Eight years ago, this city got off on the worst possible foot with the man who would become the best quarterback in Eagles history. The ramifications of draft day 1999 are indelible and deep, and let's just skip the debate over whether McNabb and his family should have moved on. What's done is done.
The issue here is whether anyone learns from mistakes, or whether we are doomed to keep repeating them until all the glaciers melt and we're washed away without ever witnessing another championship.
The issue here is not McNabb, it is Kolb.
He struck the right chord last week when asked about the televised reaction to his selection. There wasn't quite the angry mob that greeted McNabb's selection in '99, but there was enough booing for the Kolb family to notice. Kevin, preparing himself for the rest of his football career, calmed everyone down and told them it was time to grow "a thick skin."
Kolb had no idea at that moment just how thick it would have to be. If he caught wind of the ridiculous McNabb bashing that went on here all week, he's beginning to understand.
A quick review, for those of you who may have been engaged in other pursuits, such as earning a living, cutting the grass or spending quality time with your loved ones:
Eight days ago, the Eagles traded out of the first round of the draft - allowing Dallas to get the defensive end it coveted - and took Kolb with the 36th overall pick.
In his only known comment on the matter, McNabb reportedly e-mailed ESPN's Michael Smith that he was "befuddled" by the pick. Not angry or bitter or demanding a trade, but "befuddled." That would arguably place him among the 99 percent of fans, media, draftniks and classical oboists who were confused and surprised by the pick.
Since then, McNabb - who has never commented on an Eagles draft before his next scheduled availability at a May minicamp - has followed form and uttered not a peep about this draft.
