Since '05 he has started and won three games and contemplates retirement as often as Ben Bernanke proclaims the recession is over.

McNabb led the Eagles to eight playoff appearances in the ten years as a starter; four times reaching the NFC Championship Game and once in the Super Bowl. The bookends to his career as an Eagle will be best remembered for being excessively booed by Eagle fans at the '99 draft because they wanted their team to select RB Ricky Williams. Hmm…McNabb (six time Pro Bowler, played in devastating pain on several occasions) or Williams (drug suspensions, sojourns in the desert) …"tough pick," but McNabb would be most people's choice.

The lasting image was a scene "of him emerging from the Cowboys stadium tunnel, dancing and playing air-guitar and concluded that he was not a serious leader and contender and called for his replacement." McNabb just never seemed to appease Eagles fans. Maybe since the Philadelphia Phillies are one of the hottest in baseball, fans decided to wet their beak. Rest assured Eagle fans, come November you will be singing a line from Chicago's "Hard Habit to Break." That line, "you don't know whatcha got until it's gone. "

Eagle fans may be correct on wanting McNabb out. Maybe a rehashing of their emotions in January would suffice. The Eagles will face the Redskins twice this season. Eagle fans…do not hold your breath. With the 2011 NFL season lockout by the owners appearing imminent, you will have ample time to relive your opinions.

After the 2010 NFL season it has been highly anticipated the owners will call for a lockout. If anyone does not remember what a lockout means, remember the 1994 baseball season (no World Series), 1998-99 NBA season, or the 2004-05 NHL season (oh I forgot, there wasn't one). The NFL owners have hired Bob Batterman as outside counsel. The NFLPA will be headed by DeMaurice Smith. It is ironic to note each of these two are lawyers. Better yet, Batterman was a representative for the NHL owners and played a key role in wiping out the 2004-05 NHL season. Anyone see the writing on the wall? NFL owners have put clauses in coaches contracts where they will not be paid "in case" of a work stoppage. In other words, if you want to see your favorite team live, you best get it done this year.

There are several issues each side wants to bring to the table and the catwalking has already begun. Batterman stated the two sides could get a new CBA worked out "in a matter of weeks if the parties are on a common wavelength." The major issues are the NFLPA wanting an improved health care plan and the owners wanting a restructuring of revenue sharing. The interesting part is the underlying issues played out in disguise. Smith is under the gun with retired NFL players and it is not due to his doings, but the former NFLPA chief, the late Gene Upshaw. The NFLPA is pushing the health care issue (and rightly so) but will be sidelining a strong resistance to giving up any of their revenue sharing percentage. The owners, who are screaming they are not making money (why does this sound familiar) will propose an 18-game schedule with a sliding scale for the extra income generated. The NFLPA would undoubtedly counter with increased salaries. Let the games begin.

There is a backstory for every issue each side brings to the table. Health care, revenue sharing, television rights and merchandise profits are each hot topic issues. But if you tear open the curtain and see everything for what it is, we have millionaires fighting with billionaires.

The NFL suffered work stoppages in 1982 and 1987. Since that time, every 4-5 years fans of one of the four major American sports seems to be held hostage due to a lockout by one side or the other. On this note, I would wish to conclude with a quote from a 2005 movie, V for Vendetta.

"We have to let them know why they need us (sic)"
-Adam Sutler.


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