The Article Causing All the Fuss

Here is the Mark Eckel article that 610 has been talking about all morning:

PHILADELPHIA -- Over the next few months the Eagles will answer a question about their quarterback situation that will decide the look of the franchise for years to come.
The question is can Donovan McNabb and Jeff Garcia coexist, even for one more year?
Those close to both high-profile players aren't so sure.
McNabb, according to some people close to him, is not pleased with a lot that has happened since he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a loss to Tennessee on Nov. 19.
The franchise quarterback's un happiness includes the fact head coach Andy Reid did not allow him to travel to the team's playoff game in New Orleans.
There is a team rule that players on injured reserve do not travel, but, c'mon, teams always treat their stars differently than they do the rest of the team. What would it have hurt to let McNabb go to the game, even if he had to sit in the owner's box with Jeffrey Lurie, if Reid did not want him on the sideline?
McNabb also may be getting a vibe that some in the organization prefer Garcia over him. Lastly he was not pleased with the way his mother, Wilma, has been portrayed by Eagles fans and the local media for her blog on his Web site in which she stated that watching the Eagles win without her son "is bittersweet."
Despite other reports, there was no hint from anyone close to him that the quarterback was not happy with the Eagles training staff over the rehabilitation of his torn ACL. McNabb also was not bothered as much as some think over Reid's decision to cancel McNabb's press conference that was scheduled last Friday.
It is to the point, however, that the Eagles have to answer soon what they are going to do about their quarterback situation.
It could be a moot point if Gar cia, an unrestricted free agent in March, is not re-signed. Until then someone, preferably Reid, needs to make it clear to the franchise quarterback that he is still the franchise quarterback.
Because if he is, but there is even a doubt in his mind that he isn't (and we're not reading minds here, just tea leaves), that's not good.
There are also rumors floating and growing stronger from around that league that Minnesota and Tampa Bay could be landing spots in either a trade for McNabb or as a free-agent destination for Garcia.
The Vikings, who turned to rookie Tarvaris Jackson by the end of the season, make sense because former Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress is now the head coach and a big McNabb fan, and former Syracuse assistant Kevin Rogers is Minnesota's quarterbacks coach.
Tampa Bay, under head coach Jon Gruden, also could use a quarterback and either McNabb or Gar cia would fit well in the Bucs' offense.
Chris Simms, coming off an in jury, signed a new deal late last season, and the other quarterbacks on the Bucs' roster include Tim Rattay, Bruce Gradkowski and Luke McCown.
Gruden and McNabb go back to the 1999 Senior Bowl, in which Gruden coached McNabb's squad. Reid has often pointed to that week in Mobile, Ala., that let him know McNabb was the right man for his offense.
Garcia, who will be an unrestricted free agent come March, also could be a fit for the Bucs since Gruden has shown he can win with older, veteran quarterbacks. See Gannon, Rich, and Johnson, Brad.
Would the Eagles really trade McNabb?
Unlikely, since they would not get true value for him since he is coming off the injury and the salary cap hit they would absorb is $3.8 million.
Tampa has either the No. 3 or No. 4 pick in the draft (depending on a coin flip with Cleveland). It's doubtful the Bucs would give that up. Minnesota has the No. 7 overall pick in the first round. Again, that's a pretty good pick.
Then again, the Vikings or the Bucs could just sign Garcia as a free agent.
And McNabb would stay put, at least for another year (there would be a very minimal cap hit if McNabb is traded after the 2007 season).
"I know Jeff and I know how he is," a former teammate of Garcia's said. "After the way he played -- what was he 6-1? -- and then he won a playoff game. He's not going to be happy being a backup again. He's way too much of a competitor for that. He should be going to the Pro Bowl the way he played. He knows that. Now, you want him to be a backup, and get paid like a backup. That's not going to happen."
The former teammate then brought up a scenario that could really put the Eagles in a bind if it were to happen.
"Say Jeff does come back," he said. "And Donovan isn't ready for four weeks or so. If Jeff goes 4-0, or 3-1, are you going to take him out and put Donovan back?"
The Eagles are going to do something in the immediate future and that decision will have an affect on them long term.

While he may be upset over some things (frankly, who doesn’t get a bit miffed at their employer over things at work from time to time), I really can’t see the Birds trading McNabb. I haven’t read or heard one word from anyone over at the Eagles’ organization which has said anything, but McNabb is the franchise QB.

I think Eckel is just trying to cause a ruckus and seem relevant again and of course, Caltaldi and crew has never missed an opportunity to stir the pot when D Mac is involved.

I wouldn’t be shocked if this whole thing goes away fairly quickly. I’m not going to play chicken little over this one.