NFC West Blog - The Cardinals Need McNabb and McNabb Needs the Cardinals

By: Tony Mosesso, Michigan State University

Let's just assume for a moment that the Eagles DO, in fact, trade Donovan McNabb. Let's also assume that McNabb has a say in where he goes, which he undoubtedly would. Let's assume that the Eagles have decided to do this and hand over the reins of their offense to the Michael Vick/Kevin Kolb project. Let's assume they're willing to risk the NFC East division on an unproven project out of Houston (Kolb) and an ex-con (Vick - side note, I actually like Vick, but I had to write this statement for dramatic effect). 

With all of these assumptions true, the oh-so-great-ESPN-experts have decided that Oakland is the best fit for McNabb. While I disagree with this statement, I'd like to pose a different one. Is McNabb the best fit for Oakland? No way. He's an aging Quarterback that has never lived up to the hype he gets. Yes, he's good. Is he great? It's hard to say for sure, but I don't think so. Let's think of proven Quarterbacks I'd rather have on my NFL squad (per last year's roster).

1) Drew Brees

2) Peyton Manning

3) Tom Brady

4) Kurt Warner

5) Philip Rivers

6) Matt Schaub

7) Aaron Rodgers

8) Brett Favre

9) Matt Ryan

10) Joe Flacco

I'll stop right now. I could name a few more, but my point's been illustrated. McNabb didn't even fall in my Top 10. He's not going to turn your franchise around, unless you already have a good base. For Pete's sake, I don't think even Brees, Manning, or Brady could move into Oakland and turn them into a contender. There's too many holes. The Raiders need to focus on building a TEAM first, rather than bringing in a big name and hoping a team follows. Nnamdi Asomugha is their only consistently solid defender. They have a few solid running backs, but no holes to run through, due to their awful attempt at assembling an offensive line. Their top Wide Receiver would have to be Darrius Heyward-Bey, who, in my opinion, was a waste of a pick for them. It was unneeded, and they even passed on the easily best WR in the draft (a la Michael Crabtree). The Raiders don't know what they are doing. McNabb doesn't belong here. The only justification for this would be to teach JaMarcus Russell a thing or two. But at this point, that's just a year off of McNabb's dying career. He doesn't have a lot of years left. He needs a team that he can help, and a team that can help him. A team with a good base. A team that's been successful. A contender.

This is where the Cardinals come in. The place where Kurt Warner thrived in the later years of his career. The place where you have a superstar WR in Larry Fitzgerald and a good supporting cast. You have a playmaker in the backfield, who has a similar game style to Brian Westbrook's in Tim Hightower. You have a big beefy back who can pound it in on the goal line, who also has the ability to get outside - Beanie Wells. You have a solid, proven offensive line. You have a solid, proven defense. You have a newer Head Coach that has had success in his years in Arizona - Ken Whisenhunt. It's the perfect setup. 

If McNabb had the final say, and it came down to these two teams, who do you think he'd pick? It would HAVE to be the Cardinals. Just like I said before - The Cardinals need McNabb, and McNabb needs the Cardinals.