For the first time since Andy Reid decided trading Donovan McNabb within the division to the Washington Redskins would be a good idea, his decision will be tested. This Sunday McNabb will run onto Lincoln Financial Field from the visitor's tunnel in what is sure to be a very bittersweet un-homecoming.
Whether McNabb is booed or cheered, his return to Philadelphia will be emotional and how he channels that emotion will be critical to his play. When asked his thoughts on how he will be received, McNabb's been optimistic. "Honestly, I think I will be more cheered," McNabb said in an interview on ESPN 980 in Washington this week. "No matter what the situation is, right now I'm with a different team and it's a rival and it wasn't my choice."
No, the choice to be traded was not McNabb's it was Reid's. Since the news broke in the off-season, McNabb's been admirably professional. But let's be honest, it's probably been eating away at him this entire time. How could it not be? He was traded within the division to a team the Eagles play at least two times every season. If being traded after 11 years and leading the Eagles to five NFC Championships and one Super Bowl wasn't harsh enough, dealing him to a rival team certainly must burn a little.
Michael Vick emerging as McNabb's successor in Philadelphia brings this bittersweet un-homecoming full circle. It was McNabb who lobbied to bring in Vick, and when he circled 10/3/10 on his calendar he probably didn't realize this year's un-homecoming would be in Vick-a-delphia.
