McNabb: We showed our youth
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McNabb: We showed our youth
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Going in to today's game against the Cowboys, the focus offensively was on the interior of the Eagles' line.
But after 60 minutes of scoreless football, it's clear the Birds have several other concerns to address before they make another trip to Dallas next weekend.
As is always the case, we start with the quarterback.
Donovan McNabb did not play well, completing 20 of 36 passes for 223 yards. He failed to throw a touchdown for just the second time this season - the other being the loss to the Raiders.
More specifically, McNabb had a couple plays that were big in terms of momentum.
One was a fumble in the second quarter when the Eagles' offense was in the red zone with the team trailing, 14-0. Set up in the shotgun, he could not handle the snap from Nick Cole, and the Cowboys recovered. During his press conference, McNabb took "full blame" for the snafu.
I need to take a look at the replay to see exactly what happened, but the play was huge as it killed one of the few chances the Birds had to get points on the board.
The other was the deep ball to DeSean Jackson. McNabb had him open in the second quarter, but overthrew Jackson as the Eagles failed to capitalize on one of their only opportunities for a big play.
To be fair, McNabb didn't get much help from his supporting cast either. While the offensive line played better than expected, specifically in the first half, the receivers dropped several passes throughout.
After the game, McNabb said the group's lack of experience in these types of games was probably a factor.
"We showed our youth in situations where everyone began to look around to see who was going to make the play instead of stepping up and making that play," McNabb said. "And that's something that comes with the territory when you have a young group. And I think at this time, after discussing it with the guys, everybody understands that. All throughout the year we've had guys step up and make big plays for us when their name's called. Today it just didn't happen. And when you lose the way we did today in this fashion, obviously it is a humbling experience and we have to bounce back strong."
Jackson was limited to three catches for 47 yards. In two games against the Cowboys this season, he has five receptions for 76 yards.
McNabb, meanwhile, in two games against Dallas, has completed 36 of 66 passes (54.5 percent) with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Earlier we posted on the game and also laid out the NFC playoff picture.
"We showed our youth" what McNabb should say, is I should once again, I come up short in big games. This guy has killed more earthworms with those rockets in the ground, and is about the only guy who could overthrow Fidel Castro.— mikey48- According to Forbes Magazine,Norman Braman is at least 500 MILLION lighter in the pockets with a little help from his boy Bernie Madoff with your money for good,YYYYYEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!,right where it hurts, in the pocketbook!!!— MJOLLNIR HAMMER
The rudderless defense is a Dawk thing. Thanks Banner for overplaying your poker hand and then having too big an ego to pick up the phone........— Earl J- Yeah. He needs to accept responsibility for not being accurate yet again.— GKC
- It wouldn't surprise me to see new defensive and special teams coordinators next year. Can't do anything about the head coach.— calfan
- If missing wide open receivers, missing a defensive game plan, dropping balls, kicking & missing 53 yard FGs, and numerous dumb plays is showing your youth then he is absolutely right!!! How do we grow up before another embarrassing showing next week?! Not just 5, everyone gets a piece of this blame!!— Iowaeagle
There you go Donovan...Put the blame on the youth all the while calling yourself a leader....You are Pathetic! Maybe you should QB the Chiefs next year?— citysims- What no DM supporters yet? What a sad press conference from your "veteran" QB and "leader." But I'm sure they will get on the blog and point fingers in every direction except DM. It won't matter how many more games DM plays in a similar manner to this one-they will always find another excuse. Down 7-0, good protection and DM overthrows a wide open Jackson. If DM hits him, it's 7-7 and the game changes-maybe the defense plays better. Down 14-0 and driving, DM fumbles the snap (yes it was his fault). If they score, it's 14-7 and the game changes-maybe the line blocks better..... DM a big game player? I think not. "We showed our youth." Who was he talking about? HE is an OLD man. HE screwed up. HE should man up-but NO, it's the YOUTH's FAULT. As soon as I have time, I'm gonna go back and review all of the pass plays to see how many of the completions were to receivers with defenders right there, waiting for the tackle. And how many incompletions were to open receivers (ie. his fault). And the DM fans will call me a "a hater" and will ask "who else would you use." And in that way deflect the fact that DM chokes in big games. So now instead of sitting at home and waiting for Dallas, Minnesota, Arizona and Green Bay to beat each other up for a week, heal some wounds, and then play at home, the Eagles will likley have to go through Dallas, Minnesota and New Orleans to get to the SB.....With DM at QB, that will happen when pigs fly....But of course it will be somebody else's fault, not DM's.....No, it's never on him.......Sad DM fans can't admit the truth.— bleeding green
- Yeah, couldn't be Low Throw McBlow's fault.— Voytas
- McDabb, You showed your youth that the beagles are puke. Those poor kids. Next week-Cowboys 24 iggles 17. Write it down!— tommy531
- Show us some youth. Play Kolb. The result has to be better than this. Oh sorry, I forgot. Andy would never do that. It might hurt Donovan's feelings.— Lockyer
Not cool to point out "Youth" This was a team wide meltdown from the rookies to the 11 year veteran QB with no rings. This defense has looked vulnerable from Day 1.— argonne
Comment removed.- Donovan did not have a good game today, obviously. Would someone please point out the eagle that did? The are some considerable differences between the eagles and a lot of other teams. Other teams QB's throw the game away, Donovan does not. He may not win the game, but he's unlikely to lose it either. Not 4 picks, 2 for touchdowns from Don ala Cutler, Eli etc. Please show me the eagle player that steps up and bails the QB out when he's struggling? Celek tried to be that guy, but he was obviously ailing in the second half. Eagles needed someone to step up and make a play at a key spot on offense today. If it's not Don, it just isn't happening. And feel free to forget all about the at least 5 significant drive killing drops that these NFL players had hit them in the hands and didn't catch.— birdfannnj
- He just doesn't get it...and he won't ever get it. He says we showed our youth? He's the one that needs to step up and make plays..especially in a game like that! What a creep! His leadership skills absolutely suckdidlyuck.— stjaunn
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