Season Post-Mortem, Week 14 Edition

Funny how all the flaws that were there all along on this team - flaws that nearly everyone overlooked, or wanted to overlook - have a way of becoming so apparent when you lose. As per usual, Phil Sheridan nails it:

"This wasted season is the result of a series of miscalculations. McNabb came back too soon to be at full go. That doesn't mean he will regain all the physical gifts that helped make him a special QB, but there is no doubt the injury hampered his mobility, which affected his decision-making, which in turn eroded his confidence.

McNabb's limitations were magnified by the lack of talent around him on the offense. Brian Westbrook is an exceptional player and will be excluded from another Pro Bowl only if there is a complete breakdown in the selection process. But the receivers, including injury-plagued tight end L.J. Smith, are ordinary at best.

Let's not even get into the play calling debate here. Even the most fervent anti-McNabb partisan will have to admit that Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg game planned and called plays as if McNabb were as healthy and effective as he was in 2004. So let's leave it at that: The coaches didn't factor in McNabb's physical limitations or the caliber of his wide receiving corps (which, of course, the coaches gave him in the first place).

Asked to carry the offense with one good leg and one good weapon, McNabb fell short. The only thing surprising about that is that anyone finds it surprising."