SportsNation Blog Archives
Donovan McNabb
On Tuesday, "First Take" discussed Donovan McNabb's potential future in the NFL. The former Pro Bowler has been working out heavily in the offseason and has lost a significant amount of weight, leading Andy Reid to endorse him for teams looking for a veteran quarterback. Our "First Take" panel is unconvinced; Merrill Hoge would take him if his team's Plan A fell apart, while Israel Gutierrez would stay away from him. What's your take?
On Thursday, "First Take" debated Donovan McNabb's Hall of Fame credentials. McNabb said in an interview that he would vote for himself for the Hall of Fame -- not a surprising comment from any player, but McNabb has an actual Hall of Fame case. Is he off-base, or would you put him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? What's your take?
It's been a tough couple of years for Donovan McNabb, as the veteran quarterback has struggled to prove that he can still be an effective starter in the NFL. His latest release came at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings, who weren't about to commit to him long-term with Christian Ponder behind center. There are several teams that need a quarterback, but will McNabb's declining skills keep him out of uniform?
- "saw this coming the second they benched this man. at this point it's pretty much over " -- SN commenter stvnmontgomery24
- "McNabb might have a little left in the tank to help out the Bears but I can't see him being a starting QB next year. " -- SN commenter UnoWhoMe
Would you want to sign McNabb?
Donovan McNabb hasn't had a good season in a while, but he hasn't had a great deal of offensive talent to work with, either.
What do you make of McNabb's career?
McNabb was an excellent quarterback for a very long time, but a lack of championships really stands out on his résumé.
Which team could benefit?
The Bears, Cowboys and Texans all need quarterbacks, although the Cowboys have said they'd decline his services.
- Vote: Has Mike Shanahan hurt the Redskins this season with some high-profile moves?
- Rank 'Em: Where do Donovan McNabb (and Rex Grossman) rank among quarterbacks?
Maybe Donovan McNabb didn't pass his two-minute conditioning test? As Matt Mosley blogs this morning, at least the silver lining of a messy situation for the Redskins is that we have a controversy in D.C. that doesn't involve Albert Haynesworth (or, we might add, Gilbert Arenas).
You know the details by now. With Sunday's game against the Lions still up for grabs in the final minutes, Mike Shanahan pulled McNabb and replaced him with Rex Grossman. The coach's explanation was that he felt Grossman was essentially a better fit for the two-minute drill (he learned it last year under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan in Houston).
But as the Raiders continue putting up the most points this side of Auburn or Oregon, did the Redskins pick the wrong quarterback in the offseason?
“I watched a recent game where McNabb was throwing behind and at the feet of many of his receivers. People forget he did this on a regular basis in Philly. It's no surprise that his QB rating is so low. Could it be that is why Shanahan pulled him (and why Reid dumped him)?
” -- botobob
“reality check - mcnabb shouldn't have been pulled at that point in the game. BUT, he has gone from not one of the most accurate to a very inaccurate passer. save me the garbage about sacks, every qb gets hit and dumped these days. he's hit a bunch of fifty yard plus passes , all of which should have been tds but for the ball being late and underthrown.
” -- mbdm59
- Vote: Will Donovan McNabb leave Philadelphia with a win in Week 4?
- Rank 'Em: Is Michael Vick leading the MVP race after three weeks?
Donovan McNabb said Tuesday that he anticipates hearing cheers in his return to Philadelphia, a rather optimistic bit of spin, even by the standards of his new home in the nation's political hub. This may not be LeBron James returning to Cleveland, but even if it wasn't McNabb's decision to leave, one Philly fan suggests a rough homecoming looms.
- "He'll get booed and I'll remember why I'm sometimes I'm embarrassed to be a Philly sports fan. People forget that he was the QB for the best 11 year stretch in franchise history. If you wanted him gone b/c you think you went as far as you could with him, fine, I completely understand that and lean towards agreeing. But to not realize he was the best QB in Eagles history and to not pay him the respect he deserves would be weak. I hope I'm wrong." -- captainsac
But will McNabb hear more cheers in Philadelphia than Michael Vick did last season in his return to Atlanta? Redskins fans can only hope this homecoming works out as well as that 34-7 Eagles romp, in which Vick produced a pair of touchdowns.
freddie (idaho)
everyone keeps talking about the reception McNabb will get in PA, but will he perform well enough to win or are the Eagles better?
Chris Mortensen
I think it's going to be a heck of a game. Brian Dawkins told me in August to watch out for McNabb vs. Eagles because "he always plays his best with a chip on his shoulder." The key is whether Eagles defense can show some improvement. Also, something I'm anxious to see is that Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett -- who has come under fire recently -- is very familiar with Vick from his years as the Saints head coach. But this is a different Vick with different weapons. Full transcript
Matthew (Columbia, NJ)
With Vick at QB, do the Eagles have a shot at winning 11 games this year?
NFC East blogger Matt Mosley
I think that's a little optimistic. Let's see how he does against a good team before we get too carried away. The Lions and Jags don't count. I think they've combined for one win. The Packers saw Vick for a half but they hadn't had a chance to prepare for him. Full transcript
- Rank 'Em: How many NFC East quarterbacks are in your overall top 10?
- Rank 'Em: Is Donovan McNabb one of the best quarterbacks without a ring?
It's not Stephen Strasburg arriving like the second coming of Walter Johnson and quickly departing as the second coming of Kerry Wood. It's not the Capitals turning the NHL's best regular season into a first-round disaster against the Canadiens. It's not even Gilbert Arenas bringing some unwanted show-and-tell items to work.
Did we mention it's a lousy time to be a sports fan in the nation's capital?
But pardon Redskins fans if they're a little skittish about news Donovan McNabb may not be healthy for a Week 1 showdown with the rival Cowboys. The NFC East isn't short on big-name quarterbacks, but do any of them mean more to a team than McNabb?
SportsNation offers multiple opinions.
- "If Donovan had the luxury to sling the ball around the field without worrying about what happened after he threw it, he, too, could be Brett Farve. But, see, Donovan values the ball, as he was taught to do. Meaning he will never LOSE the game for his team. Shanahan is licking his chops thinking about the possiblites with McNabb once he gets a running game, something McNabb has never really had." -- SN commenter yodaspeaks
- "You make a good point. McNabb typically will not be the reason you lost a game, I agree. Unfortunately, he rarely is the reason you win a game either. He is a good quarterback, and a safe quarterback. But with 2 minutes left in the game, ball on your own 20, I can think of a lot of QBs Id rather have in than McNabb. MAYBE that was just the Eagles, I dont know." -- SN commenter ChevyRulerSS69
Omar (Toronto)
Should Andy Reid be worried if this kolb experiment does not go according to plan. It's not as if mcnabb was traded because his performance dropped off, mcnabb was playing at a high level. Reid and company compared mcanbbs amazing career to kolbs two good games.
NFC East blogger Matt Mosley
It's quite that simple. You had three quarterbacks heading into the final year of their respective contracts. It wasn't like Andy Reid sat there and compared two games to McNabb's excellent body of work. He just looked at the roster and had to make a tough call. I think it will be the right thing long term, but there will be some bumps along the way. Full transcript
Pete (NY)
Is this the year Eli breaks out and plays like an elite QB not just a very good one?
Scouts Inc.'s Matt Williamson
Bro, he was great last year. He really was. I would expect I higher run % than last year, as the Giants D will be stronger in 2010, so there will be less catch up. Full transcript
- Rank 'Em: Which old faces in new places will fare best this season?
- Vote: Which team has the edge between the Eagles and Redskins this season?
- Chat: ESPN.com NFL Insider KC Joyner takes your questions, 4 ET
By our count (all right, actually, it's Google's count), it's a mere 194 miles from Bethlehem, Pa., home of Eagles training camp, to Ashburn, Va., home of Redskins training camp. So if you are a fan from King of Prussia, Pa., who really wants to show support for Donovan McNabb, how about you show some commitment and get on the highway heading south to Virginia? Of course, if you just want a little attention, follow Jim Devlin's lead.
Devlin showed up Wednesday morning to watch Eagles practice, via a sideline pass obtained from a friend, wearing a replica of Donovan McNabb's Washington Redskins jersey, only to have security guards ask him to remove it. Devlin did, but is it fair or foul for the Eagles to be so touchy about a guy they traded?
Taking things in a slightly different direction, one SportsNation commenter suggests the real issue here is why anyone cares what jersey McNabb wears these days.
- "He was a beast the early part of the decade, but since has been an inconsistent, injury prone, quarterback with a relatively fragile ego. In addition, his [effectiveness] has been limited, because he can no longer scramble the way he used to, partly due to injuries, partly due to his own [stubbornness], and partly because he has let himself put on pounds for some reason." -- SN commenter FatsMcDrucker
UberSamoyed (Frisco,TX)
You've had the whole chat to think about it. Answer the Muppet question!If all four head coaches were Muppets, then who would they be? For this answer, Muppets from "Sesame Street" and "The Muppet Show" are in play...
NFC East blogger Matt Mosley
Uber, it's an outstanding question. I'll answer it despite your efforts to second-guess everything I've written on the Beast! :)Coughlin: Oscar the Grouch (easy)Wade: Bert from "Bert and Ernie" fame...He just sort of has Bert's laidback approach.Reid: Fozzy Bear. I could've said something else from the Muppets, but I'm in a nice mood.Mike Shanahan: Definitely Kermit. Full transcript
We wonder if Donovan McNabb would still be eager to see his new team bring in Terrell Owens now?
The Redskins have the quarterback they want, and it appears they have the quarterback DeSean Jackson didn't want. Harkening back to T.O. at his Philly finest, the current Eagles receiver wasn't exactly diplomatic in expressing that he was "happy" when his team made the move to trade McNabb and hand the job to Kevin Kolb.
But where there is hot air, is there fire? Jackson and the T.O. of old might not be the most credible witnesses against McNabb, but as ESPN.com NFC East blogger Matt Mosley suggests, Jackson might not be the only current Eagles player who wasn't eager to come to McNabb's defense. So is it possible McNabb wasn't the victim of Philly petulance -- from fans and teammates -- he was painted to be?
Cosmo (Anytown, USA)
Can you remember a stranger QB-city relationship than McNabb and Eagles' fans? Do you think having that behind him will result in a better season for McNabb in Washington?
Football Scientist K.C. Joyner
Cosmo, you know I'm a fan of the Philly fans, but let's be blunt about this - they've always had strained relationships with their QBs. Ron Jaworski took them to a Super Bowl and the fans stlll bashed him mercilessly. Washington fans will certainly back McNabb more but I'm not sure that will lead to better on-field play. Full transcript
“Jackson is quoted in this article as saying he didn' think they lost anything. I don't see that as negative towards McNabb as much as confidence in Kolb.
” -- yopauly73
“It still blows my mind that you guys openly burn McNabb and aren't grateful for him being the BEST QB IN YOUR FRANCHISE HISTORY. No wonder everyone hates Philadelphia the city, the people, and the fans.
” -- FightForOlDC
- Vote: Among top receivers, would you rather have T.O. or the other guy?
- Rank 'Em: Is Owens one of the five best wide receivers of all time?
- More from ESPN.com: James Walker's AFC North blog on Roethlisberger's contract
It's not quite Simon and Garfunkel (or even Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, for that matter), but reports that Donovan McNabb is lobbying his new team to consider signing his old nemesis, Terrell Owens, made for juicy reading Tuesday. But drama aside, how much football sense would the move make?
A majority of SportsNation voters believe T.O. is still one of the top 20 receivers in the NFL. At least, they believe that in theory. Earlier this week, SportsNation ranked 20 of the league's best receivers not named Owens. And when you pit T.O. against the guys at the bottom of those rankings, he starts to look the worse for wear.
Marc (City of Brotherly Love)
Happy Green Day!!!!! Where have you been hiding at Jeremy? Which is crazier? The Eagles brass saying they are not rebuilding or McNabb lobbying for TO in DC? Great to have you back buddy!!!
Scouts Inc.'s Jeremy Green
Probably McNabb lobbying for TO in Washington. Sounds bizzare but he is right in that at least on the field he would fill a void in the offense. Full transcript
“TO no longer has the skills that make him desirable to teams. Now he actually has to quit acting like a self centered jerk and try and play nice so maybe, just maybe a team with a shot at winning a few games show some interest. Under it all, TO can't change who he is, though, which is a team chemistry killing cancer. TO=Team Obliterator!
” -- SeaDog73
“Wow. Washington signing T.O. to play with McNabb would be the ultimate "salt in the wound" moment for us Philly fans.
” -- rodeojones000
Philadelphia fans, rejoice: The quarterback who was perhaps your most successful ever has left for a division rival that could really use a successful QB. Congratulations?
That's right; after months of speculation and posturing, the Eagles have traded Donovan McNabb to the Washington Redskins. You might recall that the Redskins have had a bit of a problem scoring points and Jason Campbell just was not cutting it, so the move might pay dividends for Washington. Now, admittedly, very few people see McNabb winning a Super Bowl any time soon, but that question was asked when McNabb was expected to go to a team like, say, the Bills or Raiders. The Redskins have talent, experience and now a legitimate quarterback. McNabb's career started with boos at the draft; will it finish with cheers in the nation's capital?
“I loved Mcnabb and wish him the best. I really do. He is a very good QB, but hasn't been the same since he tore his ACL. He will no doubt upgrade your QB position, but like you saw last year on the Eagles, without a good o-line he will struggle.
” -- utley20
“McNabb is not some schlubb. He is a very good quaterback, and no one wants to really see him go, but we don't mind it here in philly. As its been said here - the problem is McNabb loves to win, but doesn't hate to lose. The great ones always hate to lose.
” -- phishdeli7
“This is a joke. McNabb is NOT a very good quarterback, and has even LESS weapons on the Skins. They'll finish LAST again in the division, and are definitely not "co-favorites". What a joke.
” -- sportyguyusa
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