McNabb: Sorry for No Supe
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
McNabb: Sorry for No Supe
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Donovan McNabb, obviously still not that far in the rearview mirror for Eagles fans, spoke briefly today with Vai Sikahema and John Gonzalez on ESPN 97.5. Not a lot of new ground was broken, which didn't come as a surprise to anyone who followed McNabb's 11 years in Philadelphia. DMac's focus was touting his family's fight against high blood pressure; he did not want to deeply probe the wounds he suffered over the years, or the ones that might have been created by his departure.
"The things that I set out to accomplish and bring back to Philadelphia, I wasn't able to, and I apologize, more than anything, to the people of Philadelphia, not bringing a Super Bowl to 'em, but it didn't happen, and I look forward to trying to achieve that goal here in Washington," McNabb said, the most explicit regret he has expressed.
There was much attempted delving into how the Eagles went from proclaiming McNabb would be the quarterback in 2010, early this offseason, to trading him on Easter Sunday. McNabb didn't have any answers there. The shift seemed to come when the Eagles realized that Kevin Kolb was not going to sign an extension as a backup quarterback, and that they were going to have to decide whether to franchise Kolb after this season -- possibly without really knowing if he could be a fulltime starter -- or lose him to free agency. Bottom line, going into the final contract year with both McNabb and Kolb was an untenable situation for a front office that insists on having the upper hand in contract talks.
"I was hearing the same things everyone else was hearing" early in the offseason,McNabb said. "Things change. Sometimes you get an immediate answer, sometimes you don't."
McNabb added that "Andy (Reid) and I still have a great relationship." He also wished "good luck to the Eagles and everything they set out to do."
McNabb complimented Kolb several times and avoided being drawn into a discussion of Kolb's strengths and weaknesses vs. McNabb's. He was not asked about wideout DeSean Jackson's interview last week, in which Jackson said he thought the Eagles would be fine with Kolb; McNabb was quoted then as taking exception.
"I wish nothing but the best for (Kolb)," McNabb said. "I know he's excited about it, and good things can happen for him."
Asked about his legacy, the Eagles' all-time leading passer reiterated what he said at his introductory press conference in Washington, five weeks back. He said he hoped he would be remembered as "a guy who provided excitement, who gave them a chance to win every time he stepped out on the field, one that they had trust, knowing that I would do the right things, an most importantly, one that won ballgames."
Did McNabb say in the interview if he packed his air guitar and brought it with him? Maybe he'll switch to air drums for a change? What do you think DooDoo...you haven't commented on this yet? Any word on McNabbs commitment to the Washington Nationals to help Stephen Strasburg with his slider that hits the dirt at the feet of the batters?
Comment removed.
Thanks DM! You gave us an exciting run of football in Philly after many long losing seasons. You, I, and the REAL Eagles fans understand what you gave us for a decade, and we're thankful for it. There's only two games this season I won't be pulling for you, but that's to be expected. You're a better man than some of these so called Eagles fans who can't bring themselves to acknowledge what you did for this franchise...but don't take them seriously, lord knows most of us don't either. Thanks 5!— Big Lou- I have a bad feeling that with McNabb gone we are going to expose our true weakness. The worst Game-Time Coach in football. The opposing defenses know what play Reid is going to run before he does. I just hope Kolb does a better job of getting the team out of the hole that moran gets us into week after week. He is a GM at best...— Rays trash
Can the fantatical Kolb supporters STOP referring to him as KK? It's very sketchy, not only because he's done very little so far, but because I bet y'all hope his middle name is "Kenny" or "Kraig" . . .— Leegles- The difference between Kolb and Klinger/Ware, is that the latter two were both thrown into the fire pretty quick, and ultimately failed because they needed to learn a completely different system on the fly. Kolb had three years of tutoring and apprenticeship under McNabb and Reid. He has seen the ins and outs, been in some games, now it's time for his final exam to see if he is for real. People are so down on him for his arm, but in this system you don't need a cannon arm like McNabb, you need to make the little throws, the simple ones, the ones McNabb struggled with routinely. McNabb was great, won a ton of games, had great numbers, but in the end 10 years of ALMOST just don't cut it anymore. Thank you 5, now let's get behind Kolb and pray for a title haha. E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES....AND GO FLYERS.— Omorales510
- I know what the writers say about McNabb (defensive) but he didn't come across that way to me, even during the TO situation. But, he didn't seem to have the eye of the tiger, either, even during big games. I agree with Repeat: McNabb is a good, not great, QB, who yielded good results.— eman
shakira called..she wants her shewolf back...my woman— wolf 4- Not needed Donny Mac...you did your best every Sunday,injuries and all...just like Jaws and Randall you will be missed by the haters as the years go on and on— Nails
- Super Bowl or not he still was the best QB in recent Eagles history. It was a great ride and I personally will be ashamed if Donovan isnt recieved well when he comes back. He wanted to stay but the business had to move him,but why to the Redskins? Remember...Dawkins left for a major payday and Donovan was traded. Please keep that in mind.— bigphillydad
- thx for the 11 great years donnie...my man— wolf 4
- Wolf writes: "the ringless one had the best defense in the nfc and all pro brian westbrook and he couldn't even lead the team over the tampa bay bucs who beat a horrible raiders team"...Wolfie, do us all a favor and stick to ranting, because when you try and inject FACTS into your arguments, you expose yourself as a typical WIP lemming, steeped in revisionist history. For the record: during the 2002 season, the Eagles did NOT have the "best defense in the NFC". Statistically from a yards and points allowed per game standpoint, the best defense in the NFC (and in fact the whole NFL) was...The Tampa Bay Bucs. Tampa's defense in 2002 featured THREE future hall of famers in Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, and Ronde Barber. Also, Brian Westbrook wasn't much of a factor in the '03 game against Tampa, since that was his rookie year and he was sitting the bench behind Staley and Dorsey Levens, and had all of TWO carries in that game. But other than all that, another fantastic, "objective" analysis by one of those "knowledgable" Philly sports fans the talking heads at WIP are always talking about. Well done, sir.— JLB
- KK did pretty well in 2 starts. Donovan has shown he can do it for the whole season. However, I am impressed by the way Kolb conducts himself. It is ridiculous to compare Kolb to Klingler and Ware. A better comparison would probably be Aaron Rodgers although to me KK seems more assertive. Glad to hear McNabb express some regret althought I don't think people are appreciative of what he accomplished and the physical pounding he took sometimes as a Philadelphia Eagles QB.— notch44
- I thought he was sorry that he "didn't win 16 games"...I will give him a standing o when he returns, but the man is a loser with a loser attitude.— Jdub1981
- LET'S GO FLYYERRRSS!!!!— jerseyphanatic17
