Random NFL Offseason Ramblings

For the Eagles, who managed to keep it together through three consecutive NFC Championship defeats, losing the Super Bowl may have proven to be just a little more than the team could take.

This offseason, the team finds itself infested with contract disputes, holdouts, and controversy. Defensive tackle Corey Simon and Pro Bowl running back Brian Westbrook (who had a combined 1,515 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns) have so far both turned their heads to the idea of signing one-year tender offers.

If that wasn't enough, often loud, seldom productive WR Freddie Mitchell was just released after nobody was willing to trade for him, and Terrell Owens wants to renegotiate his seven-year, $49-million contract that he has six years left on.

But things get worse. Since the Super Bowl ended, rumors have been flying about QB Donavan McNabb being sick and/or out of breath in the huddle at the end of the game. After Owens told the media he should get more money and not to blame losing the Super Bowl on him because he, "wasn't the guy who got tired in the Super Bowl," McNabb fired back, telling reporters, "I don't play games in the media ... I'm not going to sit here and to have a war of words. I'm a man at what I do. If there's a problem with anyone and they feel the need to lash out, they know how to get in touch with me and we can handle it like men."

While Donavan took the high road here, clearly, things aren't as rosy as they seemed between wide receiver and quarterback. Perhaps the players figure that losing the Super Bowl is the best this team is going to accomplish and it is all downhill from here. They might as well try to get paid while their name is still in the headlines before the slide into oblivion.

If the Eagles are the polar ice caps, surely then Kellen Winslow, Jr. is the North Korea of the NFL. Both keep reminding us of the devastating potential they have, but neither have actually shown the world anything. When Winslow broke his leg during his second professional game and missed the rest of his rookie season, it wasn't out of bounds to think that this might help curb his brashness and bring him down a peg or two.

I guess pegs really don't fit in square holes. Still rehabilitating his leg, Winslow decided this was a good time to start riding a motorcycle. Reportedly, Winslow ignored advice to take riding lessons. One doesn't need Carnac the Magnificent to find out what's in this envelope. Over a week has passed since the accident and the former first-round draft pick remains hospitalized after suffering internal injuries and damage to his right knee. Reports vary as to the severity of the injury and the Browns are only willing to say that they are "concerned" about his knee. Clearly, the team must be wondering about his head, too.

Finally, the "I'm George Bush and I don't want my country in the Kyoto Treaty" award goes to Green Bay Packers wide receiver Javon Walker, who did not report for mandatory minicamp. For as good as Brett Favre makes Walker look and all the leadership Favre puts on his back for that team, the least Walker could do is be focused on football for what might be Favre's final season. After all, Walker still has two years left on a six-year, $7.5-million contract.