McNabb on the Hall of Fame
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
McNabb on the Hall of Fame
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Andy Reid started it, the columnists and sports talkers continued it and, well, I'm going to keep it going: Is Donovan McNabb a Hall of Fame quarterback right now? I asked the Eagles quarterback -- who turned 33 today -- that very question at his news conference. The question was prefaced with the statement that the topic was a hot one on local airwaves, Web sites and newspapers.
"Really?" McNabb said with mock astonishment.
So where do you stand, Don, on the question?
"I'm a football player just playing football," McNabb said. "If that was to happen, that's great. If not, I think everything that I've been able to accomplish and took to accomplish in the next few years, that's something you can't take away from me. You can't take away the body of work of any individual who's playing in any sport. Everybody focuses so much on numbers. They can take whatever opinion they want from it. But I know one guy who should be in the Hall of Fame who's not and that's Harold Carmichael. So there's a lot more to making the Hall of Fame then just one person saying he should be a Hall of Famer."
McNabb was then asked if a quarterback has to win a Super Bowl to be Hall of Fame worthy.
"I don't think with any player you need to win a Super Bowl or world championship to make the Hall of Fame," said McNabb, who will pass Ron Jaworski as the Eagles' all-time leader in games played for a quarterback with his 144th this Sunday. "Again it goes back to your body of work and how effective you were for your team and how much of a threat you were playing against other teams. How teams game planned to stop you. How teams feared the talents that you presented to them. I think there's a lot that goes into. Dan Marino and a bunch of other players -- I think Fran Tarkenton didn't win a Super Bowl. But they're still Hall of Famers."
Here are McNabb's career numbers, by the way: 31,249 career passing yards, 59.0 completion percentage, 208 touchdown passes, 95 interceptions, 86.4 passer rating, 3,187 rushing yards, 27 rushing touchdowns.
The Eagles are 87-48-1 when he starts. He's reached four NFC championship games and is 1-4 in those contests. He's 0-1 in the Super Bowl.
Dissect away ...
In other news, cornerback Asante Samuel and linebacker Akeem Jordan did not practice today. Reid said that wide receiver Kevin Curtis (knee) and running back Brian Westbrook (concussion) were out for Sunday's game against the Redskins. Reid said that Westbrook has begun exercising this week.
I wish you people would sometimes just report the news, instead of trying to stir up controversy to make the news. Very tiresome.— FKD215
Comment removed.- This is why people get frustrated with McNabb. Why can't he just say I don't deserve to be in the Hall of Fame unless i win a Superbowl and that is all i care about right now. Even if that is not true it would be nice for him to make comments like that when asked these questions— Lemur
- One look a the stats and a knowledgeable fan would have to see that McNabb has a shot at the HOF. 30000 yds and 200 TD puts you right up there with many HOF QB's. He already exceeds the career totals of some and DMac has a few more years to add to his numbers. If you understand turnovers then those stats plus the lowest int% of any QB in history should get him in. Namath is in with only 27663 & 173 TD plus 220 int. Most of the idiots who rant about no heart and such wouldn't have the guts or skill to step on the field in the NFL. The guy played a game on a broken ankle, just had two badly broken ribs that would have put most people out of action for months and some foolish fans call him names like McSofty etc. Like Mike Schmidt they won't realize how great a player they were watching until he is in Canton wearing a yellow jacket.— brs50
- @FKD... with 24/7 news cycle they have to stir up controversy or they would have nothing to report. its like when someone releases nfl power rankings, what kind of info is that, absolutely none, just one writers opinion on what teams are better than others. the sports news business is so over saturated now they have to do stuff like this to differentiate themselves, or else they are no different than the wire reports on espn, etc.— Greg S
- He's just a no ring wonder.— RICK49
- Comment removed.
- Lemur - You're an idiot. McNabb's response was a very reasonable one. He's not a puppet, there is no reason why he should answer these stupid questions the way you mention in your post. Why would he need to say "I dont deserve to be in the Hall of Fame unless I win a Superbowl"? Obviously we all want the Eagles to win one and that goal is the ultiamte one, but precendent backs up Mcnabb here. You DO NOT actually need to win a superbowl to make it to Canton. It does help though.— chaz190
- birds eye view has a great why to incite the fans--the above picture says its all--BOZO BOZO BOZO !!!— jwatson
- Why would he say he doesn't belong!!!, Don's answer was very decent and honest, nobody would shot himself in the foot saying he doesn't belong when your accumen makes you a clear cut consideration at least.— fabfan
- McNabb's stats actually compare pretty favorably with other Hall-of-Fame QBs. The difference is the Superbowl victories. If McNabb wins a Superbowl, then he's a lock for the Hall-of-Fame and he might get there anyway. McNabb's stats: 142 games, 31,249 yards, 59% completions, 6.9 yards per pass, 208 passing TDs, 95 INTs, 86.4 passer rating, 3,187 rushing yards, 5.7 yards per carry, 27 rushing TDs. PLAYER X: 165 games, 32,942 yards, 61.5% completions, 7.0 yards per pass, 165 passing TDs, 141 INTs, 81.6 passer rating, 1,016 rushing yards, 3.1 yards per carry, 9 rushing TDs. Who is Player X? Troy Aikman. Other than a slightly lower completion percentage, McNabb's stats are superior to Aikman. The difference is the Superbowl victories. McNabb has put up very good numbers for a long time.— JimG
- Unfortunately for Donovan, he is playing during the era of Brady, Manning & Favre. While his numbers match up favorably with some HOF QBs of other eras (see Namath above), his numbers in comparison with these 3 guys are going to leave him well short, unless he really puts up some good numbers for the next 5 years and manages to win a Bowl or 2.— eaglegreen1961
- Lemur. If you're up for a raise, why don't you say "i don't deserve a raise. I haven't served enough mcmuffins to fill my personal quota for the month..."— palmyra21
For someone professing not to care, he certainly knows the details of who got in without winning a SB. Why is that significant? Because already knows that he does not have what it takes. WHAT A FRAUD!- He gets my vote and just you wait and see....he will bring us a superbowl!!!!— BoyWonder_89
