Willing to Walk Away?

Jonathan Tamari pens an excellent mini-profile of Trent Cole:

“I might play into another contract,” Cole said. He added that he hopes to finish his career as an Eagle - “When they cut me, I’m, ‘OK. I’m ready to retire,’ ” - but then hedged when asked if he could ever play elsewhere.

“No,” he said, “unless the money’s right, for real.”

That’s a strange quote Tamari picked up, about being willing to retire when the Eagles let him go. Cole gives the money qualifier after, but it’s still an odd insight into the mindset of the Eagles’ stellar but typically reserved defensive end.

So Long, Weapon X

Brian Dawkins announced his retirement this morning:

The Lord has blessed me to play in the NFL for 16 years. I would like to thank the Eagles & the Broncos 4 believing In me. I would like 2 thank all my teammates & Coaches that I have been blessed 2 go to battle with. Along with u, the fans 4 helping make my career 1 that i have enjoyed tremendously. In other words. I am announcing my retirement from the NFL. #BBTB

Dawkins always approached the game as a battle, and for that he’ll be remembered in Philly as the ultimate warrior.

Dawkins Considering Retirement

Paul Domowitch:

Brian Dawkins said yesterday that he hasn’t yet made a decision on whether he wants to play a 17th NFL season.

The 38-year-old, nine-time Pro Bowl safety, who has played the last three seasons in Denver after leaving the Eagles as a free agent in 2009, missed four of the Broncos’ last five games, including both of their playoff games, with a neck injury. He will be a free agent in March.

The Eagles defense still hasn’t recovered from losing Dawkins and Jim Johnson after the 2008 season. Those were good times.

McNabb in Arizona? It could happen.

Kurt Warner and Donovan McNabb

So with the news earlier today that Kurt Warner is likely headed out to pasture, there has been speculation a plenty that Donovan McNabb could end up out in Arizona. A number of logical signs point to the Cards as a possible destination with Warner gone:

  • Arizona is a team built to win now. They don’t want to struggle with QBs who can’t get the ball to demi-god Larry Fitzgerald. McNabb is not as accurate as Warner, but he would be downright dangerous with deep passes to those weapons. It could be Eagles c. 2004.
  • Cardinals management clearly has no problem with older, more injury-risk signal-callers.
  • McNabb, who lives in Arizona during the offseason, would probably welcome an extension to stay there long term (as he will want an extension wherever he goes).

The only downsides, as far as I can see:

  • The Cards already — in theory — have their QB of the future in Matt Lienart. Maybe its time to hand over the keys.
  • I’m sure the Eagles, all things equal, would rather not trade McNabb to a contender in the NFC.

The last point is tough to consider. Obviously it would be great to get the same value from Cleveland or some other team in the AFC, but the Vikings and Cardinals both have reason to get in on this action. To limit trading Donovan to AFC teams (or non-playoff NFC teams) would also destroy the Eagles front office’s ability to get the best possible return. It would be similar to the Blue Jays refusal to trade Roy Halladay to the Yankees or Red Sox — even when those two teams offered by far the best prospect packages. I doubt Andy will be that stupid.

The former point is the more interesting question. We’ll see how Ken Whisenhunt describes Lienart when he’s questioned about Warner’s retirement. If the coach is confident in the backup, he’ll come out strong that Lienart is ready to step in. But remember, Whisenhunt never drafted Lienart — that was Denny Green. And while Lienart played fairly well in the one game he started last year, he didn’t show nearly the type of promise Kevin Kolb displayed in his two starts.

The Verdict: I anticipate the Cardinals will inquire about McNabb. They would be foolish not to considering how well he would fit in. (And no, unlike Adam Caplan, I don’t buy that McNabb can only go to a West Coast Offense.) But ultimately it seems that Lienart will be the guy to step in. He seems like he deserves a shot, especially considering that trying him out won’t cost Arizona their #1 or at least #2 pick.

Breaking: Kurt Warner to Retire — Donovan to Arizona?

Kurt Warner and Matt Leinart

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting:

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner will announce Friday at a news conference whether he plans to retire, according to a Cardinals source.

The widespread assumption — one that hasn’t changed for weeks — is that the 38-year-old Warner will step away from the game.

One possible indication of Warner’s intentions is that he already has begun gathering his family so they can attend Friday’s news conference at the team’s training facility, according to sources.

That sounds pretty convincing. Warner wouldn’t hold a press conference at all if he were just going to keep playing.

Obviously everyone’s wondering if this makes Arizona a likely spot for McNabb to be sent. I’ll be back later with more analysis.