All's Cool with DJax; Browns Talk to Heckert
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
All's Cool with DJax; Browns Talk to Heckert
Daily News staff
UPDATED: DeSean Jackson said Tuesday he has discussed with Donovan McNabb what McNabb said after Snday's game, when McNabb was asked whether the Eagles showed their youth.
"Not necessarily," Jackson said, when asked if he'd been upset by McNabb's comments. "He made a comment, whatever his comment was about, I didn't hear the question that he was asked. But we talked, and you know, it's nothing big. We just have to keep it in-house and stick together as a team and don't let things like that break us up. We talked about it, cleared it up, and it's all right."
In other breaking Eagles news, a league source confirmed that Eagles general manager Tom Heckert is to travel to Cleveland tonight to interview for a similar position. The Browns just hired Mike Holmgren, Andy Reid's mentor, to run their operation. Hard to say how much personnel autonomy Heckert would have there; Reid said recently he thought the time had come for Heckert to get the chance to run his own shop, which he said was why the Birds have seemed less ardent about keeping Heckert than they were several years back when job openings would come up.
A source with knowledge of the situation said Heckert would only take the job if he had final say over personnel.
Earlier, McNabb attempted to clarify what he'd meant Sunday.
"It all starts with me. I have to raise my level of play, and everyone else has to, as well ... What I meant is, we have a young team, and a lot of things we were doing just were very uncharacteristic of what we did all throughout the year. I wasn’t blaming it on anyone, by any means. I said it was my fault on the snap, and I said that I need to elevate my game. I think at times, too many people focus on just little things, and not focus on what the whole question and the whole answer is. I’ve never attempted or even tried or will ever throw anyone under the bus. That’s just not me. I don’t do that. For these young guys, these young guys are part of the reason why we’re in the position we are. They’ve made a lot of plays for us, all throughout the year, and they will continue to make plays for us.
Later, he said, "I have never thrown anyone under the bus and never will ... That's not me."
McNabb said he has no issues with Jackson.
He said players need to make plays rather than worrying over whether someone is going to, and that they need to recapture the excitement and eagerness to make plays they exhibited during their six-game win streak.
As for his future, McNabb said he feels he "will be here for a lot of years," no matter what happens in the playoffs.
"Do I have to answer this every year?"
Jackson, by the way, said he practiced with no ill effects from the groin tweak he suffered in Sunday's game. He also was asked about his tweet promising the Eagles would "sting they (butt)" this time around. Jackson said he doubted Dallas really needed motivation.
EARLIER:
Anything Donovan McNabb says becomes fodder, whether correctly interpreted or not.
One of the young players seemingly in question is DeSean Jackson.
The wide receiver was asked last night on his radio show on 97.5 FM The Fanatic about McNabb’s comments and whether his message in the locker room is different than what it appeared he was trying to say during the news conference.
“He basically is saying just step it up,” Jackson said. “Everyone has to play their abilities. He takes responsibility for himself also. He kinda gives and takes. At the end of the day we have to be on our A game. For us to win and be where we need to be, everyone needs to play good. All that pointing fingers and saying it’s my fault. It’s not time for that right now. We have to play A ball.”
Co-host Harry Mayes followed the clip of McNabb’s news conference with this: “How about him making a play? He’s an 11-year veteran. He’s been to multiple Pro Bowls. Take some responsibility, put it on yourself and make a play.”
Jackson’s response: “Yes, sir … Understood … Definitely … Without a doubt.”
Jackson said the players remain insulated from the talk surrounding the team, but added, “ If you played that [sound bite] through the locker room, that’s not something nobody wants to hear.”
Asked if there would a be conversation between he and McNabb, Jackson said. “Ain’t no telling. We talk and have conversations and things. You never know.”
The other McNabb issue du jour concerns the numerous camera shots Sunday that showed McNabb grimacing and frustrated with what was happening for the Eagles’ offense.
“Him being the leader and the bulk of the offense you depend on him to do everything,” Jackson said. “It doesn’t look good. It’s hard to see our quarterback being mad, sometimes it’s understandable. You have to shake it off and become a part of everything that’s going on. The best thing I can say is try not to show those emotions or feelings on the field.”
Jackson said after miscommunications and other mishaps, all you can do when you get back to the huddle is “move on, man, move on.”
Jackson has struggled in the two games against the Cowboys, with a combined five catches for 76 yards.
“I’m going to do any and everything I can,” he said. “I can’t control other things out there. As long as I go out there and leave everything I got on the field and run my routes as fast as I can to get open. At the end of the day, that’s all I can do.”
Jackson tweaked his hamstring Sunday, but indicated he was not concerned.
“It was a freak accident,” he said. “It’s not too bad. With the treatment and things we can do to get it better, I’ll be ready.”
As for the game overall Sunday, Jackson said, “It was an embarrassing situation to be in a game like that and not be able to score no points at all. We’ve got another chance. Can’t worry about yesterday. It was what it as and it was not good. We have to move on.”
You can listen to the audio from Jackson's radio show below.
JLJ: I was referencing a line from Lord of the Rings. I have no intention of getting into this argument. McNabb is what he is, some people give him too much credit, some don't give him enough.— gho_matt
I've been an Eagles fan my whole life, but when I was stationed in Texas and saw how those fans stand behind there team. I always heard how ignorant Eagles fans can get, when I lived in Philly I was offended, but now that I live elsewhere it makes me ashamed to say we don't deserve to win anything. Some things never change, you didn't like Randell Cunningham either. Sometimes we behave like ungrateful thugs— hodges8476- JLJ, you must not watch other games because Brady and Manning constantly do exactly what you described McNabb doing.— brian2706
- JLJ - I'll take "McChump's" analysis over yours any day of the week. You sound like your 6 year old in your argument. The team has had a great season (especially given their injury challenges ALL YEAR). Kolb is going to be a great QB, I really believe that, but McNabb is still currently better. Kolb knows that, that's likely why he's content to keep 'waiting in the wings'. Also, he knows what kind of seasoned weapons he's going to inherit once he does take the reins, whether it be next season or 2011. Guaranteed: that in a room filled with just you and McNabb and the only clown in sight is YOU!!!!!— Herc142
- dudega, thank you for showing these morons what a "True Eagles Fans" is supposed to act like. There are 20 cities that wish they had somebody to cheer for next week. Support "OUR" team and stopped complaining.— hodges8476
- For a very long time I felt that people in Philly didn't appreciate what they had in McNabb...Until this past Sunday when I saw him over throw and throw behind people ALL GAME LONG and just smile when he made the errand throws only to see him grimace and throw his arms around when others made mistakes. I love the Eagles, I have enjoyed the tenure with #5 but his act is getting old and I am starting to see what the so called "haters" have been seeing for years.— silrock327
- All the Philly media reporters, deep down, root for the cowboys, and the sad part is the fans expect to hear quality articles, instead of trying to get a player or two say something about another player. Soap opera, that is what Bob,Phil and the daily news staff writer want to destroy this team.— BobDeschak
- Denali - FIrst off, McNabbaccepted "full responsibility" for the fumbled snap...second, it was a bad snap. 'Nuff said.— Herc142
Comment removed.- Please do not mention Brady and McNabb in the same sentence.— ant8817
- Comment removed.
- I think the picture of McNabb on the sidelines says it all about him. Staring off in the distance with his head tilted to the side with a whoa is me face. A true leader rounds up his troops and gets them fired up and ready for the next series. Would you follow someone with a face like that into battle? I sure wouldnt— barefoot
- Hey Ant....you just did! hahahahahahahahahaha— Herc142
- JLJ, what has Kolb proven? Why do haters always want to pull stats into the conversation. The only stats that matter are wins ans losses. Trent Dilfer won a SB and didn't complete 10 passes. Jeff Garcia was better than McNabb too, how did that work out? Kolb is another A.J. Feely, nothing more.— hodges8476
- Hodges8476 - Superbowl ring score: Brady 3, McMope 0— delder
