Incites | A McNabb trade (in theory)

One of Incites' most important roles in the media mix called Philadelphia is to pass along stories that are under-reported elsewhere.

So while cautioning you that this scenario is strictly the inner thought of one of the area's most sage football observers, here's one compelling theory:

The recent drafting of quarterback Kevin Kolb could mean that Donovan McNabb will be traded before the 2007 season.

A few observers have opined that McNabb will be moved after the coming season. But here's a scenario that has him moving before September.

The Chicago Bears are ready to win the Super Bowl. They might have won it last year except for a glaring weakness at quarterback. Before the ever-popular "window" closes, the Bears need a quality QB to kick them over the hump.

This scenario obviously depends on two things. One, that McNabb is physically ready to play on Week 1 of the 2007 season. Two, that Chicago is convinced McNabb is their best available QB option.

(The fact that McNabb is from Chicago is, in my mind, irrelevant. The Bears would be just as interested in an available quality veteran if he were from Portland, Tucson or Montreal.)

But the key to this scenario is Bears linebacker Lance Briggs, who has said publicly that he will never play for Chicago again and who refused to report to minicamp on Friday.

Briggs is, arguably, the best weakside linebacker in the game and is only 26.

The question most Eagles fans are asking right now is: Why would the Bears make that deal?

It would give them a chance to save face, by sending Briggs where the team wants to send him and not be seen as having Briggs dictate to them. Plus, they would get a vital component of any Super Bowl team in exchange for a player who says he won't show up.

The Eagles, of course, would then have rebuilt their defense to the point where it could carry an offense managed by A.J. Feeley or Kelly Holcomb, while awaiting the development of Kolb.

If you asked the Eagles about this they would, naturally, laugh it off. The key for the Birds in any trade scenario is to appear totally neutral while listening to offers. It's always best to have the player everybody else wants, then choose the best offer.

Is it going to happen? Right now, it's just a thought. But if McNabb shows up in July and begins tearing up training camp, the offers are sure to soon follow.

Trivia time. What are the real first names of Indy 500 icons A.J. Foyt and Parnelli Jones?

On the move. A lot of fascinating ideas are percolating through the active minds of the NFL's big shots and one of the most interesting concerns moving the annual draft.

A "sporting event" that consists largely of watching a guy in a suit read names off index cards has become one of the nation's hottest reality shows.

And without the glitter of Dancing With the Stars or the tacky sleaze of The Bachelor. Go figure.

Anyway, the draft is now so big the NFL is on the verge of moving the first round to a Friday night in prime time.

The first step will come this week at the annual owners meeting when commissioner Roger Goodell gets feedback from the powerful competition committee on shortening the time between picks.

The draft is going to a Friday night. Book it.

What is getting less attention but might actually be more fun is a proposal to hold the draft in the city that owns the first pick.

Think about the circus in the arena when the team uses the No. 1 pick on a guy the fans don't like.

Think about the tumult if the team holding the No. 1 pick actually traded it away.

It would be the live-TV version of the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan.

FYI. Future Hall of Famer Roger Clemens is scheduled to start for the Trenton Thunder, the Yankees' double-A affiliate, on Wednesday. The gates at Waterfront Park will open at 4:30 p.m.

On that same day, Ryan Howard is scheduled for a rehab start for the single-A Lakewood BlueClaws, who play at 11:05 a.m. Howard also is scheduled to play in the 6:35 game the next day.

Getcher popcorn, as a famous football player once said.

History in the making. Johan Santana allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings Thursday night, the 100th straight start in which the Minnesota lefty has pitched at least five innings. Santana's 100-start streak of going at least five innings is the fourth-longest such run in the last 50 years. Only Curt Schilling (147), David Cone (145) and Bob Gibson (112) have been more consistent.

Trivia answer. Anthony Joseph Foyt and Rufus Parnell Jones.