Vick.”

I’m sorry Atlanta but that train left a long time ago, you have Matt Ryan now. He will help you in the long run.

4. The Steelers lose 4th straight game:

What in the hell has happened to the defending Super Bowl Champions? Four weeks ago they were 6-2 on the verge on cruising into a playoff spot and now they are back peddling out of contention! They have lost to the Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders, in games that they should have won by thirty or more points.

The steel curtain that helped bring them to a championship last season looked to be rotting out from its very foundation. Mike Tomlin professed that the losing (and bleeding) would stop prior to the Raiders game. It did not stop and not the Steelers appear that they will be watching the playoffs right beside me next month.

3. Are the Cowboys on another December road out of the playoffs? :

I have never been a “Dallas Cowboys hater” like a good percentage of the NFL fans are. To me the Cowboys never really bothered me nor meant anything to me because they really haven’t mattered since Emmitt, Michael and Troy. But I must admit, it is fun to watch this team collapse lately in December.

I love listening to the media build on how they are already crumbling after one loss to the New York Giants (the same New York Giants I thought were going to roll over and die last week but appear to be alive again…for the time being). I believe the Cowboys front office wants this to happen so they have a reason to go out and hire a big time coach to hopefully turn their franchise around. I believe the Cowboys are on the verge of collapsing again and I will definitely root it on!

2. The Arizona Cardinals look strong against the Minnesota Vikings:

Wow. That’s all I could say as I watched Sunday Night Football this past week as the Arizona Cardinals looked great against the Minnesota Vikings. To me it was a statement game for Arizona because no matter what they do they never seem to get any respect from the NFL experts because of the division they play in. This team did win the NFC Championship last year and has potentially one of the best wide receiving cores in the entire game.

I believe this is the right step forward that Arizona needed as they enter the playoffs. The Cardinals will use this as a momentum game that will take them into the playoffs and shake the ground of teams like the Saints & Vikings. Arizona is a good team and an underdog for the most part and you got to think that the Cardinals wouldn’t want it any other way.

1. The Saints comeback and defeat the Washington Redskins:

You know it’s meant to be when you win a game like that. The New Orleans Saints improve to 12-0 on the season after defeating the Washington Redskins in overtime this past week 33-30. It appeared at one point we were looking at an 11-1 team but the Washington Redskins did the best they could to help the Saints stay undefeated.

After missing a 23-yard field goal (not a typo), having Jason Campbell throw to the Saints defense really well and allowing the Saints to drive down the field in the final two minutes for the game tying play; you have to thank the Redskins for doing what they could to help the undefeated cause. Saints win it in overtime and move onto the next week still undefeated. I will be shocked if New Orleans doesn’t stay undefeated in regular season after a game like this.

Jeff Peck is the producer for the “Wheelhouse Radio” program that airs every Sunday – Thursday @ 8pm ET/5pm PT at http://www.wheelhouseradio.wordpress.com

You can visit The Wheelhouse’s official website where you can download “high quality” shows & see all the latest happenings with the show at http://wheelhouseradio.wordpress.com.

If you would like to subscribe to “The Wheelhouse” on iTunes simply subscribe for free at iTunes by typing in “Wheelhouse Radio!”

You can follow Wheelhouse Radio! on Twitter by visiting their page @ www.twitter.com/thewheelhouse and you can e-mail them @ wheelhouseradio@gmail.com.

Get your NFL jerseys discounted now on Amazon.com by clicking here

Check out the NFL Film Classics – Legends of Autumn, Vols. 1-3 DVD by clicking here.

Join ESPN Insider today for the best sports analysis online, plus ESPN The Magazine!

Your favorite NFL teams and players gone big – Fathead.com

Order the Madden NFL 10: Official Strategy Game Guide by clicking here.