McNabb hopes to walk out of right tunnel
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
McNabb hopes to walk out of right tunnel
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
After 11 years of meeting with the Philadelphia media at the NovaCare Complex and/or Veterans Stadium for his regularly scheduled Wednesday press conference, Donovan McNabb for the first time spoke to local reporters via conference call.
The Eagles are hosting the Washington Redskins on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field -- in case you hadn't heard -- and McNabb will be making his first appearance at the stadium in a different uniform.
"Hopefully, I walk out the right tunnel," McNabb said. "I may need some help with that."
There has been a lot made of what kind of reaction the quarterback will receive upon his return to the Linc. Most polls indicate that McNabb will be received warmly -- at least until game time.
McNabb said that he was hoping to hear some cheers.
"But in reality you got to remember that it’s kind of a big rivalry and one that obviously we see each other twice a year," McNabb said. "So there will be some realization there as far as hopefully after the fact that they recognize that I’m back but just knowing that I’m with the Redskins. So I’m sure they won't be happy with that aspect.”
McNabb maintained his stance that he's trying to approach the game as if it were "any game."
"I think people are probably looking at it a little deeper right now than anything," McNabb said. "You got to remember it's just Wednesday. That was me kind of expressing how my emotions may be. It's kind of hard for me to explain at this particular point. But it’s probably something I can answer after the game."
McNabb, of course, will be facing an Eagles team that now has Michael Vick as its starting quarterback. McNabb had something to do with the team signing Vick last August. But when the Eagles traded McNabb in April not many expected Vick to be the Eagles starter when the team hosted the Redskins and McNabb. Kevin Kolb was supposed to be the guy, but now he's not.
“It’s a tough situation when a guy gets hurt and you would expect him to have an opportunity to step back in ," McNabb said. "But in due time Kevin will be fine.”
Last week, McNabb was asked about the quarterback switch during his Washington radio show. He said he wasn't necessarily surprised because "that's Philly." Asked to clarify his comments McNabb said: "I've only been in one place so I don’t know anywhere else. Are you trying to reach for something that’s not there.”
Asked further what he meant, McNabb said, "What I meant is what I said.”
McNabb said that he and Andy Reid remain "good friends," even though it was the coach that traded him to an NFC East Division rival.
" He stuck his neck out and drafted me in ‘99," McNabb said. "We had a lot of success together. Obviously we’ve been through some ups and downs tighter. Things happen. It’s unfortunate. Was I upset at the time? Absolutely. I moved on. I've learned to move on and focus on the job at hand.”
How long was it before he moved on?
“Well, I was here the next morning after the trade to work out with the guys and spent time with him," McNabb said. "So I’ve moved on from it.”
I have heard it all, I will be cheering Mcnabb when he comes out I do hope the Eagles win(they should win if the D shows up)but phillyqueen22 you are an idiot, Mcnabb threw what 4-5 touchdowns on a broken leg, he was always rushed back into the lineup after he got hurt because everyone felt we could not win with out him, I guess we should have taken Ricky with the first pick, oh and wolf and the rest of the haters Kolb was looking great holding that clip board— will69- For the most part, Eagles fans never have booed individual Redskins players in the past, so why should they start now? Remember, McNabb didn't sign with the Redskins as a free agent. He got traded....against his will, basically. So its not his fault that he's coming into the Linc as the enemy. Eagles fans should show him the respect that he deserves (at least before the game starts) for 11 years of hard work and mostly successful results. Once the whistle blows, its war. All bets are off.
— SteveS11 - I think he should get a standing ovation when he enters the stadium, after the kick-off,,,,well he's the enemy, and it is Philly, he knows what to expect after the kick-off!— SDphillyfan
- It should be 100% cheers when he is introduced and 50/50 during and after the game. Everyone should give him a cheer in the beginning out of respect for how he perfomred for 11 years but after that, he is just another Redskin.— matty177
"...but just knowing that I’m with the Redskins. So I’m sure they won't be happy with that aspect.” No, actually I'm pretty darn happy with that aspect. But isn't it obvious from his comments that he hasn't "moved on" and still carries a grudge? Hell, he still hasn't moved on from his benching in Baltimore, or the draft day booing, or any other real or perceived slight over the years.— tornadoh- @Chuck Earley Sr>>>You are an immature, racist fool. McNabb should get booed because he has a good family that care for him and look out for him? Um, no, that's idiotic. And "black on black crime"---is there any more racist of a statement? Did Donovan's dad pull out a gun and shoot T.O.? No, that would be crime. Calling it like he sees it is not a crime, regardless of the race. What, black people can only call out white people when they do wrong or it's a crime? T.O. is scum as a football player. I don't know him as a person but I know he doesn't have a criminal record and haven't heard much about him off the field, nor do I care. As a teammate he's a disgrace and has trashed every place he's ever been. And he's a loser. With all of his stats and great catches and whatnot the last time he played the field in a playoff game where he team was when back when Jeff Garcia led a 49ERS comeback over the Kerry Collins-led Giants. A lifetime ago. Black on black crime---what a racist term. (And yes, Black People can be RACIST.)— Eilex826
- Eilex- your clueless,I am not a racist. I only repeated Mr McNabb's ridiculous statement.Comparing a petty rift between 2 football players to horrible crimes perpetrated in the streets is the immature stance. Try to read more carefully and think before you respond.— Chuck Earley Sr
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