Can Donovan McNab Lead The Eagles to Another Super Bowl?
By powermannx
@powermannx (450)
United States
January 11, 2009 4:56pm CST
It seems as though Donovan McNabb has proved many syndicated sports writers wrong once again. Donovan McNabb 2008 season was capped off by completing 345 passes and throwing for 3916 yards, in addition to having 23 touchdowns, so what more does he have to do to prove himself worthy of Philadelphia's football community? After defeating the New York Giants, can Donovan get to the next level to silence his critics?
1 person likes this
7 responses
@thorgrym (675)
• United States
12 Jan 09
Donovan McNabb could win the Super Bowl, be the MVP, and still not silence his critics!
While he is a very good player, he is also responsible for bringing on a lot of the criticism. What the heck was up with the unsportsmanlike conduct on the Giants' bench in Sunday's game? He ran for 9 yards to put his team at 2nd and 1 in what could have been a game ending drive. Then he goes and pulls that stunt and gets a 15 yard penalty, essentially ending the drive and giving the ball back to the Giants. Had he not committed the penalty, they Eagles would have held on to the ball longer, run more time off the clock, and insured the victory sooner. As it was, he gave the ball back to the Giants. Fortunately for the Eagles, the Giants failed to capitalize on the opportunity.
McNabb has said and done some things in previous years that have fueled the fire for his critics - granted, they have not all been his fault (read: T.O.). So, sadly, I don't think that winning the Super Bowl will suddenly cause all people to view him in a different light. There is no denying his accomplishments, however.
1 person likes this
@powermannx (450)
• United States
12 Jan 09
Well, it was an unsportsmanlike conduct, but then again I got a kick out of him having the nerve to do something like that. I think the game has gotten a little to strict when it comes to on field celebrations, but I don't think that it was appropriate for him to do that - leave all of that after the game.
@thorgrym (675)
• United States
12 Jan 09
I agree that players should be able to celebrate more, in a sportsman-like fashion. I have no problem with that at all. Stupidity, however, is in-excusable. If a player stopped to think, "How would I feel if someone did this to me?" then there would be a lot fewer issues with celebrating a great play.
I am not a fan of either team, but I wanted the Eagles to beat the Giants. I really didn't think that his penalty was going to jeopardize their chances, but it was still a bad move on his part. My point is that it didn't earn him any points in the eyes of his critics. Play the game. Win or lose graciously. Do your job, give credit where credit is due and take the blame for your own poor performance.
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@stinge (810)
• United States
12 Jan 09
I laughed my butt off when he picked up the phone. I'm from ny and I wasn't even mad at that. Maybe it's because I'm not a die hard fan of ny sports. But it was unsportsman like of him to do so. There's no need to rub it in when you're already winning. I don't think he would've done that if the score were much closer and they were tryin to run out the clock so the giants couldn't get the ball back. He and the rest of the Eagles better be very appreciative of the fact that they are even in the playoffs. They got lucky this year, and they are taking advantage of it for now. I think the Cardinals can be very tough for them if thet get Anqaun Boldin back next week,and they run the ball more like they've been doing. But either way Philly's deffense has been very, very tough going into the playoffs. They look like the team that went to the superbowl against the patriots several yrs ago. If that deffense keeps playing like that they will be hard to beat.
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@mscott (1923)
• United States
12 Jan 09
I would say he can lead them there since they only have 1 game to go and it is against Arizona. Personally I think Pittsburgh would beat them both. Funny how there was so much talk of getting rid of McNabb after this year and now they are on the verge of getting back to the big game. I wonder how Owens feels about his old team being in it and him being at home, again?
@thorgrym (675)
• United States
12 Jan 09
I am not so sure that the Eagles are a lock against Arizona. Sure, Arizona lost quite a few games after clinching the division. If you were in the same position as Arizona, wouldn't you try to conserve your strength for your remaining games knowing that you already qualified for the playoffs? Without giving up, I would think it a smart move to play the remaining games as if they were pre-season - try some new things, put in some reserve players, rest your starters, etc.
I don't think that there losing streak at the end of the season was a sign of their weakness. Given the fact that they have made it to the NFC Championship game indicates that they are better than they let on. Plus, they have home field advantage.
I don't mean to take anything away from the Eagles. They also deserve to be where they are. I just don't think that it is going to be a cake walk for them in Arizona.
It would certainly be fun to see the Pennsylvania Showdown in the Super Bowl, though...Steelers v. Eagles.
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@powermannx (450)
• United States
12 Jan 09
This is going to be a very interesting game indeed, both of the teams star players are healthy, the game may come down to which defense stops the run - and has at least one interception.
@KrauseHome (36447)
• United States
11 Jan 09
Well personally something told me that the Eagles were going to defeat the Giants and possibly be the ones to watch for in the Super Bowl as well. I really thought the Giants and Titans would be the ones in the Super Bowl, but when the Titans lost yesterday, and I heard the Giants were playing the Eagles today I was like now watch the Eagles will win this one as well. It happened, and only time can tell if they will be Super Bowl bound as well. Wishing them the Best.
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@powermannx (450)
• United States
12 Jan 09
I could not agree with you more, I am happy and pleased that the Eagles have advanced to the next round, now let's see if they can return to the Super Bowl.
@stinge (810)
• United States
12 Jan 09
I think he can. The thing that gets me is that he has always been na good quarterback. Being from Ny and knowing how harsh the fans can be on our teams when they suck, I can imagine what Mcnab goes through getting booed or seeing things written in the local papers about him. He has done a very good job with the only playmaker in Brian Westbrook being on the team the last several years. He doesn't have anything to prove to me. The thing about football is that it's tough to blame it all one one guy. Mcnab doesn't play both sides of the ball. If the deffense doesn't hold up the team is going to have a hard time winning. I heard charles Woodson from the Green Bay Packers in an interview say that this season wasn't all on the quarterback. There were many games that the Packers scored a lot of points, but the deffense gave up a lot to the other team as well. You can't outscore everyone every week. The Colts used to do it all the time. They would average 56 points a game and their opponents would score 35. Their deffense wasn't that good during the regular season. But Peyton Manning still looked like an allstar. But you notice how that high powered offense without the deffense behind it always failed when they played the Patriots in the playoffs. The Patriots where better deffensively during those times.
I think the key for the Eagles right now is that their deffense has been very, very good during the last few weeks of the season going into the playoffs. They aren't really putting up big points like they did the year Terrible Terrell Owens was there. But they have enough guys to make plays on offense to make Mcnab look good. That guy Kevin Curtis lookes very impressive during the Giants game this past suday. he caught a lot of passes in the last quarter that lead to the Eagles putting the game away for good. Reporters keep saying that Mcnab needs to get back into running the football like he used to. The thing is he's alot older now, and running the ball as a quarterback every play osn't gonna cut it. You have to get the ball down the field. He is very good at escaping tackels. And that's all you need. I think all the talk off the Eagles trying to trade him over the years was an inssult to him. he is still one of the top quarterback in the game today. I think the fans in Philly need to appreciate the fact that they have had a good qaurterback all these years. It's very tough in any sport to win it all every single season. Other teams are getting better all the time.
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@jakeb1 (562)
• United States
15 Jan 09
I think that the Eagles have a better chance than the Cardinals to reach the Superbowl and Donovan can definately do it. I think the key person in this game will be Brian Westbrook. If he has a big game, the Eagles will win, if he doesn't, it might be a toss-up. Ever since McNabb has been benched, he has been playing better than ever before. My prediction for the Superbowl are Eagles vs. Steelers.
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@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
13 Jan 09
Maybe McNabb can lead the Eagles to the Super Bowl again. Right now the way the Cardinals are playing I'll put my cards on Arizona! They have a confidence I have not seen this season! Kurt warner is a proven leader and he just might lead the Cardinals to an upset this weekend!
@mcat19 (1357)
• United States
12 Jan 09
I was dismayed, but not surprised, that the Giants didn't win. They haven't been playing well lately and the lay-off didn't help. I don't think the Eagles will win the Super Bowl, but they may well get there. If they do, they won't win. I like Arizona and Pittsburgh a lot better.
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