Is it time to close the book on the McNabb era in Philadelphia?

For the last 11 seasons I don't believe there has been a stalwart supporter of Donovan McNabb than myself (with the exception of Andy Reid perhaps). I have never known the Philadelphia Eagles without him since I did not become really dedicated until his rookie year in 1999. Not once did I call for his departure like some many other Eagles' fans in the past few seasons and I was almost heartbroken when he was benched in the middle of last season.

However, after watching my team get absolutely pummeled for two straight weeks at the hands of Tony Romo and company I have to take a serious look at the future of this team. What I saw yesterday was a team that had no heart and was no mentally tough. I didn't appear as if anyone on the Eagles sideline took their beat down personally, no one appeared to care. This team doesn't have a true leader and that's one of the biggest reasons why they folded so badly in the last two contests. I think the loss of Brian Dawkins was never more glaring than when the broadcast would cut to the defeated looks of McNabb and others last night. Now this team has a terrific young core of players but I think some changes need to take place for this team to move forward in the right direction.

I know it won't happen so easily but Donovan McNabb and the Eagles need to part ways to benefit both parties. I have watched Donny for many years and have always respected his great play-making ability and more importantly how he has been able to deal with the Philadelphia fans and media like no other star player has in the city's history. However he is not a tough enough leader to lead his team to a Super Bowl plain and simple. This was his year to win the big one with all kinds of weapons and play-makers who could help shoulder the load and when presented with the challenged they fell mightily. Moving forward it's time for Kevin Kolb to get his shot.

Kolb has proved in his two starts this year that he can make all the throws at the professional level and there aren't a lot of guys around who can do that. Now it's time to see if he has that intangible ability to be clutch and win football games. It's an asset some guys have and others don't. Donovan is a very talented player but I've never been confident in his ability to comeback and lead his team to victory. I don't know if Kolb can do that but he deserves to be the guy and prove what he can do one way or the other.

This team needs a leader and maybe Kolb can be that guy and maybe he can't but no matter what something has to change. The team will get a boost next season with the return of Stewart Bradley who I feel really was the missing link this season and is a guy who can be the next Brian Dawkins. This team will be tremendously talented next season once again, now the question is whether they can come together as a team and not just a collection of talent.