We All know that Donovan is a good QB, that's something we all can agree on. But when it comes to coming back in the 2-miinute drill, when the game is on the line. He just doesn't get it done. We can talk about his receivers, or lack there of. We can talk about dropped passes and everything else but at the end of the day it's all about #5 for the Eagles. The receivers excuse IMO is bogus, correct me if i'm wrong but he used the same receivers to score 19 unanswered points, I mean we aren't using the receivers as an excuse when the Eagles scored 48 points in the first game against 'Zona. The receivers we're good enough then, weren't they? They have a top 10 offense, and arguably the best weapon at running back in the game in Westbrook. Nuff said.
Hey lets not talk about the penalty flag that probably should have been thrown on that 4th down play to Kevin Curtis. The Cardinals probably could of put the game away before the first half if the Zebras didn't blow a call when the Cardinals clearly recovered the ball in great feild position already up 24 to 6. Calls we're blown both ways. That's not the reason the Eagles lost. If you bring up Jim Johnson's defense, which was a step behind the Cardinals offense the entire first half... I'll give you that. The defense definitely came up small. They deserve some blame. Jim Johnson, often credited, never criticized, shouldn't be spared by the Philly media as he always is.
But lets size up the game as it unfolded. Donovan had no problem throwing the ball up and down the field in the teeth of the game when the Birds we're making it a game. Kurt Warner's defense was folding like a bad Poker hand but Captain Kurt... If I may, put his team in the end zone when IT MATTERED MOST. Donovan gets the ball back with plenty of time left and again the Eagles offense just stalls, for whatever reason. This is dating back since forever, McNabb just can't get his team in the end zone in the clutch. You look for answers why, i'm sure there's always an alternative excuse for Donovan-Stans and always different circumstances for each time he's in this position. But when you have a different excuse everytime for why a QB can't bring his team from behind hardly EVER, you have to point the finger at the QB. Plain and simple.
If you look at every QB that's won a Super Bowl there's always, almost always a drive that he needs to put together with the chips stacked against him, to get his team over the top. Sometimes it happens in the Super Bowl, sometimes it might be the Championship game or even in Wildcard weekend. That drive is a test of character more than anything else, it's a drive that shows the QB has that necessary Chromosome to get it done. Watching this game and the Cardinals defense there's no reason why Donovan shouldn't be able to finish that drive or at least make it more interesting. It's not like he was facing the type of defensive pressure Manning was facing on the winning drive in last years Super Bowl, where there's defenders in your face every snap. In fact he had all day to throw the ball, at least most of the time. This definitely has to be a mental thing.
Don't misunderstand me, he's a really good QB. If he ever figures out what his deal is in these situations, doesn't need Freddie Mitchell to call the play for him because he's tired (In the Super Bowl!) and can somehow win a Chip, he'll immediately be thrust into the Hall Of Fame discussion. But that has to happen soon because after a while what should be a good thing and an achievement, like going to 5 NFC Championship games, instantly becomes a bad thing if you continue to lose them. Until then, this is what Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb will be remembered for. Right or wrong, that is their legacy... so far.
Thanks, that was both cathartic and therapeutic. You said it better than anyone so far.
At the risk of sounding like a typical Eagles fan, I knew this would happen. Reid-McNabb just don't do a 2 minute drill at the end of the game. Last week against the Giants, they did a nice one for a field goal at the end of the first half, but that's not the same thing!
Again, thanks.
Carl T.
He needs me to get to a Super Bowl
Interesting comments after a 375 yard outing with 3 touchdown passes. The Bills' fans complained about Jim Kelly losing 4 Superbowls too. When is the last time the Bills were a good team? Oh yeah, when Jim Kelly was quarterback. The problem sometimes is that there is a lack of perspective. The Eagles stunk before he got there and have been in the hunt every year he has been there and healthy.
You say he can't comeback but, he brought the Eagles back from down 24-6 to take the lead at 25-24 (by the way the kicker missed an extra point and a field goal). The defense had an opportunity to get the ball back to McNabb and maintain the lead. They allowed a 75 yard drive, touchdown and 2 point conversion.
But again, please get rid of McNabb. Please! Then let the Kevin Kolb era begin. And then let's see how bad McNabb was. I already have my list of teams that McNabb can go to and impact immediately starting with Minnesota and Chicago.
I like McNabb, the 375 yards and 3 TD passes are numbers, it really took him an entire half to get going which is besides my point. The defense was sleep walking too. This isn't about Kevin Kolb or saying he needs to get out of Philly. As I said, he is on the cusp of being a HOFer... I think they are better off with him. This article was about McNabb being able to get over the hump, nothing more, nothing less. This is about time after time again, for whatever reason he can't get this TD. That 2 minutes left your team down by 4 touch D.
Yes the kicker missed and yes the defense got trashed but that same kicker and defense had been bailing the offense out throughout the postseason. It more of a article about him failing in these moments again... FOR WHATEVER REASON. It's funny how no one can remember the last time McNabb bought his team back with a winning TD in the clutch and I like many folks are just struggling to understand why. it's not about trashing him or saying he's a bum and all that non sense but it is about these moments that fails in
Good Stuff Turner
Good read Omarr. Points well taken.
cornelius.....
remember ray rhodes? randall cunningham? the eagles didnt stink then. wtf are you talking about?
I understand your points...we need #5......but to claim they stank before he got there is plain ridiculous unless you're only talking about the 3-13 season they had that let them get the 2nd pick in the draft to get him.
He never gets it done in the two minute, even Jaws who is a biased Eagles fan even mentioned something to that affect today. Good story
Good article. I could not agree more after watching McNabb throughout his whole career, he is a good quarterback that gets high stats. Never the less, number don't count as a win and are easy to get when your offense passes the ball 47 times.
In my opinion McNabb was to blame for the first half of the game with failed red-zone opportunities. Andy Reid was to blame for that horrible last drive we saw simply because of his chuck it or F$#$ it philosophy. Im no NFL coach but maybe a run or two could of made that 4th down easier to get.
Eagles defense failed to adjust to the cardinals Offense. Seemed as if Jim Johnson just kept blitzing and playing his game, just like Joe Paterno with his cover 3 did when Penn State got whipped by USC in the rose bowl....Sad year for Philly fans