Monte Owen Is Coming To Philadelphia - 1st QB trade since Gillette
By "Chet Durangley"

Pre-Season 2109 (Philadelphia) - The Philadelphia Eagles have always been a proud franchise, especially when it comes to the College Draft. And even more so when it comes down to their starting QuarterBacks. Tonight's acquisition of the New York Football Giants' famed QB, Monte Owen, marks only the second time in franchise history that the Birds will start a QB that they traded for.

'Kendrick Gillette is the only QB that has started for us that we acquired by a trade,' quotes a veteran Eagles insider, 'we traded Miles Pollara to the Tennessee Titans back in 2017 and we needed a starter in return - so Gillette was was shipped here along with three draft picks.'

The Eagles, as well as their fanbase, have long been noted for their loyalty toward their starting QBs that they've drafted. From Miles Pollara (2006-2016), to Art Tang (2046-2061), to Mike Green (2062-2074), to Greg Singleton (2074-2087), to Bill Mays (2088-2101).

'When we say you're our guy,' recalls longtime fan Louie Giamona, 'you're our guy until you retire.'

The Eagles have only started two QBs that they signed off the Free Agency Market ... 2024 QB Isaiah Emtman (from KC) for 2.02 million per (played 12 seasons for the Eagles) .... and 2020 QB Ron Rehder (from NYJ) for 1.50 million per (played 3 seasons in Philly).

Monte Owen has endured one of the roughest cities this league has. The New York City press can be downright nasty.

'If he can keep his head in the game, Philly will accept him right away,' says Giamona, 'and he could finish his career here.'

The Eagles shipped a 2nd round selection and two 4th round picks to the Giants in return for Owen. Not the kind of price you'd expect for a former #4 overall draft pick.

Much has been said about the Morgan Capper / Monte Owen rivalry. Now that Owen is out of New York and has a chance to settled himself into an offense that is much more dependent upon the run game and relies on short, safe passing routes, there's a good chance that Owen could revive his career. His career numbers aren't that far off from Capper. Given that amount of talent in Buffalo, many Philly sportswriters are impressed that Owen has thrown for the same amount of yardage as Capper, the same pass percentage, and just about the same amount of interceptions. The only big differences statistically is touchdowns and sacks.

Those two numbers say more about the talent around him.

Now that he's in Philadelphia with an established offensive line, the USAFL fans will get a chance to see if Owen can improve on his career numbers.