One thing the Eagles must learn from this year's Super Bowl is that you can't control everything from the sideline in a two- minute drill.
They've got to let Donovan McNabb take control when they running a no-huddle offense in a two-minute drill and call the plays on the field.
McNabb should be told to take over. I am tired of McNabb standing their waiting for a play to come in as the seconds are running off the clock. Year after year this happens and no correction is made.
Notice that you didn't see Ben Roethilsberger or Kurt Warner standing there waiting for plays to come in from the sideline. If Andy Reid really has confidence in McNabb, then show it. This isn't Pop Warner or midget league football.
I heard Santonio Holmes talk about Roethlisberger, who much less experienced than McNabb, calling some of the plays. During the season, I heard Roethisberger talk about the freedom he was given to change plays and call his own plays.
Reid tries to control things too often. McNabb is a ten-year veteran and is a smart quarterback. He should be given more freedom in this offense. He should be given more lattitude to call the shots when seconds become vital.
They should also follow the trend of the league and put a band on McNabb's arm with many of the plays. A lot of times it takes five seconds to same the name of the play because they have so much verbage in them.
Putting ten plays on a band McNabb's arm would allow to tell him a number from one to ten. McNabb would look down on his band and call the play. It may not seem like a big deal but those extra four or five seconds could make a big difference.
The other thing I want to see is McNabb being encouraged to leave the pocket more often, when he's in vital situations.. Early in his career I remember him being more fearless at the end of games to leave the pocket and make someting happen.
McNabb is not the kind of person and quarterback who is going to do things on his own or disregard what he is told by his coaches. He's not going to go in the game and do his own thing.
McNabb should be told to take more chances, especially when it means using his legs and improvisational skills.
If Reid continues with the control freak tendencies the Eagles will continue to get close but never win a championship.
I want to see Reid challenge McNabb to be great. He should stop treating him like he's 32 year old teenager.
