2006 Might Be Eagles Quarterback Donovan McNabb’s Best Season yet
Until 2005, the Philadelphia Eagles, winners of 4 consecutive division titles and the defending conference champion, had grown accustomed to being the heavy favorite. Now, after a dismal, injury-racked, drama-filled 6-10 season, the Eagles are now the hunters instead of the hunted. For the first time in a long time, almost no one is picking them to make the playoffs, much less win the division, the conference, or the Super Bowl. They are truly the forgotten underdog; however, it’s a position Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb relishes.
When asked what player was his favorite athlete was growing up, McNabb, a Chicago native as well as a true student of his craft, replied simply.
“Michael Jordan.” McNabb said. A player who was infamous for his ability to channel any slight, real or perceived, into fuel to elevate his game to new heights. After last season, McNabb has more than enough in the tank to fuel the entire east coast.
Yet, instead of being tight-lipped and reticent, McNabb is having fun again.
A recent example: In the aftermath of the departure of Wide Receiver Terrell Owens, the Eagles have received much criticism for their lack of a “stud” receiver to replace TO’s production. When asked during training camp by Sports Illustrated Michael Silver to name his pick for a possible breakout surprise among that much maligned receiving corps, McNabb paused then stroked his chin pensively, seeming to give the question much thought.
“John Turner,” McNabb responded.
Silver scribbled the name down furiously. “Wow,” Silver said. “You’ve got me on that one, because I’ve never heard of the guy.”
McNabb flashed his playful grin. “You got me too. He’s not even on the roster. Dude’s so fast, you don’t even see him out there.”
Another training camp example: McNabb, appearing on ESPN’s Pardon The Interruption, was asked by host Michael Wilbon asked him to name the one slam, of all the insults and slams McNabb had taken over the past year, that actually hurt McNabb the most.
McNabb paused, pondering the question, then looked dead into the camera and answered with the utmost seriousness.
“My sexiness,” McNabb said. “Because I take pride in my appearance and how I look, and for someone to say I’m not sexy, it really bothered me. But I’ve worked really hard during the offseason, to get my sexy back.”
McNabb grinned then waggled his eyebrows.
In addition, during his camp-opening press conference, McNabb was asked if he’d write a book like his former receiver did. McNabb smiled.
“Yes, I will,” McNabb said, pausing for effect. “It will be a children’s book. Right next to his.”
Clearly, McNabb is a man at peace with his world and his surroundings. In practically every interview and public appearance, McNabb seems playful, confident and very self-assured. Thus far, McNabb’s confidence has translated to his play on the field. In the Eagles first two preseason games against the Oakland Raiders and the Cleveland Browns, McNabb has completed 10 of 12 passes for 117 yards while playing maybe three series total. He has threaded needles through traffic and dropped rainbows from the sky.
Rookie wideout J.J. Outlaw, from Villanova, said he takes special note when he’s running routes for McNabb.
“When Don’s up there, you tend to focus in a little more,” Outlaw said. “He’s a great quarterback; he puts ’em right where his receivers have the best opportunity to catch it. You can’t ask for much more from a quarterback.”
Wide receiver Carl Ford, who came to the Eagles last season from the
Chicago Bears, agreed.
“When he wants to put it there, he will,” Ford said. “You better get your head around pretty fast… A lot of quarterbacks throw hard, but can’t put touch on it; he knows how to put touch on it. That’s one thing you probably can’t teach.”
“He’s put that ball through a needle like I’ve never seen in my life,” Eagles rookie wide receiver and training camp sensation Hank Baskett said. “That’s why he’s paid the big bucks, that’s why he’s here… He’s going to be one of the greatest to play the position.”
Ironically, compliments were the one thing McNabb didn’t hear much of last season, especially from his receivers, one in particular. Yet, regardless of what his “critics” believe, this has never been a man easily rattled by much. After all, McNabb once threw 4 touchdown passes while playing on a broken leg.
McNabb has dealt with being booed on draft day by local Eagles fanatics who preferred infamous running back Ricky Williams, a group that included then-Mayor now-Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell. The NFL suspended Williams for this season for repeated substance abuse violations then broke his arm while playing in the CFL, by the way. Regarding this issue, McNabb has repeatedly said that he forgives, but he never forgets.
“That’s why we brought him here,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said. “We knew he could handle the city of Philadelphia, and it takes a strong person to do that.”
Now, Hurricane TO has blown southwest, settling with the Eagles’ hated division rival Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles’ only wide receiver free agent acquisition during the offseason was Jabar Gaffney, whose best output was 55 catches last season for the Houston Texans. Gaffney gained 492 yards on those catches in 16 games, which was 71 yards less than TO’s 763-yard 7-game 2005 season.
Numerous critics have come out of the woodwork, many picking the Eagles to finish last in the NFC East, a division they have dominated since 2001. People commonly point to two factors: the slippage of a once top-notch defense and the lack of a proven playmaker at wide receiver as fatal flaws. Those “critics” conveniently forget that the 2005 edition of the Eagles feared blitzing defense was decimated by several injuries that have since fully healed. In addition, with the addition of defensive end Darren Howard, the defense now looks stronger than ever. They also forget that the current receiving corps is probably more talented then the group McNabb used quite effectively during his three title-game trips pre-TO.
With emerging 2nd year player 6’1 Reggie Brown, 6’4 rookie camp phenom Hank Baskett from the University of New Mexico, 6’3 Darnerian McCants, 6’1 Gaffney, and 4th round pick 6’0 Jason Avant from Michigan, the team clearly has more talent than the 6’2 Todd Pinkston, 5’11 Freddie Mitchell(aka Fred-ex), 6’0 James Thrash combo featured during those title runs. Due to Pinkston’s slow recovery from his Achilles injury, the current group might lack a prototypical speed receiver, but the group does have a number of big physical receivers who know how to use their bodies to get open.
In addition, they still have a super-versatile playmaker in halfback Brian Westbrook and athletic receiving tight end L.J. Smith. The Eagles also signed tight end Matt Schobel from Cincinnati, giving them some more options in the two-tight-end set. They still have explosive 2nd year running back Ryan Moats who can spell and/or play alongside Westbrook to cause matchup problems. The Eagles have also upgraded their offensive line, promoting center Jamaal Jackson and guard Todd Herremans to the starting lineup, giving the team a group of road graters averaging approximately 330 pounds per man.
However, the Eagles biggest weapon is still the quarterback. McNabb is back; fully healed from the painful sports hernia that plagued him all of last season, from the start of training camp until he finally shut it down in week 9. Ironically, McNabb was able to play well enough through the pain to win the NFL Player of the Month award for September. His best performance, though, came Oct 2 in Kansas City. After falling behind the Chiefs by scores of 17-0 and 24-6, McNabb, while in great pain, ignored one of the most hostile crowds in pro sports and dug down deep, virtually willing the Eagles to a 37-31 comeback victory. McNabb completed 33 of 48 passes for 369 yards and 3 touchdowns.
By all accounts, McNabb is in great shape, ready to show off the myriad of skills that made him the NFL’s best double-threat QB, even including Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick.
“I’ve watched a lot of film during the offseason.” McNabb said. “Just seeing what I could do to improve for this year, things I could’ve done different. Saw some opportunities to run as well.”
Make no mistake; McNabb is ready to have an explosive season. His team is more together and more focused. A whole unity’s been reinforced, with McNabb and other important team leaders like linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and free safety Brian Dawkins right in the center. Moreover, the QB has set the bar high. McNabb, who lives and trains in Arizona during the offseason, ran into New England Patriots quarterback and 3-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady at a Phoenix hotel. After trading notes and swapping stories for 20 minutes, the two soon parted company, but not before McNabb issued a challenge.
“I’m looking forward to Round 2,” McNabb told Brady, who smiled, also embracing the possibility. Maybe the Eagles, with their emboldened QB Captain back at the helm, might be ready to fly back to the Super Bowl once more
