Berry Stands Up for McNabb
Cards defensive end Bertrand Berry stood up for his offseason workout buddy, Donovan McNabb, in a Super Bowl interview session.
Berry Stands Up for McNabb
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
News of Donovan McNabb's horrible accuracy, which many fans apparently think had more to do with losing the NFC Championship Game than the defense allowing four touchdowns, did not filter into the Arizona Cardinals' film assessment of their victory over the Eagles.
Cards defensive end Bertrand Berry, who works out with McNabb in Arizona in the offseason, brought up McNabb when Berry was asked Monday about NFL quarterbacks he respects. Actually, the question was about "up and coming young" quarterbacks, which McNabb, at 32, probably isn't, but Berry tossed his pal in there anyway, along with Carson Palmer, Jay Cutler and Phillip Rivers. Hey, Berry is 33 -- maybe to him, DMac is young.
"Obviously, I'm going to include Donovan McNabb there. He's one of my better friends," Berry said during the Cards' first media availability after they landed in Tampa to begin preparing for Super Bowl XLIII. "I think he's one of the better quarterbacks in this league, just the way he's able to be such a double threat, running and throwing the ball. He's got a rifle for an arm; some of those throws he made last week -- they were on the money. He hit the receivers in stride. You'd have to shoot the receivers if they'd dropped those balls."
(Bert, we have Donovan on the line for you. Something about a pistol and directions to Greg Lewis' house ...)
Berry said he has spoken with McNabb since the game.
"He just said 'Congratulations, go win it. You've gotten this far -- finish the deal. Do a little bit better than what I did.' " Berry said. "The last game was kind of tough, but we still maintain our friendship."
Meanwhile, Mark Whipple's hiring as the offensive coordinator for the Miami Hurricanes seems imminent, with reports in South Florida indicating an announcement will come today. Mr. Whipple, Ben Roethlisberger's quarterbacks coach the last time the Steelers reached the Super Bowl, three years ago, could have been in line to succeed Pat Shurmur as the Eagles' QB coach if he stayed with the Eagles. Whipple worked with the Eagles as a fuzzily defined "offensive assistant" this past season, which seemed mostly about giving the guy a job until he found a better one, helping him out of a "squeeze," if you will. Looks like he has found what he sought. Whipple's first task at Miami will be a home visit with running back Bryce Brown, ranked as the nation's top high school player. Brown had committed to UM and then softened his stance when former offensive coordinator Patrick Nix was fired.
Orderburger, I guess you were drunk when you posted your ridiculous post (2:00 in the morning). 12 teams that won't start McNabb on opening day? Please! Dolphins, Giants, Steelers, Packers... I'll give you the Patriots, Colts, Chargers, Saints and the Cardinals (because they are playing the SB and Warner is playing with a great supporting cast. It’s funny nobody was talking about Warner before this playoff run). And to some extent the Ravens and Falcons because Flacco and Ryan are young promising QBs. But please, the Packers, Dolphins, etc. Are you out of your mind? It’s funny you mentioned the Packers. They got rid of a future hall-of-famer, who took them to the playoffs last year. Where are they now with Rodgers? That’s the same thing some of you knuckleheads want the Eagles to do. Get a clue, or find another sport.— EL Zorro- Man this feraking convo is getting old!!! Yeah Mcnaab threw some balls off but by no means is he the reason we lost that game!!! Are you kidding me? 24 points in the first half!!! He is the best QB to ever wear an Eagle uniform PERIOD!!! Debate that... He has had a legitimate playmaker on year and we rolled our wat to the big game and played a great team!! No running game no tight end and he is the reason we lost all those games? What is our options Kevin Kolb? Be carefull what you wish because you number 5 haters who probaly never played a down of organized football will be hating on somebody even more if he is gone!!!— Tony from Scranton
Comment removed.- "Obviously, I'm going to include Donovan McNabb there. He's one of my better friends," Oh, well now I'm convinced, thanks.— Icacrai
- One thing is clear, for all you McNabb haters, with all the holes this team has (thank you Smush for pointing some of them. We can also add that we did not have a Pro Bowler in the offensive side of the ball, and a WR or a RB with 1,000 yds), #5 took the team to the final 4, while nine of the QB Orderbuger mentioned where long gone. Some of them did not even make it to the playoffs and were home watching. Think about that for a moment. Then you can post a reasonable comment.— EL Zorro
- You want ME to get a clue El Zorro? You are a pretty amazing fellow. LOL I don't think I have anything more to say to you that you would understand. In the future try to stick to the facts instead of personal attacks. BTW check out Rodgers dude. If the Packers had a defense he would have taken them to the Super Bowl. Hint: start at the top of the QB stats. Later dude.— obergruber
- Zorro you need to change your name bubba because you aren't close to being sly. Three of the QBs on my list made the championship games. And if it had not been for the Eagle defense a fourth would have been there. I am not a McNabb hater, but you McNabb huggers are a trip, but hey everyone needs a support system even losers.— obergruber
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- irishlaxer, hope you are under 10 with grammar like that. Remember that each time McSadd got hurt he was more than adequately replaced by out backups, Feeley and Garcia. Eagles had fine win loss ratios without McSadd.— Linus VP
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- Yes, orderburger and 9 didn't. What's your point? Like DMACRULEs said, if we had a big back and WR, and a fullback and blocking TE, we would not be having this discussion. The Eagles had a lot of holes (not to mention issues) and they still made to the Final Four and McNabb put the team ahead in the 4th quarter. What do you want him to do; throw the football and catch it? Kick the field goals and extra points, tackle James and Fitzgerald? BTW, nobody is “attacking’’ Akers here. Please get a clue or go play with Lonelyidiot and whoever agrees with both of you.— EL Zorro
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