DAWKINS DEFENDS MCNABB AND ALSO MANGLES THE OT RULES
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
DAWKINS DEFENDS MCNABB AND ALSO MANGLES THE OT RULES
Bob Brookover
Eagles safety Brian Dawkins shook his head in disbelief when the overblown subject of quarterback Donovan McNabb's ignorance about the overtime rules was raised this afternoon.
"To me, that's one of the most ridiculous things ...," Dawkins said. "If you ask cats in this locker room going into that game, did they know the overtime rules were as such, I'm pretty sure the majority of them would have said, 'No, we did not know that,' because it does not come up. We don't sit at the meeting before the game and say, 'Listen, this is what's going on if it's overtime.' It never comes up.
"What you're thinking in an overtime game is that we're going to get the ball and go down and score. It's never going to come to a second overtime. ... I've been a part of it where there was one and we tied with the Baltimore Ravens. I actually knew the rule because I was a part of it. Those guys weren't a part of it."
Dawkins' defense of McNabb lost some steam and logic momentarily after that.
"If we had won that game and he had said what he said, would it be a big deal now?" Dawkins asked the gathered media. "No, it wouldn't be a big deal if we had won that game. But because we lost the game, it's a huge deal and now Donovan is an idiot because he didn't know. ... It's ridiculous."
Of course, McNabb would never have made his infamous disclousure if the Eagles had won because the game would have ended in overtime. It should also be noted that the Eagles did not lose, they tied.
Anyway, Dawkins' point was that too much is being made of McNabb's remarks and he has a point there because it didn't impact the outcome of the game.
Dawkins said when the Eagles played to a 10-10 tie with the Ravens in 1997 that he actually didn't know the overtime rules.
"Call me an idiot," Dawkins said. "I was an idiot in 1997. We went through the first overtime and had another coin toss. I knew there was overtime, but we went through the overtime and had another coin toss. As a matter fact, I might be loopey right now," Dawkins said. "We might not have even played two overtimes. We'll have to go back and look, but from my vast memory ..."
There was only one overtime period in 1997, too.
"See that, now I'm an idiot because I thought we had two," Dawkins said. "I'm an idiot."
I truly enjoy football. Some people have to get up every morning and get that coffee. Every Sunday and Monday (and now Thursday for those with the NFL network, I have to watch some football. In addition, I must say this about football or any undertaking that one embarks upon. When I was training and practicing my martial arts, i was told by a senior black belt, "Learn Your Profession!" With this in mind, there is no excuse that anyone that steps on the field doesn't know or shouldn't know the rules. They are there in black and white. You just didn't start playing the game. You watch it as a kid, while in high school, and college. Hopefully you also watch tapes. I don't blame McNabb for his comment or Dawkins trying to back him up. However, I blame Roger Goodell. Instead of going around the league and fining Pac Man Jones and others for off the field antics, you need to start fining those don't know the game that they are paid for. This is by far a bigger threat to football than a fight in a bar. In fact, this might lead to a fight in a bar, because if I bet somebody $100 and the game is a tie, I'm very mad and upset, just as much as the people that paid a couple of hundred dollars to go watch a tie game.— The Detective- seriously people.... who cares. The game is over and we did not win..... this season is over too. All the haters out there, congrats, you now have a reason to hate Mcnabb. When he's gone, you'll all be sad cause we will be back to the bubby brister days again. This is the best QB we've ever had and you are all going to regret this when he is a bear. Thanx mCnabb for the good you have done, this town has missed it.— stevo8drum
- your right detective....."this is by far a bigger threat to football"... do you realize that because of Pacman....somone is in a wheelchair for life? wow.... now thats ignorence....— stevo8drum
- This is totally over-blown. Who cares whether or not he knew. The problem is that he chokes pretty much everytime he has the chance to. I could care less about the overtime rule, if that's anyone's fault it's Reid's. McNabb's problems go way deeper than not know it would be over after one period. I've always defended McNabb, but if he couldn't get it done this year ... and he's shown he can't ... he's done. Reid's got to go too. You should win an SB with the talent they've had over the last 7 or 8 years.— McRocks33
- someone please fine.... the detective.— stevo8drum
- Jamerock, I can't agree with you here. I think that one of the best things during that game done by Reid was to punt the ball with a minute and thirty somethig second. This was smart because they were having trouble running the ball. If the didn't punt and went for it and didn't make it, the Bengals have the ball in Eagle territory and the field goal would have won the game for the Bengals. Smart tactical play.— The Detective
- Dawk, I guess We expect our professionals to know the rules as good as the fans. McDope makes a lot of bucks, acts as though He is Gods gift to us, We are frustrated can't You see that. Andy has to go.— cwoulfe2000
- Doc Rivers is a great coach, learn more about basketball before trashing a championship winning coach. ask the big 3 on boston and they will tell you Doc keeps that team humble and hungry.— dfal2510
- dawkins is the man, he bleeds green, and even as a player makin his millions is more an eagle than any of you phony fans have been or ever will be— Will.i.Am
- Yes. This is so stupid. The coach needs to know. We all know McNabb, even if he did know, wouldnt be able to talk Reid into changing his mind. He is too stubborn— Sports4Life
Right on, Will.i.am!— Nihilist- Dawk you have no clue to go along with your ability to make plays. You are making excuses for others and it just happens to be one you need in your corner as you are failing to do your job. It is a shame that this league is all about what have you done for me lately. I think your career as a regular player is sadly over. You have been such a team guy and played your heart out but it has become very obvious to this poster you are nowhere near at this time able to play the game at this level. I can understand your stand for one of your own but give it a rest it does not matter as this guy who is a professional does not know basic rules in the game? Time for the Obama effect to take place ....Change...and do it now!— DDH1205
- "No, it wouldn't be a big deal if we had won that game. But because we lost the game, it's a huge deal and now Donovan is an idiot because he didn't know. ... It's ridiculous." well at least Dawkins is admitting the tie was just as bad as a loss— Jason259
- The difference Dawk is that you had not been in the league for 10 years when that happened. McNabb has been an NFL QB for 10 seasons. He has also played in how many OT games. Do you know what Brady, Favre, the Mannings, Ben Roethlisberger, Kurt Warner, and hell even Trent Dilfer? They all know that a tied game ends in a tie at the end of the OT. Oh, yeah, they all have SB rings during your career as QB.— OMIGODEAGLES
- So many of these mindless rants are testimony to the long recognized lack of intellect on part of a significant number of Eagle fans. They're good at urinating in public, celebrating their manhood by bellowing F-Bombs before women and children and repeatedly trying to master their ability to spell a single English word 'E-A-G-L-E-S'! Can you spell 'BRAINS' you MORONS!— Nihilist
