I have never been a huge Donovan McNabb fan; I think he is a good player but not a great one. McNabb is by all accounts is great teammate and model citizen so give him extra credit for that, in other words you can win with Donovan McNabb as your quarterback. Given my view of McNabb, let’s also remember that he did lead the Philadelphia Eagles to 5 NFC Title games and 1 Super Bowl appearance in his 11 seasons as the team’s starting quarterback. Eagle fans will be quick to point out that McNabb never won the Super Bowl; in a place like Pittsburgh or Dallas this may be considered a valid point. However the Eagles, pre-McNabb, would never be confused with the Steelers or Cowboys.
Prior to McNabb joining the Eagles the organization participated in one Super Bowl after the 1980 season and last won an NFL Championship in 1960 when the league had 13 teams and was just discovering the value of a facemask. This is not necessarily a shot at the Eagles franchise as much as a historical fact needed to put McNabb’s success as the Eagles starting quarterback into the proper context.
On Sunday afternoon, after being traded this past off-season to divisional rival Washington, McNabb will come back to Philadelphia for a game against his old team. Admittedly, as a Cowboys fan, it is hard to envision McNabb in the Burgundy and Gold and I am sure it is twice as hard for some Eagle fans as well. My hope is that McNabb will be given a warm welcome back on Sunday but for some reason I doubt it. This is a fan base that actually prides itself having cheered when Michael Irvin, Cowboys Hall of Fame WR, was almost paralyzed on the turf in old Veterans Stadium in 1999. Couple the history of the Eagles fan base with the fact that Michael Vick their current QB has played awfully well the past two-weeks without killing or maiming any dogs in the area and my guess is that McNabb’s efforts in the past have already been forgotten.
Fans often forget that only one trophy is awarded each season in every sport thus not winning a title doesn’t necessarily make the season a complete failure. The Eagles were awfully good for over a decade with McNabb leading their team and before his devastating knee injury, McNabb was a scary guy to play against because of his ability to run with the ball and throw while running. In other words, McNabb could beat a team on his own with a mediocre offensive line in front of him- there is nothing more demoralizing to a defense than to pressure a QB only to have him run 20 yards for a first down.
Donovan McNabb is a proud guy and being traded to a divisional rival that the Eagles play twice annually shows you exactly what the Eagles though of McNabb at the end of his days with the team; they don’t fear him. I expect McNabb to be a bit emotional on Sunday but I also expect him to be very motivated. Based on his history, we should see the best of McNabb this weekend; whether that translates into a Washington win or not remains to be seen.
McNabb didn’t ask to be traded, the Eagles told him he wasn’t wanted anymore. Based on the preceding statement why do I expect the Philly “Boo-Birds” to be in full force? In other words, why would a fan boo a player who didn't ask to leave the team but instead was traded? Why the Philadelphia fans would boo a guy who was a pillar in the community and was the 3rd most winning QB of the past decade is beyond me but many things fans say and do these days often leave me perplexed. I hope I am pleasantly surprised on Sunday and hear McNabb applauded when announced but given the City of Brother Love’s rabid fan base and short memories, I will expect their worst and hope for their best.
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