Donovan McNabb on Michael Vick, Eagles' playcalling
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Donovan McNabb on Michael Vick, Eagles' playcalling
Zach Berman, Inquirer Staff Writer
Former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was on the NFL Network's NFL AM on Monday and discussed the Eagles. He did not say anything inflammatory or that wasn't true, but considering McNabb's history with the Eagles and specifically with this current regime, what he says carries validity. Here are his unedited comments on the Eagles:
On Vick's performance: "I just think it's a bad day at the office. If you look at the preseason, he wasn't able to get into a rhythm and get his feet up under him. This was another preseason game for him. I think Marty Mornhinweg will do a great job for him of getting his feet back under him and getting his confidence back. I thought he lost his confidence throughout that game. Walking off the field with his head down, that's just not like Michael Vick. Michael Vick's a guy who keeps his head up, continues to motivate the rest of the guys. I thought he lost his confidence early, which led to more and more turnovers all throughout the game."
On Vick throwing 56 times: "I think that was just a bad decision overall. I thought they should have ran the ball a little bit more. Shady McCoy did a great job of running the ball with over 120 yards rushing. And whenever you get in that position, you got to take the ball out of his hands and put it into the guy that's hot. If you run the screens, if you're running the ball or if you throw the shovel pass, do something just to get that confidence for Michael Vick. Continue to throw and throw and things aren't going well, you put your team in a bad position."
On whether Vick's performance was a cause for concern: "I don't think it's a cause for concern. I think the most important that we need to focus on is what's going to happen next week. They're playing a tough team with a tough defense next week, and I think now you go into the gameplanning, are we going to throw the ball 30, 40 times, or are we going to set it up with running the ball now. Because I think it's important you find out the mental makeup of Michael Vick this week. You're coming off a four-interception game, now what are you going to expect? Are you going to come back and think you're going to throw your way out of a slump, or just kind of get into a rhythm. I think it's important that Marty Mornhinweg and Andy Reid do a great job of getting his confidence by doing a three-step to five-stop game to get him back on course."
MCnabb should just go away! how vick plsyed yesterday, should have been a violation of his parole! He was terrible! I used to watch games and pray he wouldnt get hurt, yesterday I caught myself hoping that he would get hurt...then came the after game press conference, and I FORGAVE HIM!!!! Y? because Of a decade plus of Mcnabb never taking responsibility, always feeling persectued and always pointing the finger...Vick took it on the chin, and after 10 years of McNabb, I have to respect that!— johnGiam- RG3 played a depleted and terrible New Orleans defense....Wait till he gets up against a real NFL team defense....Those #s will deteriorate substantially...Redskins are no better than a 6-10 team.— briman
- Regardless that Vick was way off yesterday, it is the coach's responsibility to adjust the game plan. Reid did not change to the run until the last drive (result in TD); and, at that, Vick almost coughed it up on 2 passing plays. Eagles will not win a playoff game until he learns to adjust his game plan to counter adjustments made by the opposing defense. The offense line is average at best and, when the defense knows a passing play is coming, there is little hope the Eagles win the line of scrimmage.— Tom from MD
- I'll never understand those who like Vick more than McNabb. I guess it has to do with personality. But on the field, there is simply no comparison. McNabb was stronger, more accurate, more durable, a better reader of defenses and a better decision maker than Vick will ever be. While he certainly had his deficiencies, McNabb was pretty steady as the Eagles QB -- and on many days he was even great. Vick can be exciting with his feet and occasionally even with his arm, but he is just too inconsistent to be a reliable everyday QB.— HDTV
- Hateeeeeeeer everybody dislike McNabb. you guys forgot that. since McNabb left the town Reid and eagles never won a play off game. and if i m not mistaken McNabb never had a losing season since he took over as eagles QB not as rookie— jkazongo
- who the .... cares what they say in a press conference, or who takes responsibility. Too much is made of that nonsense. Play well on the field during games and when games matter, thats all a fan really cares about.— peteike
- McNabb was right on point with his comments.— kingsolomonsmind
- The Eagles pass too much! Duh!!!— billtfla
- Donovan's absolutely right. Maybe we should have kept him after all...as our head coach.— iceman
- McNabb was right on the money...and love him or hate him, has he really said anything we weren't thinking or already said?— gjgreen3
- He's the best QB in Eagles history. Doesn't matter if you like his personality or not. He's absolutely right about Andy Reid. There's no reason to rage and type insults, when the man is completely right. I swear these Eagles fans on here are like bitter ex-girlfriends. Let it go already.— Joyner80
even for andy reid, i was shocked how much they kept just trying to chuck the ball downfield. no attempt at screens, no runs...just mike vick dropping back 94 steps and throwing it 20 yards every down. reid must have thought he was playing madden or something— AlexSp- actually I think it's refeshing to see McNabb now be able to say what he really thinks...he's basically a good guy (nice guys finish last), a smart guy, who was unfortunately diappointing as a qb--probably has as much or more insight than most of the bozo ex-players on t.v -- and certainly more than most journalists who went into "journalism" when they couldn't get real job and spinning the truth to make excuses for Obama, Amaro, etc— warbiscuit
- AR should bring Foles in at times and put Vick in the`wildcat`.That would add another weapon.— bill the pill
- Hey losers(fans)Mcnabb would be a better QB for you than a dog Killer who can't throw a football. Michael Pick won't last through this season...hope you all are proud of your $100 million dollar LOSER!— MRD
