The Legacy of Donovan McNabb
Once Independence Day is over, football fans begin looking forward to the beginning of training camp. Only to wait another month and a half for the arrival of Week One as the long, hot summer sessions drag on and on.
So in this time of hurrying up and waiting, there is an opportunity to reflect on one of the most confounding careers in Philadelphia sports.
I'm talking about that of Donovan McNabb.
McNabb had many detractors from the time he arrived in Philadelphia as Andy Reid's first pick in the 1999 NFL draft. McNabb also found a lot of supporters when he was effective enough in the early going. By the end, though, most fans knew he was fool’s gold in a midnight green jersey.
Some would say that is a harsh description of McNabb. They would be wrong.
An NFL quarterback must be a leader. To be great, he must succeed in pressure situations, and win at least one Super Bowl. McNabb put up some good statistics at times, although in five of ten seasons in which he started at least thirteen games, he did not even throw 20 touchdowns.
But McNabb's main problem was not his statistical record. He was unable to lead because his oddball personality didn't hold up in the clutch.
When the pressure was on, he folded. Or vomited. When it really mattered, McNabb could unwittingly do whatever was necessary to lose. The Eagles came within three points of the Promised Land in 2005. If McNabb’s four Super Bowl turnovers hadn't been too much to overcome, he would have committed a fifth.
McNabb's supporters will point to times he seemed to display some semblance of toughness. Notably, he played well on an injured ankle in the second half of a regular-season game against the Cardinals in 2002, back when many still believed in his abilities.
McNabb could usually handle the regular season; it is the post-season that became the fertile ground of his unraveling. Overshadowing his performance in that 2002 game is that in the 2008 NFC Championship Game, which was played against those same Cardinals.
It was the last and clearest chance McNabb ever had to show what he was really made of, playing against a tough Cardinals team led by an invigorated Kurt Warner, who showed how great he truly was by driving the Cardinals to a late lead.
McNabb was given one last chance to lead his team downfield and tie the game. Like Warner, he too showed what he was really made of. He threw four consecutive incompletions, each farther over the head of his receiver than the last and the Eagles lost another conference championship in which they had been favored.
McNabb won a lot of regular season games on a team that won a lot of regular season games without him as well. Luminaries such as AJ Feeley, Jeff Garcia and even Koy Detmer benefited from that supporting cast. In his short career at the helm, Garcia had a better winning percentage than did McNabb within the same season.
If you judge a QB by his statistics, McNabb was decent. If you judge a QB by regular season record, McNabb was pretty good. If you judge a QB on his leadership, McNabb’s grade would be NA.
It was clear that Andy Reid knew what McNabb’s shortcomings were; Reid's most egregious mistake was believing his system was good enough to atone for them.
Reid thought that if he got the Eagles close enough, maybe they would get lucky and McNabb would not prevent them from winning The Big One. Super Bowl XXXIX showed clearly that McNabb was too heartless and gutless to ever deliver a ring.
If there are any fans left who do not believe that Reid propped up McNabb during his time in Philadelphia, they need only to look at what happened to him after he was traded.
He compiled a 6-13 record, throwing just 18 touchdowns in 19 games against 17 interceptions. Even more telling is that McNabb was jettisoned from two franchises, the Redskins and Vikings, after being demoted in favor of Rex Grossman, Jake Ponder, and Joe Webb.
Washington and Minnesota learned much more quickly what it took Eagles fans a decade to realize: that Donovan McNabb was, and always had been, a loser.
The 2008 Championship Game cemented it. The false bravado of an air-guitar celebration before a 2009 playoff blowout at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys glazed the cement, sealing in his losing legacy forever.
Reed Rothchild
8:00 am on Sunday, July 15, 2012
harsh, but decent points. Let's not forget the lack of top quality wide receivers during all those years. Yes, Super5 would still throw at their shoelaces 40% of the time but he deserves credit for giving the Eagles a chance to win each game regardless of the situation...during the regular season, in his "prime" years. McNabb's and Reid's career mirror each other and should be held in the same regard until and IF Reid ever wins the Lombardi trophy...which he won't. (I hope I am proved wrong) Go BIRDS!
Mike Diviney
9:14 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
He had a good enough supporting cast that other QB's won with it and they were still favored in 4 NFC Championship Games so... Uh, once separated, Donovan McNabb became unemployed, Reid won another division and is still an NFL Head Coach- not really mirroring anymore.
Jack Walden
12:34 pm on Sunday, July 15, 2012
I could not agree with your analysis more. I just can't understand why Andy Reid was so blind to his many shortcomings. I have to blame Reid for sticking with him so long. I fear he may go down the same road with Vick.
When Mc Nabb went to Washington, Shanahan caught on to his inadequacies right away and also noted that he was lazy in addition to all your other points.
Mike Diviney
9:16 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
Yup. They said the same thing in Minny, where he couldn't even last ONE SEASON. Reid was too far in once he realized McNabb's deficiencies were insurmountable, but he has to take the blame on that.
J D IN TENNESSEE
5:32 pm on Sunday, July 15, 2012
I am all in on the analysis as well. McNabb is the deference between good and great I understand Coach's loyalty....we are all guilty of that in life
Mike Diviney
9:16 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
True. The fact that he thinks he was great, just proves he doesn't even know what makes a player great.
Tim Zatzariny Jr.
5:36 pm on Sunday, July 15, 2012
I don't think it's fair to label McNabb a "loser" as a quarterback – without some real talent, he wouldn't have had a career in the NFL. But, he just wasn't a field general in the way that winning quarterbacks with a lot less athletic ability (Joe Montana, Joe Theisman, Terry Bradshaw) were.
Mike Diviney
9:17 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
He had a lot of talent and never had the leadership to win. Ergo, he was a loser.
Porterincollingswood
7:54 pm on Sunday, July 15, 2012
Judging by McNabb's inability to do anything after he left here, Reid deserves credit for building an ideal offense for #5's abilities and deficiencies. Was it going to win a big game? Nope. But it was capable of beating weaker opponents.
McNabb was a system QB. And he got a great system to work in.
Mike Diviney
9:18 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
Good call Porter. Perfect in the regular season so we didn't have to worry about his nerves becoming frayed and him throwing up or throwing worm-balls all of a sudden.
Matt Skoufalos
12:04 am on Monday, July 16, 2012
Remember when 1999 was supposed to be the quarterback draft class of the century? McNabb, Culpepper, McNown, Tim Couch, Akili Smith...McNabb looks like Warren Moon compared to those guys.
Also, but not entirely related: I was somewhat sympathetic to 5 because like Moon (and Randall Cunningham, and Kordell Stewart, and Michael Vick, and Tim Tebow) he was another of those "hybrid" quarterbacks who was supposed to be able to win with his feet as well as with his arm. He tried to become a pocket passer to lengthen his career, but he didn't have the accuracy for that. It's a shame.
As far as being a head case—we could talk for days about the Mama McNabb Chunky Soup commercials, the Rush Limbaugh scandal, the bizarre interviews, and the T.O. feud—he likely will still retire as the Eagles historical leader in several statistical categories:
Most Career Attempts (4,303)
Most Pass Completions (2534)
Most Passing Yards (29,320)
Most Passing Touchdowns (203)
Most Single-Season Completions (345, 2008 season)
Most Single-Season Yards (3,916, 2008 season)
Most NFC Championship Appearances (5)
Was Randall Cunningham more of a winner? Yes. Could a guy like Randall have won an SB with the '04/'05 team. Most definitely. Might he have made more SBs with the teams McNabb had? Quite possibly. Whose numbers will be there in the end? McNabb's.
Joe Flamingo
1:17 am on Monday, July 16, 2012
Great points. Either way, the past is the past. Now we have to make sure Vick stays healthy while the "Dream Team" 2, the best team in football, does not beat itself. GO EAGLES!!!!
Porterincollingswood
8:00 am on Monday, July 16, 2012
When Culpepper was in a system geared to his specific talents, he was arguably better than McNabb.
Didn't he make the Madden cover at one point?
Reed Rothchild
11:50 am on Monday, July 16, 2012
Porteralloverthecomments, If madden covers is what you're going on then Super5 is your man for 2006 and Culpepper was the man in the stone ages of 2002: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madden_NFL_06
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madden_NFL_02
Forget video game covers though. It's all about the Lombardi Trophy. Go Birds!
Mike Diviney
9:21 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
Who cares if his numbers are in some book a long time from now? Just means he played here a long time. Randall wasn't exactly Terry Bradshaw by the way. To highlight- his "most completions" and "most yards" in 2008 were great as they led up to another 4th quarter playoff collapse. What are people going to remember out of those 3?
Matt Skoufalos
1:25 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
Porter I just remember when they met for one Monday night game in 2003 or so and the Eagles walked all over the Vikings. Culpepper had a bunch of picks and a fumble in the Dome. Seemed to answer the question at the time for me anyway.
Porterincollingswood
1:59 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
His best seasons were better than McNabb's best seasons. Stat-wise, which of course isn't what its about. I just don't think he belongs in the same conversation as Akili Smith and Cade McNown.
Porterincollingswood
2:15 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
Granted, the "system" I am referring to was best summed up as:
"Hey, Daunte, throw it as far as you can down the field and let Randy run under it."
Mike Diviney
9:24 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
One game doesn't mean much. Culpepper's best stat year was great, but his career ended pretty quick.
Phil McConkey
2:01 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
I always thought McNabb was upper echolon (but not at the top) of the SECOND tier QB's in the league. But his biggest fault was him thinking he was funny because he wasn't. He has the Shaq syndrome
Mike Diviney
9:25 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
Man, you're right about that. When a guy who isn't funny doesn't realize it, it's painful and he was the posterboy for that.
JerseyDevil
2:24 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
So if McNabb won a Super Bowl you'd have a completely different opinion? Here's your sentence - To be great, he must succeed in pressure situations, and win at least one Super Bowl. By this logic Marino or Kelly weren't great QB's but Trent Dilfer was. Really? Jim McMahon was great? I hate the fact that the media today uses Super Bowls to define QB's. Super Bowls are about TEAM. All three, offense defense and special teams. And coaching and a certain amount of luck.
Mike Diviney
9:28 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
Read it again. My opinion is that he was inherently incapable of winning a Superbowl. He ALWAYS was detrimental enough that he would PREVENT the Eagles from winning. Kelly and Marino didn't get lucky, Dilfer did. McNabb was incapable of getting lucky. He would always find a way to avoid success because he was a loser. Read a little deeper as opposed to repeating my own sentences back to me. Thx.
Gary B
2:51 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjgpHSoXA3M
Matt Skoufalos
5:14 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
God, the quote about insanity--and the way nobody knows to whom it should be attributed--is a staple of every WIP call. It's on par with "it is what it is" for a remark that's entirely devoid of meaning. My favorite detail of the whole thing.
Gary B
8:21 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
I tend not to listen to WIP in regards to football commentary :) For reasons of keeping my sanity LOL ...But I believe my friend Ken's 'Insanity' reference was directed at both the fans and Andy Reid's inability to recognize 5's ineptness while at the same time being under some hypnotic spell that 5 would one day 'be the guy'. .....in hindsight we all now know Donovan never had 'it' and Andy is foolish.
John Hayes
3:48 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
I'll always respect DM. He is a classy guy and was a great representative for the team and for our city. I felt terrible for the way things turned out for him once he left the Eagles, but there's no question that it was the right thing for our team to do.
His legacy as a QB? The Eagles had a nice run of strong seasons, possibly once of the best runs during my lifetime. DM was a key part of that, but he was not the sort of QB who is going to carry a team to a Super Bowl win. Of course, there are teams good enough to win the big one without a marquis quarterback (86 Bears, recent Giants).
I hope he is able to play a few more games. But if not, I look forward to his visit to the Linc in 15-20 years when we can look back and appreciate how much he meant to this team and this city.
Phil McConkey
4:11 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
I think Eli has proven himself as a current marquis with the 2 superbowls and the runs behind them. And the 25 game winning drives in his career. He's not Brady, or Brees but comparing Eli to Jim McMahon.......you must have had a liquid lunch
Sean McCullen
5:59 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
I begrudgingly put Eli into that elite class of QBs. Never thought I'd say it. And I wasn't willing to do it after their first SB win over New England. But, after last year, you have not choice but to put him up there in the upper echelon. As much as it pains me to say that.
Mike Diviney
9:31 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
I also love that ubiquitious reference to the definition of insanity and that it is attributed to Joe Banner now. Wow, John Hayes, you felt terribly about how it turned out for McNabb? Sorry, but he it turned out how his ability dictated it would turn out once he didn't have Reid propping him up. That's the NFL man. Get it done or get out of town and he's been run out of 2 towns now.
Larry O'Doyle
8:14 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
Amen to all the points made in this article. Donovan Mcnabb is a world-class doofus. The word doofus derives from a special blend of the Scottish word doof (meaning "fool") and goofus (meaning "dumb or silly"). Can't think of a better combination of words to describe Mcnabb except maybe "boob" which is rooted in the flabby breasts bouncing beneath his jersey. He is and always will be a LOSER.
Mike Diviney
9:32 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
Amen Mr. O'Doyle.
Bo
9:58 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
I always thought Donovan was a square peg, in Reid's round hole offense. I agree with your overall assessment. Donovan need to feel a lot more comfortable than I assumed time passed and maturity would eventually have had him arrive at. It never happened, and a bit the same as the New York teams, specifically the Yankees, where some superstars just can't adapt, Donovan never could adjust to the spotlight of being the Eagles QB. The comedy he often used to deflect whatever away, yeah Mike I never got it either, and didn't like the edge he'd use with it all to often. That said, I can't entirely fault him, that's just who he is, and I guess we can assume now he never got over the booing at the draft. Here's a question, if you had to pick one of these QB's during their prime, to lead the Eagles right now, which one would it be, Vick, McNabb, Jaws or Randall. It'd be hard not to say #5.
Fabiola Et
10:00 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
I agree. Mcnabb was overrated!
Mike Diviney
8:19 pm on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
I'd take all of them over McNabb since my opinion is that he was incapable of winning a Superbowl. Yes, he had a horrible personality, in addition to some other problems. I can fault him for that when he's the QB of the Eagles and it hurts his ability to lead.
Bo
3:24 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Jaws went 18 for 38 for 291 and 1 TD & 3 INTs in his SB. Donovan also threw 3 INTs, but threw 3 TD's too, and went 30 of 57 for 357 yards. Donovan didn't have an RB close to as good as Wilbur was. The last INT McNabb threw was LJ Smith and his alligator arms, afraid to get hit. Jaws first pick of the game was his first pass and it was straight to Rod Martin, and started the Raiders at the Eagles 30. I still have nightmares about this play, as a 6 yr old, sitting in a Howard Johnson's hotel in the Poconos, and it was the biggest play of that Super Bowl. Jaws gift wrapped then handed that SB MVP to Rod Martin. I can't stand Jaws, and I think many other Eagles fans agree, great commentator, but couldn't have played any smaller, far smaller than McNabb, in the biggest game there is.
This first Eagles Super Bowls, and how bad the Eagles played, I cite as the reason I am such a rabid Eagles fan still searching for redemption and fulfillment, and our first Lombardi trophy. So yeah I am pissed at both for playing small, but for Christ-sake, a DB didn't win the MVP of McNabb's super bowl, moreover, Deon Branch smoked Lito like a bad cigar.
Mike Diviney
8:21 pm on Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Also, whomever threw out Dream Team 2... it was a horror the 1st time. Let it die with the 2011 nightmarish season. Onward and upward!
Jono
7:43 am on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
I agree with most of what is said in this article, but I think it goes to far to say McNabb was "propped up" by Andy Reid. McNabb was an extremely talented QB who lacked the competitive drive necessary to be great, which is what is reflected in his record. His collapse after being traded probably had more to do with the fact that age and injury had degraded his greatest weapon - his mobility - than it did with anything else.
Mike Diviney
10:55 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
I don't think so Jono because he didn't any significant injuries in the years before he left or right after. He had pretty much ceased being mobile anyway. I do agree that his lack of a willingness to use his mobility hurt him a lot, but he just fell off a cliff after he left here.
Evan Richman
8:08 am on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
not even worth commenting on this nonsense. Mcnabb had the worst wide recievers EVER...the carolina game james trash and stinkton forgot what routes to run...reid has no CLUE how to manage a clock..LJ smith fumbled in the super bowl on the opening drive.ETC...mcnabb had his flaws (lack of leadership,skipping rocks to recievers) but he was a very very good QB compared to what else was avaliable and past qbs the eagles have had...the one year he has a legit WR (TO) they make the super bowl...hmmmm makes you wonder what could have been if he had quality people around him
Mike Diviney
10:59 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
He had plenty of good people around him. Didn't know you were in the huddle to determine a WR ran the wrong route. Excuses, excuses. Winning QB's don't need them, losers do. Who were the HOF WR's Tom Brady won 3 Superbowls with? TO wasn't just legit, he was the best in the league that year. It lasted only one yr because McNabb couldn't get along with him.
Izel Jenkins
8:56 am on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
much of what you said is true...unfortunately, he's still the best QB in Eagles history...I guess none of which can be considered 'great' since no SB's..which shows how poor the position has really been over the years. Lack of leadership, no question....but as an Eagles fan, you should give him some credit for being the best of the bunch...please don't give me Randall, Jaws, or Vick...they all had/have their flaws which somehow get overlooked or forgotten.
Mike Diviney
11:01 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
McNabb is the worst of this group. He's far from the best QB in Eagles history because he had no more a chance of achieving greatness than did Mike McMahon or Doug Pederson.
Michael
12:46 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
McNabb was good just not great. He was 9-7 in the playoffs (plus he earned the team numerous byes) and 92-49 in the regular season for the Eagles. That is Very Good. I haven't seen Andy Reid win a playoff game since he left, I haven't seen Vick win one, and while I loved Randall he only won 1 playoff game for the Eagles. You may not like his personality, you may not think he was "great", but if you take away the personal bias against the guy you would have to admit that McNabb was a very, very good player for the Eagles.
Mike Diviney
10:07 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Michael, he wasn't 9-7. Also, since McNabb left,I haven't seen him get to the playoffs, record a winning season, start a full season, not get benched in favor of Rex Grossman, Jake Ponder and Joe Webb, or last more than ONE season on a team. Coincidence?
Michael
1:04 pm on Friday, July 20, 2012
Yes McNabb was 9-7 in the playoffs. Playoff Record as Starting QB: 2000 (1-1), 2001 (2-1), 2002 (1-1), 2003 (1-1), 2004 (2-1), 2008 (2-1), 2009 (0-1). With 24 TD's and 17 INT's. #FACTS
Mike Diviney
11:02 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
What would account for my personal bias? Watched him for years and based my opinion on his play. He's a loser. His personality, at the QB position, caused a lot of his failures so it's in play.
Izel Jenkins
10:39 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
wrong again hole...he has the highest winning %, most playoff wins...and gave us a chance for multiple years...none of the other qb's can say that.
Mike Diviney
10:04 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Anyone who selects the moniker of Izel Jenkins is obviously lacking in creativity and of low intelligence. McNabb never gave the Eagles a chance to win a Superbowl. He could NEVER be great when he needed to be. One time he had the chance, he threw up. All he had to do to win that game was limit his turnovers to 3 and he couldn't even do that. Gave Philly the same chance he gave Wash and Minny. Run out of 3 cities now and you're still defending him- get a clue.
Gary B
10:16 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Mike this is very typical of the McNabb apologists camp. Since the Sorry Pity Party Player has left town they have now adopted the; 'Well he's kinda, sorta, better than some of the other guys...' mentality. It's really lame how people hold the water for this guy. Baffling actually.
Porterincollingswood
7:03 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
Compare McNabb's weapons to Brady's. Case closed.
He had at least as good, if not better weapons. And lost.
Mike Diviney
10:10 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Let the Jaws angst go. He had more toughness in his little finger than McNabb had in his entire 300 pound body.
Mike Diviney
10:11 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Also to Bo- Brian Westbrook was every bit as good as Wilbur if not better.
Bo
1:06 pm on Friday, July 20, 2012
A/ What does toughness have to do with which QB had a worse Super Bowl game? Cause there is no doubt who played smaller. If Westbrook was used correctly Donovan wouldn't have had to throw the ball 50 times. So sure, apples and oranges, but he wasn't and the game plan which was pass heavy was easy for Bill Belichick to gamplan for, no video tape needed. That is my main beef with Andy, that lack of balance put #5 in too many predicable situations where the coverage wasn't worried at all about the run, and they could clog up the middle of the field with extra DB's and linebackers who were smaller, quicker and better against the pass. That four-three of the Pats was like Kryptonite for the short and medium passing attack of Andy's version of the West Coast Offense. LJ Smith had 4 recs for 27 yards and Westbrook had 15 carries for 44 yards and 7 recs for 60 yards. Your not going to win many games outside of BYUville with your QB having to throw the ball 50 times in a game, maybe the coach should have recognized the capabilities of his QB, so he didn't arrive at the end of the game and incapable of being his best.
Mike Diviney
10:24 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
It is baffling. It's not as though he was a tough player who just wasn't quite good enough. He shriveled under pressure. It was remarkable how consistently he did it.
Mike Diviney
10:34 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Not that it changes a thing, but I was wrong. McNabb's playoff record was 9-7. I went to check it under NFL players, then remembered he had been ousted from the NFL after failing miserably without Andy Reid propping him up so had to get it from Google. He was also 1-4 in Championship Games, including 3 losses when favored. The one he did win was a prelude to his 4 turnover choke-job 2 weeks later in the really big game.
Porterincollingswood
7:05 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
Mike - this goes back to my point that McNabb was great at beating teams that the Eagles were more talented then (Vikes, Falcons) but could never bring it to the next level and overcome a team that was equal or better "on paper" (Pats, Bucs).
And, of course, he lost to the Panthers and an earlier version of the Bucs...winnable games.
Note: He'd be 8-8 is the Packers had been able to cover a 4th and 26th.
Jono
8:12 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
@Porter - So your argument is that McNabb is not as good as Brady, therefore he's a loser? Yeah you're right, case closed.
Porterincollingswood
8:41 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
I don't think you read what I wrote, or gave any thought to what I was responding to.
Anyone who says "McNabb needed more weapons to win a big game" needs to look at what Brady had to work with.
Porterincollingswood
8:46 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
It's like when I tell people that McNabb is the Boomer Esiason of the last decade. His supporters get insulted, and cry foul. But it's a a compliment, Boomer was a very good, successful QB who couldn't win the big one.
Look at their numbers. And while you're at it - also look at Bledsoe's, which McNabb will never reach. Very good, not great.
Mike Diviney
2:53 pm on Friday, July 20, 2012
Jono, you did read that wrong. Porter was comparing their supporting cast and the Eagles was better- offense and defense.
Jono
11:22 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
None of these comments in defense of McNabb claim that he was great, just that he was very good. Brady is one of the great QBs of his generation and no one here is claiming that McNabb is in his league. And a better way to phrase your note about the 4th and 26 play is that McNabb would be 8-8 if he didn't come through in a clutch situation in a big game - something his detractors say he was incapable of.
Porterincollingswood
11:48 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
For me, the legacy of Donovan was a series of missed opportunities. They should have won at least one and possibly two SB's. They should have gone to at least one, and probably two more. They didn't because of a number of factors, McNabb's lack of clutchness in big spots being one of them.
But, to me, not making it work with TO was the biggest issue. He was, as he constantly reminded us, the leader of the team. He abdicated that responsibility and let the TO thing fester and play out to a bad end. I don't know if he could've prevented that, but he chose to do nothing aside from (at the end) antagonize that nutcase even worse.
When he (supposedly) lobbied the team to sign TO, he knew he was nuts and hard to work with - as did Lurie, Banner, and Reid. If you sign him, then its your job to work with that crazy baby. Why? Because TO at top form would've made that offense unstoppable for years.
I think McNabb liked the trappings of leadership, was ill-suited and averse to actually practicing it. And that air guitar. Oh, the air guitar.
Mike Diviney
2:55 pm on Friday, July 20, 2012
That was his lone playoff comeback. ONE. It was a Hail Mary, but still counts. Probably would carry more weight if they didn't lose at home as favorites the next week.
Porterincollingswood
1:06 pm on Friday, July 20, 2012
Why Randall was better than McNabb: "The Randall Cunningham Show".
Matt Skoufalos
3:44 pm on Friday, July 20, 2012
^this
Mike Diviney
2:51 pm on Friday, July 20, 2012
Bo, Westbrook had 15 carries, averaging fewer than 3 yards a carry. Doesn't seem like running the ball more would have been very effective. Toughness is a key factor in overall opinion of the 2, not necessarily relating to their Superbowl failures. They were playing from behind.
Mike Diviney
3:00 pm on Friday, July 20, 2012
Porter made some very good points. TO was a nutcase and because McNabb was an unstable leader, he was unable to make it work. Reid let it fester too because he wanted his locker room to handle it and they didn't. I guess Hugh Douglas tried, but... I know for a fact that McNabb sent McNabb's brother to approach TO to normalize relations. That tells you all you need to know. He wasn't man enough to even approach TO. He was scared of him. That, and him constantly saying he was the leader, which means he wasn't. I too have nightmares about the air guitar.
Mike Diviney
3:02 pm on Friday, July 20, 2012
Porter, yes the Eagles lost to a great team in the Pats. However, the Pats have lost 2 Superbowls to the same inferior team. Boomer lost to 49ers, who were 4-0 in Superbowls and led by Joe Montana, aka McNabb's mirror opposite.