Should Donovan Be Here?
Philadelphia Inquirer Sports Columnist Bob Ford writes about the Eagles, the Phillies, the Sixers and the Flyers.
Should Donovan Be Here?
Bob Ford, Inquirer Sports Columnist
Cornerback Ellis Hobbs said an interesting thing this week when someone asked if it felt a little strange for him, as an established veteran, to be at a non-mandatory Organized Team Activity usually reserved for rookies, free agents and selected veterans trying to hold onto their jobs.
"No, brother. I came from New England. Everybody's there. If you could walk, you were there," he said. "It was voluntary-mandatory, if you know what I mean."
We know what you mean, and maybe some of that undercurrent of discipline -- even if the NFLPA might disagree -- is why the Patriots won three Super Bowls recently. It is certainly why quarterback Tom Brady was there this week, getting a jump on knowing the new guys and re-acquainting with the old guys.
Brady is coming off an injury this year, but that's not the motivation. He's there every year, because it is expected that the players, in exchange for their nice salaries, do the extra work that they don't really have to do.
In another organizational environment, Brady could stay at his vacation home with his beautiful wife and he could have passing drills with whatever receivers happen to live in the same resort area. This would qualify as "working hard," even though it wouldn't help his own receivers learn to run routes the way he likes them to be run, or learn to catch the kind of passes he throws.
In other words, he could have the same deal with his team that Donovan McNabb has with his.
McNabb stays in Phoenix when he isn't required to be here, and he has rigorous workout sessions there with his buddies. That's fine. It's what he believes is best for him. But is it best for the Eagles? Is it possible that the five days of OTAs from last week and this week would have benefitted the offense if McNabb got to know and work with LeSean McCoy and Jeremy Maclin?
We'll never know, because that isn't what happens here, even leading up to a season that is pivotal for both the Eagles and McNabb. For all the sternness attributed to Andy Reid, his team operates a lot more loosely than Bill Belichick's. He plays by the rules of the collective bargaining agreement and, perhaps, hopes that players will want to come in even if they don't have to.
When the team leader doesn't take that approach, it is difficult to sell it to the others. Just mark it down as another difference between the Patriots and the Eagles, a difference that is more than three points.
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Anybody know who crucified Brady? Why would anyone knock the best QB in football?— tpizza- Comment removed.
This is why newspapers all around the country are dying. I look for actual news, actual reporting, and I get paid blogs. No one said a word when TO and Donovan worked out together in Arizona and the Eagles went to the Super Bowl. If you hate McNabb, fine, just find a good reason.— G- Comment removed.
- Uh oh...here we go again....a meaningless article meant to drive the feeding frenzy that are called "fans". Please! McWhiner doesn't need to come to these OTAs. He's too fat filling his face with Chunky Soup and Roxy "pie". WHo would break away from that for OTAs?
- C'mon Bob. This is pretty much ridiculous.— toph7
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- Isn't the story actually a knock at AR for not making OTAs voluntary-manditory? wondo40, thanks for that perspective and insight. Appreciate the info.— tpizza
- Another piece of fiction. Maybe you should assume that if McNabb isn't there it's because that's what Reid wants and it's what's best for the team. Brady might be a distraction. Just because the Patriots won a couple Super Bowls, it doesn't make everything that they do the best practice. I'd bet if McNabb were in Philly, he'd be dealing with dopes like Bob Ford. Probably one of the reasons he's in Arizona.— MikeP
- Who cares? Let's worry about the Eagles when the season gets closer, huh? We've got a baseball team in first place, trying to go for another World Championship, something that the Eagles can't seem to do.— EddieMar
- wondo40 is RIGHT.....this is time for the coaches to work with the rookies and the new guys and the wounded returnees...it is indoctrination to the system , a philosphy and individual teaching time....McNabb and the reset of the vets will be here for weeks and we always complain that by the 10th week they need a break so why not let them rest till it is time to turn it on...they will be there...never fear....YOU haters should go to the beach and work on your sand castles for you have little else worth listening to....— nuggett
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Hey Bob....Your an IDIOT! Step in front of the 59B Bus you loser.— citysims
