McNabb a franchise QB?
Any time we write about Donovan McNabb here at MTC, it usually results in the comments section being flooded with insults, name-calling and personal attacks.
McNabb a franchise QB?
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Any time we write about Donovan McNabb here at MTC, it usually results in the comments section being flooded with insults, name-calling and personal attacks.
But we're going ahead with this post anyway.
Matt Bowen of the National Football Post writes about a topic that Eagles fans have argued about in this city for years: Is McNabb a franchise quarterback?
Here is Bowen's definition of the term:
In my definition, a franchise quarterback can walk into any huddle in the NFL, pick up a football and have immediate success. By saying that, these guys aren’t defined by the system they play in because you don’t have to build a system around them to make them effective. They do it because they can make any throw, run any offense and succeed with any coach and with any type of offensive personnel around them.
Bowen lists five guys he considers franchise quarterbacks: Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Carson Palmer and Philip Rivers.
So where does McNabb rank? In the next group of guys "on the fence" behind Ben Roethlisberger. Here's Bowen's justification:
McNabb is great because he plays in the west coast system in Philly. However, I don’t see him having the success — or the ability to make all the throws — in another offensive system. His accuracy is always a concern, and I question if he could thrive in a vertical attack.
Other guys in the 'On the Fence' group: Kurt Warner, Tony Romo, Eli Manning, Matt Hasselbeck and Jay Cutler.
I would argue that McNabb belongs among the franchise quarterbacks. Before I get to the reasoning, let's take a look at the other guys on Bowen's list.
There's no question that Tom Brady and P. Manning belong in a class of their own. Any team in the league would swap QBs with the Patriots or Colts and immediately improve. That's just a fact.
I'm a big Brees guy, and he certainly has an edge over McNabb when it comes to accuracy. But Brees also throws a lot more interceptions. He and McNabb belong in the same category.
I don't think Palmer has a place among the upper tier at this point in his career. He played in four games last season and threw 20 interceptions the year before. While Bowen excludes winning from his criteria, it's tough to ignore the fact that Palmer has never won a playoff game. Maybe the 2005-06 version of Palmer would be up there, but not the 2009 version.
There are a lot of things to like about Rivers. He takes care of the football. He makes plays without a great receiver (although he has good weapons at RB and TE). And he had a monster 2008 season. But if you put him on the Eagles right now, would you confidently say they'd have a better chance to win in 2009 than they do now? I'm not so sure. And that's what Bowen's definition of a franchise quarterback would indicate.
As for his evaluation of McNabb, I think we can all agree that he'll never be among the most accurate quarterbacks in the league. Bowen argues that McNabb might struggle in a vertical attack, which I disagree with. The Eagles ask McNabb to make plays down the field every week. He completed 52 passes of 20 yards or more last season. That was the third-best mark in the league. McNabb has success stretching the field, when he has the weapons. It's the short slants and screens that give him problems.
The first part of Bowen's definition says the QB should be able to walk into any NFL huddle and have immediate success. I think you could say that about McNabb, which is why the rumors of him playing elsewhere seem to emerge every offseason. If the Birds decided to cut ties with him, several other teams would be interested.
So, based on Bowen's definition listed above, what do you think? Is McNabb a franchise quarterback?
Pizza, I only remember your posts because they stand out - in a bad way.— wokmaster
He is a franchise QB and I'm proud to say he is our franchise QB.— wondo40
Ah yes wok [or is it wolf?], when confronted with facts and proof that you are wrong you resort to insults. I need not say any more your statements say enough.— tpizza- He's a franchise quarterback, just not a superbowl quarterback.— Ballgame
- Didn't see the other post wokwolf. I never said offensive weapons are the only difference between the 2 QBs. Manning is the superior QB. I only state that PM has had much better help than DM. NO ONE CAN DENY THAT! Do you honestly think PM could win with what DM has had for help? Even with the help he has had he has only one 1 SB and I do believe he carried around the label of not being able to win the "big game" for a long time. He has had his share of stinko playoff games as well. Don't you think all that help he has had on O has helped elevate PM to elite status? Also, name any QB who has had the success that DM has had with as little help and there are a lot who have had less success with more? Get back to me when you think of someone. And while you are at it go back and read the many other posts who state similar opinions as I do. The majority think DM is a pretty darn good QB. BTW, if you aren't wolf, I apologize. I certainly wouldn't want to be called that.— tpizza
- Why is it that you Chokeboy apologists act as if the Eagles should have an all-pro at every position. "He has never had weapons." That's one I hear all the time. So let's give him better offensive "weapons" and take away the studs on defense. Or give him a lousy coach. A weak offensive line. Bad special teams. He has been the beneficiary of good players, coaches AND ownership throughout his career. The apologists want it both ways. "Put McNabb on any of those Colts offenses that Manning was blessed with and I guarantee you'd have the same results." He's not as good of a QB as P Manning and there isn't a player in the world that can change that. Did it ever occur to you dopes that Manning makes his players better? Please stop with the Elway comparisons, too. He can't win a game in the 4th quarter or OT and never could. Enough already.— wokmaster
- And pizza, another thing, the lonewolf comment you made is what the guy I mentioned (who often changes his screen name) says whenever he runs out of intelligent arguements.— wokmaster
- Yes. McNabb is a franchise quarterback. As fans we are often distracted from this fact. Given the right weapons(which I think he now has) McNabb is dangerous, resourceful, and a definate threat to any NFL defense on any given week. Other teams hate to play against him. Give the guy the credit he is due and appreciate him while we have him.— JimSeitz
- Wok, you questioned my saying DM has taken a beating compared to PM. I proved my point. I agreed with you that PM is the superior QB. What more do you want. You are arguing that I AGREE with you.My question is why is it that you say DM supporters come up with excuses when you yourself just came up with a ton of them for PM? Does that make you a PM apologist? The lack of help for DM is a fact. The fact that he has had less than any QB I can think of [and apparently you too since you didn't answer my question]is a fac. Any crystal ball results you can come up with by theoretically switching QBs is pure conjecture. I also don't compare Elway to DM talentwise. The only time I or any one else brings him into the discussion is to state it took Elway, what 14 years to finally win a SB, or was it longer. That is a fact too. You and your ilk don't see fit to give DM the same opportunity. That's your opinion. As far as coach and D...you mean the D that just blew the Cardinal game and the SB too. The coach that never developed the help that the other QBs got. The coach that won't or can't run. That coach. And finally, since you are back to name calling again I won't waste any more time with you. Civilized people don't need to resort to such nonsense.— tpizza
- Carson Palmer, what has he done? McNabb is definitely a franchise QB. When McNabb finally wins one everyone's opinion about him will change. Was Elway a franchise QB before he won one? of course he was. Marino never won a Superbowl but I am 100% sure that he was a franchise QB. Come on this is a no brainer that he is a franchise QB. Look at his yards, TD-INT ratio, winning percentage. Gimme a break.— LiLTone3
- This entire argument is based on a definition that only Brees actually qualifies for. How do you know that these guys would walk into any huddle and succeed? You need a good line, playmaker(s) (more than one at a time) and play calling that makes sense to succeed as a quarterback in this league. Let me guess you think Eli is a better QB because he has a ring? right? Cause he was the only guy on the field and the defense didn't win that godforsaken superbowl? this a joke.— jhead
- The answer is yes. I am a Giants fan and I will be the first to give 5 his due. Not only do I think he is a franchise QB, I think within two years time his numbers will be better than Jim Kelly's. McNabb will one day be HOF. Imagine if he had a pro bowl reciever for more than one year? With Maclin and Jackson he could see 4k yards this year, so long as he stays healthy.— giants87
- First of all, I wasn't directing all of that comment ay you. You're not that important. Secondly, the what's "wokwolf"? It's name calling. Good idea - don't waste anymore of my time since I wholehartedly disagree with "the fact that [McNabb] has had less than any QB [you] can think of". Get lost.— wokmaster
- One more point wok, you don't think DM made the offensive "help" HE had look better? Who needs to make Marvin Harrison look better? Who REALLY has to make Todd Pinkston look better? When you start being fair about your criticisms get back to me. BTW, I was wondering what happened to Calabrese too. If he has another name now I would have to question anyones convictions who needs to resort to such nonsense. If I am wrong I'm right here.— tpizza
- Lets take Troy Brown and some of Brady's old "weapons" like that guy named D Branch. What happened to them after they left?— wokmaster
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