MCNABB WILL START AGAINST CARDINALS
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
MCNABB WILL START AGAINST CARDINALS
Bob Brookover
Donovan McNabb will be back at quarterback Thursday night when the Eagles play the Arizona Cardinals at Lincoln Financial Field.
Coach Andy Reid made that announcement at his weekly news conference following the Eagles' ugly 36-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens Sunday during which he pulled McNabb in favor of Kevin Kolb after halftime.
"As I said (Sunday), sometimes you have to take a step back to take a step forward in a positve way and Donovan will do that," Reid said. "This has nothing to do with Kolb's performance or Donovan's performance."
Reid added that he would not have changed his decision to relieve McNabb with Kolb in the second half against the Ravens.
"Donovan is going out to play," Reid said. "Sometimes it's good to step back and look at things at a little different angle. I expect him to go out and play his heart out. I think I know Donovan McNabb better than anybody in this room. Six turnovers, that's not him. That's not his game. That's not any part of his game."
McNabb had six turnovers in the Eagles' last two games and has thrown interceptions in each of his last four games.
Asked if McNabb would start the final five games, Reid said, "As I sit here right now, he's my starting quarterback."
Reid said his decision Sunday was based upon what he thought was best for his team first and for McNabb second.
"I will make every decision on what I think is best for this football team," he said. "That's the seat I sit in and the way I'll always approach it."
Reid also defended his decision to have quarterbacks coach Pat Shurmur inform McNabb of the quarterback change during halftime.
"That's how things are," Reid said. "I really don't care what anybody else thinks about that. That's how we do it. The coach approaches that player and then I talk to them afterward. It's not a matter of disrespecting Donovan or any other player."
Asked if he was concerned about the reception McNabb will receive before the Eagles' Thanksgiving night game against Arizona, Reid said, "You can't worry about all that. You take care of what you can control. You get rid of the ifs and play."
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If I go to the Linc, they're gonna stink. If we still have Reid, I'm gonna get tee'd. Cause watchin' McNabb, is a major drag.— carlosfunk- If I go to the Linc, they're gonna stink. If we still have Reid, I'm gonna get tee'd. Cause watchin' McNabb, is a major drag.— carlosfunk
- It's a shame that the best QB this franchise has ever known has had to be a part of this 'regime'. Any other franchise, any other coach, McNabb wins a Superbowl if not two. This coach, with his ridiculous offensive philosophy, inability to adapt over the years have and this franchises downright refusal to surround the QB with talent have ruined this QB and his legacy. Reid will have the Eagles in turmoil for years to come. Where is Jeff Lurie? Where is the accountability? Reid must GO mister Lurie. Do not make Mcnabb the scapegoat for this mans many, many failings!— Ozz
- but Bill, I am not denouncing Kolb! take a look at what I said: What if the THREE starting receivers from last year were not hurt? What if Westbrook were healthy? What if Andrews were If they were, we would not be having this conversation. As it is , Don was #8 ranked QB in the league with those issues! You would press abit much if you were in his position and make mistakes. Take a look at Seattle. They had serious offensive injuries. Are they speking of replacing QB even when he was healthy? It is a crying shame good coaches in pro sports and essential stars get fed to the dogs when there are serious injury issues. There is no question others have to step up in these situations and not make excuses! Many fans wanted Charlie fired and you just won the world series! Some of the most successful in all sports have struggled before massive success. Why not give Donovan and Andy a big welcome at the game? Try that! Frankly I believe more fan support has as much to do with this thing healing as it does the team winning. Why continue to kick the most successful coach and qb the organization has ever known whne they are down! Donovan was not healthy two seasons and now he is but his prime weapons are not. Let s move forward with chers when that team , coach and QB come out before the nation Thurs nite. OK Philly, here is your chance to shock the nation,, who knows? The team just might as well! Nothing to lose here. It is a new direction that has yet to be tried. We are all in it together. How about it?— billgfc
- how are you going to win in november and december without a strong running game. get mcnabb some help. and get a new play caller!!— DjCj
- Andy Reid is the problem not Dnabb he isn't the one calling pass plays every time on 3rd n 1 this season AR has been atrocious— The Kid
- 2 quarters and we already know Kevin Kolb stinks? Huh.— doorspj24
- How can any true Philly fan still defend McNabb! Yes, he's a nice guy, but as a player he's been over-rated his entire career, never more so than the last few years. Why is it, whenever he gets hurt, the team plays either the same or -- more often -- better?! Am I the only one who sees this? Last year when he got hurt before they played the Patriots, was I the only one who thought that they suddenly had a chance to win (and they almost did!)? His play has held this team back for too long. When you can plug Koy Detmer, A.J. Feeley, Jeff Garcia, etc. in, and it always makes the team better, then HE IS THE PROBLEM. And by the way, every time I read about Garcia leading Tampa to victory, it makes me sick that we could still have him. If only they'd cut McNabb and kept him, I bet you anything they'd have made the playoffs last year and be headed toward them this year. There's been many games (one prominent example is the Giants loss this year) where I've said afterward, 'I bet Garcia would have won that game.' I would never root for a man to get hurt, but when Donavan getting injured is the only chance I think our team has of making the playoffs this year, then wouldn't it be wise to just bench him?— roussey
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- ok Forrest , Westbrook hurt Buckholder hurt... Smith, Brown, Curtis all missed big time in past from injury what are you? cluesless? Just what quarterback can thrive with several key weapons missing.... including two who are all pro and the VERY best! Donovon has a higher rating than Romo and Romo has had healthy playmakers ALL YEAR! So has Manning? What would they do in this situation? HUH— billgfc
Reid finally made a decent decision, but he did not have the kazookies to back it up and stick with Kolb. This last move makes as much sense as a pass play with second and goal from the six inch line after a . We know what we have with McNabb. He had his chance and choked.- IT DOES NOT REALLY MATTER WHO STARTS AT QB FOR THE EAGLES. COULD BE EITHER MANNING BROTHER OR ONE BACKING UP THE OTHER. THEY HAVE NO RUNNING GAME AND TEAMS JUST PLAY THEM FOR THEIR SUB PAR PASSING GAME AND YOU SEE THE RESULTS. THIS IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE.— JACK V
- THE REAL SURPRISE THIS SEASON IS MCNABB HASN'T GOT HURT YET. ALL THE LOSSES WERE PREDICTED. MOST PHILLY WRITERS WERE GIVING THEM SEVEN WINS. WON'T HAPPEN. BY THE WAY, THIS IS L J SMITH'S BREAK OUT YEAR.— JACK V
