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."
Dawkins, I am glad you called yourself an idiot. Remember, it is your JOB to play football and in your job you are required to know the rules. policies and procedure. Stopped caring about the Eagles long ago and happy the Phillies broke the "curse."— johnpolomano- I think all you people need to shut up...who cares, it doesnt matter anymore, its the media and you fans still talking about it, how bout we move on and cheer for a win sunday, remember we are only a half a game out of the playoffs, everyone relax and lets cheer them on. Noone is going anywhere right now so lets go...SHUT UP PEOPLE!!! Idiots, i wonder how many of you knew there was no second ot. I wonder how many fans that are talking sh t didnt know. Unreal...Dawk talk as much as you want. Gibba Mang shut up— Sgasda4
- The sad part is Andy Reid didn't know about the rule either. That's why he punted with 1:30 left to go. But at least he was smart enough (if you can believe that) not to admit it. The fact is, this level of incompetence is unacceptable by coaches and players making more money than most people will see in their lifetime. I pay hard earned money to go witness what that fat buffoon puts on the field. I guess the jokes on me.— Jamerock
- ---- neither of them sound like college graduates.— maude
I wish that all you wanna be GMs and Coaches would just shut up and enjoy the entertainment. Man, the Eagles have been fun to watch for the most part this year. Yeah, you're all perfect and never make a mistake at your jobs and either do your bosses. If any of you had the money, talent or smarts you might be able to have a part in a billion dollar team but ya don't so STFU! Oh yeah, if you really don't like it don't buy tickets and support the team but of course you probably just watch on tv at home and then beat your wives when the birds lose. Mwhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha- Player, in any sport, never know the rules. And those who officiate sports know this. I'm sure the NFL rulebook is read everyday!! Right.— Mark55
- Just because something hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean you shouldn't know about it until it happens.
- We do have a part in the billion dollar team. We pay their salaries. Without us they don't exist. Get a clue Tozmanian. BTW, I only beat the wife when yours asks me to.— Jamerock
- The bottom line is.. everyone sitting at home on their couches knew how the OT worked. How can the players not know??? It all goes back to how the fans care more than the players.— doorspj24
- Time to put this stupid issue to bed. Who cares whether any player knew the rule on overtime. It's the coaches who are (or should be) responsible for knowing the rule and communicating it to the players when necessary. I'm sure there are a number of things related to everyone's occupation that they either don't know or don't have to know, but their supervisor, manager, team leader have to know and tell their people when it's appropriate. This is so lame! Please, bury this stupid argument.— philasportsfan
- Brian Dawkins is a living legend and the only true leader on the team. Would you expect him not to defend his teammate?— Misfit1
- how is dawkins getting bashed by these "fans", he's a leader sticking up for his teammate and everyone on here is bashing him for being what this team needs. I agree that this team is frustrating, but we still have the talent, the play calling stinks, and mcnabb is in a slump. I can't wait til he leaves, like Schmidt, we'll notice how much he ment once he's gone.— JGeorge59
- Uhh, psv, I live in Virginia so I only listen to national sports talk radio and national sports talk radio is STILL talking about McNabb not knowing the tie rule.— PattiA
Continuing to blog about the tie and players not knowing what's in the rule book makes us ALL look like idiots--players AND fans. The entire country is laughing at us--at least those cities that have pro football teams. Drop the subject so we can all forget it and move onto more important subjects like asking Delaware if they would like to have a football team.— PattyJo
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