QuoteBill Conlin | McNabb passing critical tests
FOR THE second straight week, Donovan McNabb played like a white quarterback.
Last Monday night, the Eagles franchise star did an excellent imitation of Ryan Leaf.
Yesterday, the man some people seem to think Andy Reid has renamed "McPass" did a more than passable imitation of Joe Montana. That's the same Montana who turned the San Francisco 49ers
into a dynasty bearing no resemblance to the shabby stiffs who showed up at Lincoln Financial Field and impersonated an NFL team. Back in the Buddy Ryan era, Montana did to the Eagles in one four-TD fourth quarter what McNabb and both his backups did to the Niners yesterday in the perfect storm of a 42-3 annihilation.
And, if you have already forgotten about Montana, who was the personification of the Bill Walsh West Coast offense McNabb now leads, then you can substitute either of the current prototypical white QBs, pure pocket passer Peyton Manning or dual Super Bowl winner Tom Brady.
Not that there's anything wrong with playing like a white quarterback...
Those strong-armed, heavy-legged monuments to the days of guys named Sid Luckman and Johnny Lujack, had become the hood ornaments of the National Football League before it literally became bigger than U.S. Steel.
Norm Van Brocklin, who led the Eagles to their last NFL title only 45 years ago, would have rather had his plays called from the bench than tuck the ball and run with it.
I wonder if it has ever occurred to former Cowboys star Roger Staubach that he was the first Donovan McNabb. Fran Tarkenton was a terrific scrambler all those years with the Vikings, but he was never a pure passer. Staubach was the first quarterback in the NFL's modern era with a perfect balance of skills. The Dodger could beat you deep with his right arm or both legs.
McNabb critics - there still are some - argued he would never be a pure enough passer to shelve his wonderful ability to run through or around tacklers after being flushed from the pocket. The reasons he has gradually put a cap on his running skills have been perceived as sociological. Nobody was ever going to ask Donovan, "How long have you been a black quarterback?" which was the dumbest question of the 20th century that taterskins pioneer Doug Williams fielded after his landmark Super Bowl XXII victory.
You may have noticed by now that McNabb is at his most brilliant while performing with injuries that would have landed most of us in the ER. His performance on a broken leg against the Arizona Cardinals has become part of Eagles lore. What we learned that rainy afternoon was that in a situation where running was a zero option, Donovan was a much more accurate short- to medium-range passer than we believed him to be.
This time, the guy didn't practice with shoulder pads until Friday, just 3 very short days after his sternum collided with the helmet of the Falcons' Chad Lavalais in the first quarter of the Eagles' 14-10 loss. There was no reason to expect him to be sharp against a defense that registered seven sacks last Sunday against the St. Louis Rams. He would play, yes, but Reid's game plan would be a cocoon of safety-first stuff from the "Introduction" chapter of his "War and Peace"- thick playbook.
McNabb was conservative, all right. However, many of his passes were upfield and a good number were over the middle to blossoming tight end L.J. Smith. As he did that game in the rain against the Cardinals, McNabb displayed the delicate touch of a French impressionist while painting a football masterpiece to make Renoir and Matisse proud.
In what will take its place with the most dominant games in Eagles history, Donovan's stats leap off the page the way his receivers were leaping into the end zone. In three quarters of work, 23-for-29, 342 yards and five TDs. An off-the-charts passer rating of 155.4 (Koy Detmer was 9-for-9, Mike McMahon 1-for-1) came on a team record day when the Eagles amassed a 30-8 edge in first downs, a 583-142 plurality in net yards and an average gain per offensive play of 8.2 yards. That's almost unheard of in the NFL, where an average of 4 yards a carry will get a back into the Hall of Fame.
"It's still sore," he acknowledged, explaining that he sacrificed the protection a flak jacket would have provided for mobility and arm freedom. "For days, it was sore to sleep, it was sore to move around when you're lying down, and sore to get up. But it loosened up in time enough where I was able to get out here on this field."
The only time McNabb ran for his life, he was bounced out of bounds for a loss of 1 yard, which counts as a sack. With 4 minutes, 23 seconds left in the half he was sacked for minus-9 and the Niners recovered his fumble.
Hey, who's perfect?
Well, McNabb was damned close to perfect in a game where he fed the football to just about everybody eligible to catch it and made sure Terrell Owens would be the guy standing on top of the trophy.
T.O., trashed all week by his former Niners teammates, rubbed their noses in it big-time with five catches for 143 yards and two scores, including a 68-yard hookup on the game's third play.
It is past time to end the QB stereotype debate. We agreed decades ago that Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles were both dynamite singers, who wove
their magic with different styles.
Donovan McNabb can pass...
And he can run with the best backs in the NFL-when he wants to or is forced to. Because he wants to walk without crutches when he is 50, he prefers to do the former. "The offensive line did a very good job today," he said of a group that had his back once again.
Bottom line: This is one helluva quarterback. But I'm sure there is a pocket of holdouts who want him scrambling and throwing bombs.
Learn to finally accept the big-time star Donovan McNabb has become and enjoy...
QuoteFOR THE second straight week, Donovan McNabb played like a white quarterback.
Uh, that's one hell of a way to start an article. I'm a little shocked, actually.
QuoteFOR THE second straight week, Donovan McNabb played like a white quarterback.
It is just me in this time of political correctness, or might Big Bill catch a lot of flack for that statement?
Anyway, McNabb had himself a nice game yesterday. :yay
Quote from: rjs246 on September 19, 2005, 10:00:42 AM
QuoteFOR THE second straight week, Donovan McNabb played like a white quarterback.
Uh, that's one hell of a way to start an article. I'm a little shocked, actually.
That's just stupid. What in the hell would make a writer think that is an OK evaluation.
That's the kinda shtein people can (and should) lose jobs over....
i really dislike conlin.
Conlin took a shot at Limbaugh with that line. I don't think that anything will come of it.
Well it caught the reader's attention all right.... :-D
Quote from: BigEd76 on September 19, 2005, 01:35:45 PM
Well it caught the reader's attention all right....
Not really. I didn't even bother reading the rest of it.
QuoteAs he did that game in the rain against the Cardinals, McNabb displayed the delicate touch of a French impressionist while painting a football masterpiece to make Renoir and Matisse proud.
:puke
That's just trash. Fire his editor.
Quote from: rjs246 on September 19, 2005, 01:36:51 PM
Quote from: BigEd76 on September 19, 2005, 01:35:45 PM
Well it caught the reader's attention all right....
Not really. I didn't even bother reading the rest of it.
Me either
Quote from: Diomedes on September 19, 2005, 01:38:17 PM
QuoteAs he did that game in the rain against the Cardinals, McNabb displayed the delicate touch of a French impressionist while painting a football masterpiece to make Renoir and Matisse proud.
That's just trash. Fire his editor.
Ugh. That's painful to read.
passes critical test? i could of torched the 9ers. how about when he beats a decent team.
Quote from: mussa on September 19, 2005, 01:59:43 PM
passes critical test? i could of torched the 9ers. how about when he beats a decent team.
Because McNabb's never beaten a decent team before.
Quote from: PhillyGirl on September 19, 2005, 02:01:46 PM
Quote from: mussa on September 19, 2005, 01:59:43 PM
passes critical test? i could of torched the 9ers. how about when he beats a decent team.
Because McNabb's never beaten a decent team before.
and he's never won a "big" game. every game that people deem "big" are only that until he wins one, then they cease to be "big" because if he could win one, it must not be "big". when he wins the Super Bowl, it will be relegated to a mere exhibition game.
Quote from: Sun_Mo on September 19, 2005, 02:04:17 PM
Quote from: PhillyGirl on September 19, 2005, 02:01:46 PM
Quote from: mussa on September 19, 2005, 01:59:43 PM
passes critical test? i could of torched the 9ers. how about when he beats a decent team.
Because McNabb's never beaten a decent team before.
and he's never won a "big" game. every game that people deem "big" are only that until he wins one, then they cease to be "big" because if he could win one, it must not be "big". when he wins the Super Bowl, it will be relegated to a mere exhibition game.
LOL...I said that all last year. I asked what would it take for McNabb to win a "big" game? The NFCCG was what all opposing team fans said. Once he won it and then they lost the SB, they went back to "He can't win in big games".
:-D :-D :-D ::)
Quote from: dpierce on September 19, 2005, 01:25:42 PM
Conlin took a shot at Limbaugh with that line. I don't think that anything will come of it.
it also alluded to his "big finish":
QuoteIt is past time to end the QB stereotype debate. We agreed decades ago that Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles were both dynamite singers, who wove
their magic with different styles.
Donovan McNabb can pass...
And he can run with the best backs in the NFL-when he wants to or is forced to. Because he wants to walk without crutches when he is 50, he prefers to do the former. "The offensive line did a very good job today," he said of a group that had his back once again.
Bottom line: This is one helluva quarterback. But I'm sure there is a pocket of holdouts who want him scrambling and throwing bombs.
Learn to finally accept the big-time star Donovan McNabb has become and enjoy...
I owe this post to my lack of reading comprehension. :P
Quote from: PhillyGirl on September 19, 2005, 02:06:34 PM
Quote from: Sun_Mo on September 19, 2005, 02:04:17 PM
Quote from: PhillyGirl on September 19, 2005, 02:01:46 PM
Quote from: mussa on September 19, 2005, 01:59:43 PM
passes critical test? i could of torched the 9ers. how about when he beats a decent team.
Because McNabb's never beaten a decent team before.
and he's never won a "big" game. every game that people deem "big" are only that until he wins one, then they cease to be "big" because if he could win one, it must not be "big". when he wins the Super Bowl, it will be relegated to a mere exhibition game.
LOL...I said that all last year. I asked what would it take for McNabb to win a "big" game? The NFCCG was what all opposing team fans said. Once he won it and then they lost the SB, they went back to "He can't win in big games".
:-D :-D :-D ::)
You two have just just killed my argument against Peyton Manning.
Darn you!! Darn you to heck! ;)
No, because Manning can't win shtein in the playoffs with all of that talent around him. McNabb was winning games in the playoffs with Torrance Small and Charles Johnson. :-D
Quote from: PhillyGirl on September 19, 2005, 02:18:36 PMManning can't win shtein in the playoffs with all of that talent around him.
...unless he's playing Denver... :paranoid
Quote from: rjs246 on September 19, 2005, 10:00:42 AM
QuoteFOR THE second straight week, Donovan McNabb played like a white quarterback.
Uh, that's one hell of a way to start an article. I'm a little shocked, actually.
Holy Doug Williams Batman!
McNabb played like McNabb, thats all that needs to be said.
Quote from: BigEd76 on September 19, 2005, 01:39:29 PM
Quote from: rjs246 on September 19, 2005, 01:36:51 PM
Quote from: BigEd76 on September 19, 2005, 01:35:45 PM
Well it caught the reader's attention all right....
Not really. I didn't even bother reading the rest of it.
Me either
That did it for me too - I know he's trying to be funny, but he should have enough of a clue that this will probably cost him his job.
farging pig.
Howard Cosell
Jimmy the Greek
Rush Limbaugh
Bill Conlin
C
How many active QBs win superbowls regularly anyway? Just one? Tom Brady? Thanks. Donovan will get his. The franchise is set up to give him lots of chances.
Quote from: Phanatic on September 19, 2005, 08:31:03 PM
How many active QBs win superbowls regularly anyway? Just one? Tom Brady? Thanks. Donovan will get his. The franchise is set up to give him lots of chances.
No way. The window is closing. Didn't you hear- ESPN said so. About once a year for the past three seasons.
Quote from: BigEd76 on September 19, 2005, 02:19:56 PM
Quote from: PhillyGirl on September 19, 2005, 02:18:36 PMManning can't win shtein in the playoffs with all of that talent around him.
...unless he's playing Denver... :paranoid
Or the Chiefs. When he's playing the Chiefs in the playoffs the Colts don't even have to punt.
Quote from: Geowhizzer on September 19, 2005, 08:34:29 PM
Quote from: Phanatic on September 19, 2005, 08:31:03 PM
How many active QBs win superbowls regularly anyway? Just one? Tom Brady? Thanks. Donovan will get his. The franchise is set up to give him lots of chances.
No way. The window is closing. Didn't you hear- ESPN said so. About once a year for the past three seasons.
Yeah and the reciever's a gay cancer too!! Least that's what I heard!! :-o
Hey everyone, vote for McNabb for FedEx Air Player of the Week. He's in a close battle with Carson Palmer. We all know that it shouldn't be so close. So vote now!!
VOTE MCNABB (http://www.nfl.com/partners/fedex/thankyou)
heh...i votef for dilfer.
I don't care.
its not that mcnabb doesnt win big games because he has...someone in as many as hes been in would almost have too...the problem is he more often than not is horrible in those situations
he single handedly lost the superbowl...that is why people bring up the big game thing in regards to that game
if peyton manning had the eagle defense of the last five years he would have won a super bowl...you might also say had mcnabb had mannings offensive weapons of the last five years he would have done the same...this is his second year of having that...last year he gagged...lets see what happens this year
what kills me is that the nfc has been an abomination for mcnabbs entire run and yet hes only been able to get to one superbowl with a team that has been very good/great defensively
Quote from: ice grillin you on September 20, 2005, 02:34:55 PM
its not that mcnabb doesnt win big games because he has...someone in as many as hes been in would almost have too...the problem is he more often than not is horrible in those situations
he single handedly lost the superbowl...that is why people bring up the big game thing in regards to that game
if peyton manning had the eagle defense of the last five years he would have won a super bowl...you might also say had mcnabb had mannings offensive weapons of the last five years he would have done the same...this is his second year of having that...last year he gagged...lets see what happens this year
what kills me is that the nfc has been an abomination for mcnabbs entire run and yet hes only been able to get to one superbowl with a team that has been very good/great defensively
Moronic post even for you, IGY.
Quote from: ice grillin you on September 20, 2005, 02:34:55 PM
what kills me is that the nfc has been an abomination for mcnabbs entire run and yet hes only been able to get to one superbowl with a team that has been very good/great defensively
The first year the Eagles made the NFC Championship game, I was pretty suprised they even got there. If not for McNabb's fumble on the opening drive at the seven (7)? yard line, they may have won. Irregardless, I was happy they even went. (The Rams were heavily favored against the Pats).
The second year when the Birds hosted the Bucs, I thought the game was a gimme. I still believe it was a combination of McNabb not fully healed from his injury and an incredibly good defense by the Bucs that lost that game. Remember, this was still fairly early in McNabb's career and he hadn't developed the ability to adapt to a blitzing defense. Tampa Bay's defense was on a roll ever since the last few games of the season. (Tampa Bay blew the farg out of the Raiders)
I blame Pinkston and Thrash for the loss to Carolina. If they could either catch the ball or at least drop it so it doesn't get intercepted, the Eagles win that game. Having a healthy Westbrook would have helped. (Carolina damn near beat the slightly favored Pats).
No need to recount the Superbowl. McNabb threw too many interceptions, but he still had the Eagles in position to win. I blame Reid for the lack of a two-minute offense.
Collectively, the NFC may be an abomination, but once the team reaches the Championship game, they're generally playing against the second best team in the conference, and apparently once, the best team in the NFL.
Quote from: Tomahawk on September 20, 2005, 04:07:50 PMNo need to recount the Superbowl. McNabb threw too many interceptions, but he still had the Eagles in position to win. I blame Reid for the lack of a two-minute offense.
i may be the only person who blames jim johnson and the defense for losing the superbowl. johnson totally chocked and failed to make any adjustment until it was too late. just look at the 3rd and early 4th quarter. the patriots marched right down the field on 3 of 4 drives and scored at will. they stop just ONE of those....it's an entirely different game.
mcnabb has his issues to, but the superbowl was lost before the 2 minute mark. (the offense left 10 point on the field in the 1st half, and the defense gave them 10 more in the 2nd)
In today's Daily News it showed that Mr. Dandruff was supposed to be on DNL tonight with Dana O'Neil and Rich (cry about no one talking to the media) Hofman...
No Conlin tonight though.
Wonder if he got in trouble?
The Eagles lost the superbowl as a team. If the D played better... If McNabb.... If Andy... TEAM sport.
Phreak, I'm trying to find out now.
Quote from: Phanatic on September 20, 2005, 05:23:18 PM
The Eagles lost the superbowl as a team. If the D played better... If McNabb.... If Andy... TEAM sport.
True
I blame the superbowl on Trotter.
Quote from: General_Failure on September 20, 2005, 05:35:11 PM
I blame the superbowl on Trotter.
:-D Yeah...........you would.
Quote from: ice grillin you on September 20, 2005, 02:34:55 PM
he single handedly lost the superbowl...that is why people bring up the big game thing in regards to that game
Geez, are you forgetting the constant blitzing, the piss poor play of the offensive line, and Teddy B's hit that could have given' him a concussion??
Man, that statment is just plain dumb.