Phil Simms always has a unique, insightful take when it comes to quarterbacks. The CBS lead analyst didn't disappoint when it came to weighing in on the Washington Redskins ' acquisition of six-time Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb from NFC East rival Philadelphia.

Simms said the move by arguably one of the game's most creative play callers in Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan to acquire a strong-armed veteran quarterback to energize his new team was a "tremendous play."

"I would think they all went into their little conference room at Redskins Park," Simms said, "shut the door, looked at each other and started jumping up and down, high fiving, jumping around and going 'Alright! We got him!'

"There is nothing that McNabb (age 33) has done on the field that shows me there's any sign of slowing down by him. This is a different offense Donovan's going to.

And Simms thought that Shanahan can probably utilize McNabb's talents better than the Eagles.

He was citing Shanahan's emphasis on the running game (a lesser priority in pass-heavy Philly) to set up play-action passing. But Simms took his analysis of Shanahan's ability to maximize McNabb's strong, downfield arm a step further when he observed that offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, the 30-year-old son of the two-time Super Bowl-winning former Denver Broncos head coach, has ascended into his own play-calling light. Simms cited Kyle Shanahan's success last season with Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub's 4,770-yard, 29-touchdown breakout season with the 9-7 Texans.

"I can't say that Mike's the best play caller anymore in the NFL because I think his son, Kyle, is better," the former New York Giants Super Bowl-winning quarterback said. "Look at Houston. Look at Matt Schaub. If Matt Schaub wasn't in Houston, everybody would be adoring him.

"The only reason we don't talk about him more is because of where it happened and the Texans didn't get to the playoffs."

As for the Eagles with Kevin Kolb? Don't dismiss them despite their offseason youth movement in purging nine players 27 or older.

"Philadelphia is really re-loading in a terrific way," Simms said. "(Eagles coach) Andy Reid and the organization has shown they know how to weather all these storms.

"It's a great move for the Redskins to get Donovan McNabb. But you know the Eagles have been in practice every day the last three years watching Kevin Kolb on the practice field and on tape.

Simms was impressed with Kolb after seeing him before the Eagles' 30-27 win against the Broncos in December.

"I remember walking away saying, 'Kevin Kolb can throw it,' " Simms said. " He's more athletic than I thought. He has good feet and he can really get it out of his hand.

"I was very impressed.

"He's a starting NFL quarterback."