Can't blame McNabb for wanting an extension

Donovan McNabb had been criticized and wished out of town by many. Fans had given up hope that the Eagles quarterback would be with the team next season, especially after being benched for the second half of a game against the Baltimore Ravens.

McNabb took it upon himself to change his future, winning four of his last five games in the regular season and getting the Eagles to the NFC Championship game for the fifth time in eight years.

The question is no longer, will McNabb be back with the Eagles in 2009 but how long he will be in Eagles green.

There are many questions about McNabb's future with the team and he is growing tired of it.

I don't blame him.

McNabb has said he wants to sit down with the Eagles brass and talk about an extension. His current contract runs through 2010.

The Eagles need to give him an extension and they need to do it now.

For one, McNabb gives the Eagles the best chance to win and win now. The Eagles are not in a position where they need to rebuild, but they need to re-tool.

From what I have seen from Kevin Kolb, he does not look ready to lead this team.

Secondly, the distractions that are caused by McNabb not getting an extension hurt the team and McNabb specifically.

There is one way to end the speculation and that is to give the franchise quarterback an extension.

Many thought the Eagles made a commitment to the future by drafting Kolb. The better commitment right now would be securing McNabb's future with the Eagles and continuing to build around him.

Eagles can make a run at SB next year - top offseason needs

The Eagles were close. But don't forget they only won nine games this year. The offseason brings about a lot of work and with the cap space and draft picks the Eagles have, there is no reason they cannot re-load for another run next year. Here are the top 10 things they need to do this off-season (in no particular order).

1) I'll admit that I was on the fire Andy Reid bandwagon. But he and his team turned the season around after being 5-5-1 at one point and finishing 9-6-1. Even if the Eagles missed the playoffs Reid was not going anywhere. It's hard to argue results and in his time in Philadelphia, Reid has gotten him team to play down the stretch and in the playoffs. However, the Eagles need some new blood in their leadership to take a different look at personel. They need some new ideas. For this reason, I think the Eagles need to remove Reid from the GM position.

2) Re-sign Brian Dawkins. Yes, he has lost a step. But Dawkins is the leader of this team, both on and off the field. The emotional leadership he provides is worth way more than his physical talent declining. They need him on this team.

3) Sign a pass rushing defensive lineman. One name out there is Julius Peppers. That would be great. Even if it is not him, the Eagles need another great passrusher. You can never have enough of them and getting to the QB with the front four is key and will improve the rest of the defense.

4) Draft a running back early. Brian Westbrook is a great back, but he is often slowed by injuries. The Eagles need to go to more of a two-back system to allow Westbrook some rest. Correl Buckhalter has done a great job backing him up, but he is going to look for a starting gig. The Eagles need to get younger at this position as Westbrook approaches the dreaded age of 30.

5) Improve the receiving corps. We all saw what having a great receiver can do, as Larry Fitzgerald killed them in the first half of the championship game. I'm not saying they need to go out and get a stud (that would be nice though), they need to improve at that position. It is time for Greg Lewis to go. Desean Jackson is going to be a stud and Kevin Curtis is very good. Jason Avant is developing into a good receiver. But the Eagles need another playmaking receiver that opposing teams need to account for and game-plan around.

6) Give Donovan McNabb an extension. End the speculation and give McNabb a longer contract. He is their best chance to win and will be with the QB's they have on the roster right now. Given more weapons, I have no doubt he can win a SB with the Eagles.

7) Get younger on the offensive line. Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas could be gone. The Eagles need to get better and younger on the o-line. Getting Shawn Andrews back would sure help.

8) Sign a real fullback. Need I say more?

9) Draft a safety for the future. Dawkins will not be able to play forever, so the Eagles need to think about the future at safety.

10) Draft in the first round. The Eagles have had the tendancy to trade their first round pick the past couple of years. They have two of them this year. I have no problem with them trading one if it brings back an impact player immediately. If not, keep both. They need to draft and draft well.

Maybe fans should cut Andy Reid some slack

Imagine sitting in front of your computer at work. You have put in over 40 hours this week and are working extremely hard, doing what you feel is right and best for your company.

You have had your ups and downs, but over the course of the last decade you have been one of the top performers in your company, once being selected as runner up for the best overall performance and three other times being one of the top four performers.

All of the sudden, there are people in your office, questioning every move you make, yelling that you suck. Every web site or message board you log onto has bad comment after bad comment about you. Everything you do is all of the sudden being questioned.

You just can't seem to do anything correctly.

How would you feel? Would you feel like you are being treated fairly?

Now stop and think what you have thought about Andy Reid. Think about what you have said about Andy Reid.

Is it fair?

I'll be the first to admit I have jumped on the fire Andy Reid bandwagon. The NFL is a what have you done for me lately league, and the Eagles have not done much lately.

His play calling and decisions are sometimes (ok, much of the time) maddening.

But nobody can argue the success Reid has had over the past decade. He has been to one Super Bowl, four straight NFC Championship games, and is the winningest coach in Eagles history.

His selection of Donovan McNabb in the NFL draft was not popular, questioned and booed by Eagles fans. Boy were we wrong about that one.

Sure, his play calling seems out of whack. Yes, fans are frustrated that besides Terrell Owens we have not had a superstar receiver.

Our expectations are high. Eagles fans will accept nothing less than a title.

But think about the comments concerning Reid. His desire to win is questioned. His decision making is questioned.

Reid is the head coach and general manager of this team. Of coarse, he wants to win and of coarse, he has high expectations for this team. Reid is doing everything he thinks is best for his team.

Fans don't always agree. And that's ok. But Reid is going to stick to doing things his way, the way he feels is best for his team.

We can support that or keep putting him down.

But the next time you want to criticize Andy Reid, just picture yourself at your desk, working hard after a long week of trying your best.

Maybe that will change your perspective.