Breaking News: McNabb traded to Redskins

For all those pitchfork salesmen and torch purveyors in Philadelphia, get ready for a brisk Monday morning.

According to ESPN, the Eagles have done what the previously unthinkable by trading starting quarterback Donovan McNabb to the Washington Redskins. Both sides are trying to finalize the deal, but the centerpiece coming back to the City of Brotherly Love is the Skins’ second-round pick, number 37 overall.

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The trade leaves the Eagles with only two quarterbacks on the roster in Kevin Kolb, who looks to be the heir apparent, and Michael Vick. The Redskins tendered an offer to free agent QB Jason Campbell, their starter for the four seasons, as well as picking up free agent Rex Grossman to complement Richard Bartel and Colt Brennan in camp.

More details to follow as they emerge.

– Matthew De George ’10

Browns demote Quinn following awful start

Ten quarters into his tenure as a starter in the NFL, Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn was again relegated to riding the pine, likely evoking thoughts of “Here we go again” from football fans in South Bend, New York City, Chicago, and Cincinnati-essentially anywhere the University of Notre Dame has a significant alumni base. [picapp src=”c/8/d/e/New_York_Jets_eb6f.jpg?adImageId=4656312&imageId=1654721″ width=”380″ height=”253″ /]

Quinn has a tremendous upside: big arm, athleticism, and the ability to read a defense well.  He’s had two years to learn to be a quarterback at the professional level and has all the big-time college football experience any new starter in the NFL would love to have.  Seems perfect, right? At least until you notice his knack for saving his worst for when the spotlight is shining brightest.

Small Vick-tories for Eagles

All eyes in the Philadelphia sporting world were turned to Lincoln Financial Field tonight to see Michael Vick’s debut in an Eagles’ jersey. It was an abbreviated appearance in his first time under center in two years, but there were brief moments that may give Eagles’ fans renewed hope.

Vick received an overwhelmingly warm reception from the largely late-arriving crowd at the Linc. And fans didn’t have to wait long to see him on the field, as he was in the backfield on the second play from scrimmage, tossing a four-yard shuttle pass to LeSean McCoy out of the Wildcat package.

Here’s a rundown of each of Vick’s trips onto the field:

Dear Philadelphia, Give Vick a chance

As the news broke last night during the Philadelphia Eagles 27-25 loss to New England in the preseason opener, shock seemed to be the prevailing emotion from the media who seemed to be blindsided by the signing.

Listening to ESPN Radio 950 AM, Eagles’ fans seem outraged at the signing. Host Dan Schwartzman, one of the disappointed masses, referred to Vick as “the ultimate boogeyman” numerous times throughout the broadcast.

Now lets step back and analyze this just a little bit.

Why Mike?

I know I’m not the only one left in a quandary by the Eagles’ signing of Michael Vick. And while ESPN’s resident football gurus John Clayton and Chris Mortensen love the signing, I have to be honest: I just don’t see it.

A few points to consider:

– This has been an exceedingly tumultuous camp for Philly already. Between the death of the talismanic Jim Johnson, first-rounder Jeremy Maclin’s holdout, and Juqua Parker’s arrest for marijuana possession, there’s been a bunch of issues for the team to deal with off the field. Though the team has already broken camp and can enjoy relative privacy for a while,Vick becomes another distraction.

Welcome to the NFL…and primetime TV

I always hear people criticize the NFL as being the “No Fun League”, and sometimes it’s unfair. Other times, it’s right on the money.

Take, for example, the new 2010 NFL Draft schedule, which will now have the draft’s seven rounds spread out over three days. Round 1 will air on Thursday night, April 22 at 7:30, with Rounds 2 and 3 the following night at 6:30, and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday morning at 10.

It’s being pitched as a way to give the common fan more access to an event that is growing in popularity (39 million viewers in 2009). “Moving the first round to prime time on Thursday night will make the first round of the draft available to fans on what is typically the most-watched night of television,” said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in a statement on Thursday.

Right, because every hard-working fan, who has to work that much harder to pay exorbitant season ticket prices, wants nothing more than to come home near the end of the work week and hear three hours of Chris Berman’s antics.