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On the Mark: McNabb partly at fault for his situation
Murky future in Philly?
Andy Reid is sticking with Donovan McNabb ... for now. Watch the embattled coach discuss his QB decision .
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Make no mistake: McNabb's benching was richly deserved. Nine days ago, in a game that would go into the books as the NFL's first tie in six years, he threw three interceptions and fumbled in overtime. After the game, Philadelphia's 10-year starter famously declared not knowing a game could end in a tie. Then, in two quarters of action against the Ravens on Sunday, he was 8-for-18 for 59 yards, with two interceptions and a fumble.
Great quarterbacks — and perhaps McNabb's curse is having everybody believe he should've been one — go through tough times. He's allowed to have a bad stretch. But the most damning evidence coming out of Philadelphia is what's not coming out of Philadelphia. It's not just the lack of love from the fans. It's McNabb's teammates. Where are they? Where's the show of support? I hate to invoke Terrell Owens here, but is there a single guy who stood up and declared, in effect, that's my quarterback?
For whatever reason, or maybe for a lot of reasons, McNabb inspires something less than fierce loyalty. It's a shame, really. Give him a mulligan on the "I didn't know you could have a tie" line. Also acknowledge that he's had to put up with knuckleheads of every stripe, from the aforementioned Owens to Rush Limbaugh. What's more, he's never really embarrassed himself, or anyone else for that matter. Finally, let's concede McNabb's unmatched talent for selling cans of Campbell's Soup. But as Andy Warhol could've told him, that alone doesn't qualify you as a leader of men.
You want to know who has his back? You should also ask whom he's made better. Who among the Philadelphia Eagles has Donovan McNabb made a better football player?
Blame Reid's pass-happy play-calling if you must. Blame the lack of supporting stars. But blame McNabb, too. It's a mistake to continue to cast McNabb as a passive observer in the drama that inevitably swirls around him. He shouldn't be so helpless. He is, after all, the quarterback.
He's put up great numbers. But with the last two Sundays in evidence, he remains as capable of mediocrity as brilliance. Philadelphians recall too many seasons that ended on McNabb interceptions.
Now the Eagles are almost four years removed from their loss in the championship round. McNabb has missed bunches of games with a sports hernia and a torn ACL. Still — and this is just a fact — the best and most inspiring quarterbacking the team has seen since their loss Super Bowl loss to New England was done by Jeff Garcia.
By virtue of talent and tenure, McNabb should be an icon, at least in Philadelphia. I understand that he's never delivered a victory parade. But neither did Allen Iverson, a man more flawed, perhaps, but also more loved and respected.
Iverson's passion was palpable, though. McNabb's is not. Maybe that's part of it, too, a crisis of demeanor.
Whatever the case, McNabb's birthday coincides neatly with the beginning of his end in Philadelphia.
Said Andy Reid, "I think I know Donovan better than anyone in this room."
But still not well enough.
On the Mark
Don't tell me that the prospect of a Jets-Giants Super Bowl is too far-fetched.
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| No jokes. No lines. Just enjoy. (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images) |
I mean, what were the odds of Turtle spending the weekend with Meadow Soprano?
Oops. Oklahoma just scored again.
Not for nothing, but did you get the feeling Texas Tech was playing without shoulder pads?
Quick, what's the difference between the Lions and the Thanksgiving Day floats?
The floats have a better chance of hitting someone.
Read in USA Today that Michael Jordan — the public face, chief executive and part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats — is in Dubai.
And not expected back until December.
Basically, Axl Rose is more accessible.
Charlie Weis says that Notre Dame "has gone from a crummy team to a decent team."
This after losing at home to Syracuse, which is two rungs below crummy.
Of course, this is the same Charlie Weis who assured his players and the press that Notre Dame would have a "decided schematic advantage" against every opponent.
Already the oddsmakers have USC favored by 29½.
And you've got to wonder what that number would be without the schematics.
All that said, Weis would be Coach of the Year in the AFC West.
Now that Pacman is out of rehab and fully healed, it's only a matter of time before Jerry Jones asks Bush to grant him an executive pardon.
There's this rumor that the Major League Soccer season has finally come to an end.
"I looked it up," said a friend. "It began before baseball, March 29."
March 29? I ask. Of what year?
No NASCAR, no MLS, no Davis Cup. How will we ever get by?
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| At what point did boxers say, "You know who has a great fashion sense? Pro wrestlers." (John Gichigi / Getty Images) |
Liked what I saw Saturday from Ricky Hatton, but the girlfriend couldn't have been more impressed with Brooklyn's Own, Paulie Malignaggi, and his electric blue loincloth.
"That last time I saw an outfit like that," she said, "was 1982, Halloween in West Hollywood."
She would've died for Hector Camacho.
It's been two weeks since the Yankees offered CC Sabathia $140 million, and if I didn't know better I'd think he might not want to play in New York.
I don't know if Mark Cuban has committed any insider trading violations, but why should Cubs fans have to be punished even more?
In a related development, Oakland A's owner Lew Wolff thinks the baseball playoffs should be single-elimination.
Such a proposal would find great support on the North Side of Chicago.
I mean, why prolong the agony?
You know the NBA season isn't off to a great start when the only thing people can talk about in 2008 is 2010.
My knee surgery couldn't have gone worse: no pain, no sympathy, no drugs.
Ed Tapscott, among the smartest, most charming and big-hearted guys I know, has just been made coach of the Washington Wizards.
But, hey, bad things happen to good people.
Member Comments
McNabb in my opinion is over rated yes they win the east yes they go to playoffs if that what you want and will settle for then hes your man I think in all the years he in the league 1 superbowl apperance.......come on..and gets sick to boot........hes gotta go and Kolb is worst
jimmyparrot200812/31/2008 22:12:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
First of all, McNabb started off his career in Phiily by being booed from a bunch of drunks who proudly call themselves the Dirty Thirdy and were led by a host from WIP610 radio...some bozo named Cataldi. They wanted Ricky Williams instead. Now there's a stellar NFL career. Then he's been coached (mishandled) by Andy Reid who's stubburness is legendary. This is a coach who is so organized yet never understood that it's better to have weopons and not need them, then to need them and not have them. He also refuses to acknowledge that the run sets up the pass and vice versa. If Mcnabb were in a diffent system he would have had a few rings by now, but Reid has failed miserably in his refusal to coach to his players stengths and instead insisted on a game plan that McNabb's short comings were exposed and his stengths ignored or just passed over in spite of them. Mcnabb on the other hand has never been a true leader. He's more like being just one of the guy's who happens to play quarterback. He's a little goofy and excitable but still very good at what he does. He's played some legendary games for Philly and has accomplished some feats that no other QB could have done. There's a lot of thing's that could have beeen done differently and all of the players in this had a roll in it, so McNabb isn't alone in this drama.
wbfo11/29/2008 10:24:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Once again, so called expert, who at best, played sandlot football. McNabb has has no help as far as receivers, his whole time in Philly, OH, the one time he does, he takes them to the super bowl. He puts up 48 points with a good game plan, Andy is clearly the problem in Philly!!!
bfoster4011/28/2008 12:54:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Mark-your pic looks like the mug shot of a sociopath. How did you television operate last night? That was also McNabb's fault. The problem for him is trying to be something he is not--a passing quarterback. When he mixes it up, he is great. When Andy forces him to pass only, things are horrendous. That tells me that Reid is the larger problem, no pun intended.
bencas11/28/2008 12:24:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Once again McNabb shows that with a sensible game plan he is one of the top qb's in the league. Does he play the oh woe is me card a little too much? Sure he does. Has he been very inconsistent this year sure he is. That doesn't change the fact that he can still be a quality starting quarterback in the league with the right game plan and players and thats all that matters. Over-all D McNabb has been a class act his entire career and a very good qb. Suck that down haters!
brannigan7311/28/2008 11:28:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
i should have said this earlier.. but i will say it now... fox sports writers are a bunch of drama story creating a s s e s!
gold_green_brewer11/28/2008 5:40:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Let's blame McNabb. Wow, very original Mark. Let's not forget that throughout his career he has had recievers that are terrible, a coach that cannot make in game adjustments, incessant bad playcalling and that he plays in a city where many fans want him to fail.<br /><br />Talk about the superbowl, nevermind that despite the game being close, the coach abandoned the run, the interior line couldn't block, his best WR was on one leg, his punter couldn't get any field position, his best TE was injured and that the final interception came of LJ Smith's fingertips.<br /><br />Oh but let's blame McNabb. Granted he hadn't played well in Baltimore, but the game was 10-7. He deserved at least one series in the second half. Speaking of which, did you notice that the offense quit on the team, look at Westbrook and LJ Smith's tackle attempts on Reed's TD return. They knew that Donovan shouldn't have been benched and played accordingly. Also the team concceded 24 4th quarter points, is it just a coincidence that their leader was out?
11/28/2008 3:51:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
If my comment is not allowed - then do not ever send me one iota of sales pitches. Remove my name from your mailing list, email list, and everything else - otherwise I will report you to the sec for deceptive business practices.
frater22211/27/2008 23:55:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Sorry butt farves tears get in the way when I read about drama queens
frater22211/27/2008 23:54:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Wow - you donovan a Drama Queen - then Brett F. must be the Drama Empress. Are you just attracted to Bret or what? you can set your clock to when he starts telling the world he plans to retire - even his fans are sick of it. What a whiney baby - is he that needy for attention? Call his mama and ask her why she never spent time with him.
frater22211/27/2008 23:52:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I didn't re elect any criminal. And, Aikmen is prejudice against the Saints. Yes, he made a mistake he opened his mouth. The MVP vote doesn't come until the end of the year, not in the middle. Furthermore, Brees is the best QB in the NFL and second best is his under study Rivers. Sorry those are the facts. Lastly, I never voted for Jefferson ever! He was re elected by people who no longer live in New Orleans and the dead.
Saintsdiehard11/27/2008 18:59:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
hey saints dude chillout and suck a head or something cher..aikmen can make a mistake can't he....Lord knows you bunch of rubes have....just for instance, re-electing criminals every frecking election, cause why, cause why, your idiots!
cameltoenwood11/27/2008 17:56:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Aikman should shut up, he said the Saints are 5-6 when in reality they are 6-5 and the league MVP shold be Brees and that vote doesn't happen until after the season, soif the Saints win out they will be 11-5, and then Brees should win
Saintsdiehard11/27/2008 17:49:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Are you kidding me, McNabb one of the best? Drew Brees is the best quater back in the NFL. McNabb is a cry baby who blames the media
Saintsdiehard11/27/2008 17:47:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
McNabb is one of the best QB's in the league, he maybe in a slump, Reid's play calling ain't helping, and there's injured players and lack-luster offence to deal with too.<br /><br />It's not all McNabb's fault, but I do think he may have become comfortable and needs to feel hungry for the starting job. Take some risks too and go back to his own style that made him great, run when you gotta run!
BoKnowsSports11/27/2008 13:54:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Not sure what your point is about Limbaugh since you are effectively saying the same thing he said that caused all the ruckus. And you do kind of look like you've been making love to an exhaust pipe...
gwlucas11/27/2008 9:22:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Hey Kriegel, get a new picture. You look like you have been making love to an exaust pipe.
waddy11/27/2008 6:32:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
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