Donovan and DeSean "cleared it up"
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
Donovan and DeSean "cleared it up"
Jeff McLane, Inquirer Staff Writer
Donovan McNabb and DeSean Jackson apparently cleared the air over McNabb's "youth" comment and Jackson's response to that comment on his radio show Monday night.
"Whatever his comment was about, I didn't hear the question he was asked," Jackson said today. "We talked and, you know, it's nothing big. We just got to keep it in-house and stick together as a team. Don't let things like that break us up. We talked about it, cleared it up and it's alright."
FROM EARLIER
There's been a lot of talk about Donovan McNabb's post-game comments in which he supposedly blamed an entire generation for the Eagles' loss to Dallas. Let's label it Gen X (McNabb) vs. Gen Y (Jackson, Maclin, et al).
"We showed our youth," McNabb said when he was asked about, well, the Eagles' relative youth.
Some have pointed to the Eagles quarterback's comments as another example of his unwillingness to lead, or perhaps his inability to lead. I'm not so sure about that. Perhaps. If McNabb rebounds on Saturday and leads the Eagles to a victory I'm fairly sure that kind of criticism will be silenced -- at least for one more week.
McNabb clarified his comments today.
"It all starts with me," McNabb said. "I have to raise my level of play and everyone has to, as well. In playoff play there is no looking back and saying, 'I could have, should have, would have,' and you have to come in with that attitude and be able to make plays when the plays are there to be made."
McNabb, by the way, is 6-0 in the first round of the playoffs. His counterpart, Tony Romo, is 0-2. Of course, that is past history. What people care about is the now and what radio show talk hosts care about is drumming up controversy. McNabb was asked if he was blaming the kiddies.
"No, not at all," he said. "What I meant is we have a young team and a lot of things that we were doing just looked very uncharacteristic of what we did all throughout the year. I wasn't blaming it on anyone, by any means. I said that it was my fault on the [fumbled] snap, and I said that I need to elevate my game. I think at times too many people focus on just little things and they aren't focusing on the whole question or the whole answer."
DeSean Jackson was asked about McNabb's comments on his radio show Monday night and the wide receiver said that if the sound bite was played in the locker room it's "not something nobody wants to hear." Jackson said that he would talk with McNabb about the statement and about the quarterback's visible frustration during the game. McNabb said today that the two had yet to talk.
"We've communicated as a team after the game, and we're communicating all throughout this week," McNabb said. "I think the most important thing for everyone is to not put that pressure on your shoulders now because of what happened, recognize what happened in the game, and be able to know what you're seeing and let's just go out and have fun."
Brian Westbrook said that he did not interpret McNabb's comments as negative. The running back apparently stood up and addressed the team following the loss.
"I'm one of the older guys on the team and it needed to be said that we didn't play our football game this past week," Westbrook said. "We didn't do what we set out to do."
Comments (84)
THEY ALL JUST PLAYED BAD LET HOPE WE WIN ON SAT. GO EAGLES GO EAGLES— renee8143
bigphillydad, really? Check out Pmanning's playoff resume. It's putrid. Wiff, the difference is that if KK IS the QB the real Eagle fans will be behind him. The problem is that no one but you think that he is the answer to anything and I'm going to love pointing that out to you when DM is gone and KK falls flat because it'll be a long time before the Es can find another franchise QB. Of course in that event you'll have another log in or just plain be gone. But with your great record of being correct sooooo often, why worry? Idiot.— tpizza- Great article in pointing out that the radio shows are where this controvery starts and ends. How is calling out his offense, especially the young playmakers not an example of leadership? I'll never get the lack of respect shown to Donovan in this city... but hey, we'll see how Saturday ends up.— gaitherfan
- I'll be so happy when the Kolb era starts next season. I'm so tired of the prima donna act of Donovan McNabb. Kolb is a down to earth type of dude. He would just blame himself and focus on preparing for the next game. With McNabb it's endless drama and controversy.— soulman386
- Donovan is my son and you best be leaving him alone. It just ain't right.— 5sthebestEagleEver
- So now its the media's fault that McNabb blamed the youth. This writer is soft.— psu05
- what makes you think this week will be any different?— frank martino
Comment removed.- If 5 is the best Eagle ever,can their ever be a doubt with that level of mediocrity from a talent standpoint,why we have never won a Super Bowl Philadelphia?...Enuff said,I'm out...PEACE!!!— MJOLLNIR HAMMER
- McInaccurate has no right to blame the youth on the team. If he didnt over throw Jackson, or throw behind Maclin constantly they would have won. He is an idiot.— maximus
- You got that right 5isthebestEagleEver. Wait until they have a QB like the 2 bozos out here in Cali for the Raider and 49ers.— Jeff@NorCal
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- Bye bye Dmac , thanks for the memories . Let's turn the page on this one . It's all downhill form here . Don't let the door hit you on the way out . Too bad the Eagles don't play the Bucs in the playoffs this year , they would kill them .— steve999
- another mcnabb "can't get it done in the big games" and his not taking the blame for anything. i didn't say everything. if for just once in his career he would have said "i stunk" they'd have a chance. the only way the eagles can win at dallas this weekend is a change at q.b, bench westbrook, run and pass about 40/60 and blitz seven out of ten plays on defense. ain't going to happen. season is over.— JACK V
- Leave it to McChoke to blow another game. Missed snap, missed TD pass, so on. After that, the ship sank. Of course without it's captain. He jumped ship again. Just ask the youngins.— romanT
So McNabb is feeling the heat and back-tracking. Two words: no character. This is the same clown that lied in his presser about his "great" pass to Maclin in the Denver game. Ooops, he got caught on NFL films admitting to Westbrook on the sidelines that he actually overthrew Avant. Squirmy.- What a media fabricated non-story. This is why players have to be forced by the league to talk to the media.— MD20202020
- oh please..the guy can smile or show emotion. folks hear comments somewhere from haters and take it and run with it.. now mcnabb should not smile.. what nonsense!!— mongoS
- McNabb can be the best, at times. However, at times he lacks focus. He smiles at inappropriate times (it sends the wrong message to teammates and fans). He lacks a sense of urgency (this drives me nuts).It's a 60 minute game and he seems to drift off purpose and loses valuable time. He looks like he knows the camera is on him and he wants to project a certain persona.— islandmon
- BS..personal agendas against mcnabb.. no matter what he does or says its picked apart for some negative angle..— mongoS
- McNabb should make all all-defensive-team when he goes public. He makes Yoggi Bera seem logical. Let him go because he is just too inconsistent with passes at times. Save his money and pick up a defensive end to complement Trent Cole and let's welcome in the more consistent (we hope) Kevin Kolb era.— sportsdead
- McNabb should make all all-defensive-team when he goes public. He makes Yoggi Bera seem logical. Let him go because he is just too inconsistent with passes at times. Save his money and pick up a defensive end to complement Trent Cole and let's welcome in the more consistent (we hope) Kevin Kolb era.— sportsdead
- McNabb should make all all-defensive-team when he goes public. He makes Yoggi Bera seem logical. Let him go because he is just too inconsistent with passes at times. Save his money and pick up a defensive end to complement Trent Cole and let's welcome in the more consistent (we hope) Kevin Kolb era.— sportsdead
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McNabb should just shut up and play. Who cares what he thinks or says?— Morty Seinfeld- Where's the 'none of the above' option for the poll?— Joe Funk
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- nicolosi54: Uh, do you speak any English? When did McNabb "choke" in college? takingresponsibility: I don't think you watch ANY football. I've seen Favre, Marino, Peyton, Brady, etc. get on to their players and show frustration. What are you talking about? You guys just playing Madden and stop posting asinine statements about something you don't know anything about.— PhillyHouse JayDuce
- McNabb's arm waving and face making were much like Cole Hamels behavior during the playoffs last year. Being a QB in the NFL means being the ultimate leader - you gotta take the good with bad. You gotta shoulder the blame and shield your soldiers so that they will stand up for you and give you all they've got. You can't talk leadership nor can you wish for loyalty from your soldiers if you as a leader won't take responsibility. Glory given by others is genuine, self-glorification is about as shamful as it gets.— takingresponsibility
- The really great QB's rarely lay egg's like our #5 does.— bigphillydad
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- 5is's world? Really jlj thats what your gonna go with? Moron— bdawkisgod
- I'm tired of people twisting McNabb's comments into something it isn't. The guy is all class. People need to get a life.— ChrisM
- Kevin Kolb could not beat this dallas team, so stop saying he should be in people.... the people that keep saying they want him in know nothing about football.......— kramer65
- Its funny. Its always the fans and media who supposedly blow his comments out of proportion, but Desean Jackson's views clearly indicate that McNabbs words did come off as throwing the blame around. Desean is a player the last time I checked. Ohh..and last year when mcnabb clearly tossed the defense under the bus for the loss to the Cardinals in the playoffs, I believe it was Ike Reese and Jeremiah Trotter who took exception to his words. Ohh yeah..they are/were players too. Hey Les, yes, the fans do blow things out of proportion sometimes and the media does look for the negative sometimes but guess what?? Sometimes you dont have to look too hard with some people. It is a cliche that Mcnabb isnt a leader and he throws blame around, but how does a cliche become a cliche?, as the saying goes. McNabb doesnt have to fall on the sword when he doesnt play perfect, but he also doesnt have to be so quick to point out what everyone else did wrong either. Just shut up and get the job done and if you fail, say we failed, and dont say we failed and then casually mention other parts of the team that need to improve and then act shocked that your words were taken to task. Certain jobs require more leadership and more criticism, even when not warranted. Quarterback is one of them. I think thats why the quarterbacks checks usually have 1 or 2 more digits in the dollar amount then the rest of the players. Ohh...and if the team ever wins a superbowl and the quarterback just has a so-so game, nobody will remember that 10 years from now. It will always be said that the quarterback won a superbowl. Nobody ever talks about Hines ward or Rodney Harrison winning superbowls. They talk about Big Ben and Brady winning superbowls. It goes both ways Don.— sjmatt99
1st of all, I dont think anybody wants to see Kolb start this year's playoffs, 2nd of all- you're on crack if you think the birds are going 2-14 with Kolb going into the season named as the starter.— kjuggs77- I've been a lifelong Eagles fan...Wilbert Montgomery is my favorite Eagle of all time. Desean Jackson and McNabb are in the top ten but still have work to do before making it into my top 10. That being said, there is absolutely zero chance of winning this Saturday. NO, I don't believe its all McNabb's fault, although he does need to play better. Its my opinion that the DEFENSE shoulders 90 percent of the blame. It seemed like every Dallas offensive play was a success. I don't see that changing, so even if McNabb steps up his game and they score 30 points, what good does that do if the Cowboys score 40? Don't argue by saying the cowboys only scored 24 pts sunday. They took the foot off the gas and went safe vanilla in the second half with the 24 pt lead. The Eagles played hard the whole game but still couldn't even muster a field goal. The Eagles lose this game 31-13.— sedale
- jackson: "not something nobody wants to hear." I hope that was a misprint and he really isn;t that illiterate.— beezer77
- G: there were 6 drops that game. But I think anyone who knows football (or competitive athletics) would understand that you can't blame one guy for a win. Additionally, you can't blame one guy for a loss. Even the QB can't fail/succeed unless he has a supporting cast. McNabb had bad moments in that game. But the coaching staff, the WR, RB, the o-line, the def, even John Hatfield's equipment staff performed poorly. So to blame McNabb's "leadership" is foolish.— PhillyHouse JayDuce
- The O line is a joke thanks to Reids mis que on the Andrews Bros.. We have no depth at the O line position.— mnubby
- JLJ talking about Football is just like Sarah Palin talking about Football.— 5isthebestEagleEver
- You guys might want to check the drops from last game, McNabb wasn't perfect, and you guys can hate him all you want, but I counted a lot of drops.— G
- JLJ is an Fn Moron if he thinks Klob will be like Aikman, You Eagles fans are the DUMBEST MOFO's in the NFL..... Seriously. I am an Eagles fan and I know complete Morons when I see them......— 5isthebestEagleEver
- Fact Scooter is a failure in life and loser in life......— 5isthebestEagleEver
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- kl866: I can't remember McNabb missing a wide open Maclin and I am sure I watched the game. Did you see that nice 32 yrd pass he made to Djack in stride on that slant route in the first quarter?? Did you see how DJack did not finish a route correctly and almost caused an interception?? Did you see DJack (after he got hurt) not finishing his routes? Did you see Celek, DJack, Avant and Maclin dropped some passes?? I am not blaming the youths on the team, but you live and die with them and that is all McNabb was saying. I think 20 something completions out of 30 something passes against the number 2 defense is pretty darn good QBing... Go EAGLES!!!— Bigbadrookie
- sima down playoffs or not the maclin im scared to catch the rock play was weak period meow— first down
- all you Kolb fans please back away from the ashtray— phillynupe4
5 is the best eagle ever? Nah- Mcnoodle and his horrible throws. Time for a new quartback— eaglesman1
- controversy aside, mcnabb still is inaccurate. do all the fans a favor and start the kevin kolb era next year, after mcnabb chokes yet again in another playoff game.— Fire Andy Reid
- Elektrika....couldn't agree more...why the hell we didn't go right after Romo I'll never know.....that's the blueprint for beating him....pressure from the word "go" and then bring more toward the end....we better bring the "jailhouse" blitz many times on Sat. or we need a new DC. And Asante....play coverage, fool...stop jumping EVERY damn route!! You're going to cost us the game one day!— philly449
- More youth please! Send McNabb and Westbrook to the NFL Network. They can be like Tiki Barber and cheer for their team in the Super Bowl the year they quit!— jtj06
- To all the mentally challenged idiots that kill #5. Clueless! If Kolb was better than McNabb he would be starting. This organization, like you pathetic fans, would have cast him away a long time ago. Just ask Brian Dawkins. The problem is that the defense has no heart.— antoine
- Lets hope Westbrook steps up the leadership in the playoffs. The Eagles could use some success on the ground and some confidence in the huddle.— SB_Express
- I bet if Don asked to be traded the FO would make sure it happened. If I were him I would want out. Not because the team is bad or anything, just because of how he is treated by the "fans" and the media. It' be good to see him play somewhere were he would finally have some piece of mind. I say ship Don to the Raiders. The fans there show up for every game and they've stunk for years....I'm not a big fan of Don but he deserves better treatment. He's done a lot for our team.— sima_down_nah
- JLJ: Don't make moronic comparison. Aikman won while Smith was the RB; as soon as Smith was done as most RB's done after few year due to physical contact, Aikman was done too. Aikman did not seat on the bench until the age of 27. Kolb is 3rd string QB, get used to that fact. Kolb could not beat out AJ for 3 years.— Seed
- kl866, 24-14 doesnt win the game— johnnews
- Humanist you are a genius. With a possible first round bye and the NFC East on the line, you seriously think 'people' would have wanted to see Kevin Kolb start? After winning SIX STRAIGHT?! Yeah, these 'people' you speak of are his friends and family and a couple of idiots from Northeast Philly who hate McNabb. Anyone remember when the Giants won the Super Bowl a few years ago and who beat them twice in the regular season to go and blow it in the first round against the Ginas?! Anyone? Anyone? And how the Giants were NOT necessarily on top of their game offensively and had a couple of young defensive players step up? Well, the Eagles are on top of their offensive playing or at least were for 6 straight weeks and can easily get that back. And their defense needs some of these younger players to get that sh*t out of their system and play some football, if McDermott allows them. I've said it once yesterday and I'll say it again: the three bad losses this season came with ZERO blitzing in the first halves. They get to that punk early this Saturday night and we are seeing a much different ball game. GO BIRDS!!!!— dr.elektrika
- Mike Vick thinks dogs are cool now .— Anthony77
- McNabb has already been through enough drama from the fans and media to fill 20 years of active duty. Why are people trying to create a wedge between our 2 best offensive players? People, get a clue!!!— jdr527
- I'm surprised that McNabb shifted the blame. McNabb was a key part of the problem - just like virtually everybody on the team and coaching staff.— 4thand10
- another talk radio-driven controversy. on talk radio the QB and Coach have to either be idiots/geniuses or heroes/goats every week or there would be nothing to discuss, since apparently talking X's and O's doesn't get good ratings.— J E
- This column, and Les' column (and anyone who listened to McNabb's original post-game comments) should be enough to get silence, and even get apologies, from everyone jumping all over McNabb's comments. Give him credit for clarifying, which shouldn't even have been necessary, but for the kneejerk, slanted, lazy, dishonest sh_t that serves for journalism around here - print and electronic. Now, let's focus on football. And yes, "5" and everybody (even the praised Celek, who dropped a gimme on 3rd and 2 before the ill-advised 53-yard attempt)need to play a whole lot better. We are underdogs, though, and given Dallas' advantage on both lines, overall D and running game, it will be a tall order to upset them.— MG44
- Did you just say THE LAST PLAY? I'm fine with it... Playoffs are the following week, c'mon man!— sima_down_nah
- Maybe what Don was trying to say was the "we showed our youth in how many passes I missed. These are guys are just too fast. I throw behind them all of the time. Then some other times I misjudge their speed and throw it too far. If they were older guys, I'd be a whole heck of a lot more accurate. Look how many passes my TE has this year, he runs at the perfect speed". Maybe? No? Ok, I tried...— sima_down_nah
- whats up with maclin pullin a ricky watters on the last play come on show some heart!— first down
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- Was youth the reason McNabb missed a wide open Jackson and wide open Maclin in the first half that cost them the game?— kl866
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- Right on 88etrain!! The old, the young, and the restless (coaches) did a horrid job. This was not an issue until the radio guy on DJack's show made it an issue. But hey, that's what they get paid to do, start trouble!! Can't wait until they win on Saturday so we can stop all of this foolishness. Wasn't DeSean young last year too? Just sayin...— sima_down_nah
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- I hate Winning and making the playoffs every year... I cant wait for the Klob and the 2-14 Decade to begin.— 5isthebestEagleEver
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- McNabb is not and will never be a "touch" passer and this season will be history this weekend. I think a majority of fans would like to have seen Kevin K. given a chance to grow and start this game.— humanist
- I FINALLY was given the gist of the QUESTION yesterday. If the balloon heads in the media had listened to it also....there would BE no freakin' "controversy" at all.....it was a decent answer to the direct question about the younger players ONLY!!!— TBear
- Donovan doesnt need to clarify anything, he said nothing wrong, if you pansy arses cant handle it go watch the LFL...... Morons Eagles fans are.— 5isthebestEagleEver
- You need to be a leader to discuss leadership.— arkhambt
- Did you read the article? I believe it is clearing up the controversy, not starting it.— barefoot
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- Everybody stunk on Sunday no matter what their age.— 88etrain
- this is a ridiculous article. just tryin to start controversy— GetMeToThePlateBoys
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