Everyone from the residents of Philadelphia, from Rush Limbaugh, to every football analyst under the sun hates Donovan McNabb, and I don't understand this!? Their argument basically is that McNabb and the Eagles have been to five NFC Championship games and lost four of them. The one Superbowl appearance Donovan and The Eagles have been to was a losing effort to the dynasty that was the New England Patriots. This argument is just ridiculous.
First of all, do you know how hard it is to appear in five Championship games!? My roommate pointed out to me that if you have a first round bye all you have to do is win one game and you're in the Championship game. Three responses to that: First, if this year and Denny Green's Vikings are any indicator, it's not necessarily the easiest thing to win just one playoff game. Second, to be in the position to have a first round bye is impressive. In fact, to lead your team after 16 games to earn a first round bye is really good and almost better than just one sole game. Lastly, not all of McNabb's NFC Championship appearances came when his team earned a first round bye. Like this year- his team was the 6th seed and went to the big game.
It's an extremely impressive feat to be so good to make it to five NFC Championship games. Many QBs don't even have the chance to make it to one nevertheless five. Yes, he didn't make it to the ultimate goal (winning a Superbowl) but when you come that close for this long, you don't deserve to get shit on like he does.
Here's some examples of other great sports people in recent history who came close to winning it all but didn't, yet still doesn't get close to the amount to crap that McNabb does (that I can think of right now):
-Jim Kelly (QB- Bills). He went to four straight Superbowls and never won once (although he should at least one but stupid fucking Scott Norwood...)
-Bobby Cox (Manager- Braves). His team went to 14 straight playoffs and only won one World Series even though he had arguably the greatest rotation in history (plus a darn good offense throughout the years to go along with it)
-Alex Rodriguez (3B- Yankees). Yes people blame him all the time for choking in the playoffs but if he retired today I think he'd be in the Hall of Fame. Plus, SMALL SAMPLE SIZE SMALL SAMPLE SIZE!
-Peyton Manning (QB- Colts). Before this douchebag won in 2006 he had been to plenty of postseason games in the pros AND in college and seemingly never was able to win a big game. But how much criticism did we hear about this!? Very little.
-Dan Marino (QB- Dolphins). As great and awesome and excellent as a QB Marino was, he only made it to one SB and lost it.
Now I know McNabb respectively is nowhere near the talent that each of these four men are at their position, but seriously, don't dismiss all of what McNabb has done based on four or five games.
And in further respect, McNabb (except for one year with T.O. AND in the playoffs T.O. was injured and didn't play) has never had a legit #1 receiver and Andy Reid is just retarded in how he uses Brian Westbrook so McNabb loses a little something from throwing so much and the Eagles not running nearly enough. Also, the entire Eagles team and how many games they win or lose is not ALL on Donovan's shoulders; teams do have defenses you know.
Now in all fairness, the fact that McNabb has not been able to win a Superbowl with five prime opportunities is most certainly a fault of his. I mean seriously, with his first 3 appearances he most certainly should have won those games. But the fact that he didn't isn't as big of a deal as the media and Philly fans make it out to be. And McNabb (while his career is not over) has not shown to me that he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. Not like Peyton or Kelly and of course he's not even in the same league, not even in the same breath as Dan Marino. But (as Skip Bayless likes to say) if there is a Hall of Very Good, McNabb would fit right in.
McNabb is still an above average QB and better than the vast majority of QBs both this year and throughout his career. The fact that he's lost four out of his five NFC Championship games is a fault, but he's still a fucking good QB and as a Bears fan, I'd still love to have him.
And in case you were offended by my title yet still read all of my article, it's a fucking joke- get over it.
I love your football posts though i gotta say mcnabb is a HOFer in my book. I just remember the days when culpepper was still good. McNabb was so athletic, which is hard to tell now with his age and injuries, but he used to be an awesome athlete. and he many playoff games by himself. it definitaley wasnt fredX or stingston or lewis the mailman. His best receiver over the years has been LJ Smith and thats pretty sad
ReplyDeleteI took a brief look at his stats on Wikipedia and they didn't really stand out to me. At all. And I've seen him play and I think he's for sure an above average QB but he hasn't done anything to me to show me he deserves to get into the HOF.
ReplyDeleteHe's never been dominant from year to year, just consistent. (And I'm doing this from memory so I may be wrong but...) He has only had one year when he had a passer rating over 100. Again, I'll look at more stats to be 100% sure.
If you look at Peyton Manning, he's been consistent AND dominant throughout his playing career and THAT'S what makes him a HOF. I don't see that above and beyond from Donovan.
But again, I think he's a fantastic football player and QB and I want him on my team
If mcnabb was simply a pocket passer his entire career, then no he would not be HOF, but he brings much more than his arm. Dont get me wrong, he has a strong and decent arm, but his balls arent the easiest to catch(thats what she said).
ReplyDeleteYou realize that QB rating doesnt take into account rushing AT ALL!! Given how the position has changed over the years, someone may want to include QB rushing into the equation. Add all those yards, TD's, and crucial first down conversion due to his legs and you have a HOF player. I dont think you recall McNabb when he was and athletic freak his first 5 years in the league.