McNabb: This is storybook for us
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McNabb: This is storybook for us
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
As always, here are Donovan McNabb's thoughts from his post-game press conference. In the interest of getting this up ASAP, these are not exact quotes.Where does this NFC championship appearance rank?
McNabb says the three NFC championships in a row are below the one where they went to the Super Bowl. It's hard to say where this one ranks. The team has shown it's strong mentally and physically of being able to get the job done when their backs are against the wall, and being able to trust each other that everyone will do their job. Defensively, they did an excellent job. Jim Johnson had great blitzes and a great scheme to apply pressure to Eli [Manning] and stop them from running. That made the offense's job easier. Next week, they have a team that doesn't have a problem scoring points so they'll need to dig deep and score touchdowns.
How did he have trust in Kevin Curtis after his big drop?
McNabb says in the early part of the year he tried to show them he had trust in them by trying to throw them the ball even when coverage was tight and going back to them even when they dropped balls. You don't want anyone to lose their confidence in a game where you need them. Kevin plays a major part in the offense. So does DeSean and the rest of the receiving corps. Curtis was able to pick up big first downs in a lot of situations. He came back and said he was sorry and McNabb told him to let it go and let's move on. And he stepped up and showed the type of player he is. You have to have a short-term memory.
How was he able to buy time during the two-minute drill at the end of the first half?
McNabb says he knew it's something he'd have to do, use his legs a little bit. The line did an excellent job of allowing him to step up in the pocket where he was able to buy time and hit Jason [Avant] and the other time, hitting Buck. Buck did a good job of peeling away from the linebacker because he was covered in the flat, able to pick up big yardage. They should have scored a touchdown but ended up with a field goal. Guys in the locker room have showed they can make plays.
Was the Buckhalter play similar to the one against the Cowboys?
McNabb says it's just a feel. It's the experience factor of playing with each other. Other guys have the same feeling knowing if they see him scrambling to find an open area.
What role does the win earlier this season against the Cardinals have?
McNabb says they have a feel of what the Cardinals like to do on the defensive side. They like to blitz and will probably blitz more than they did last time. Watching them in the playoffs, they have continued to gel. Everyone said they couldn't win on the east coast but they won by a lot. They didn't have Anquan Boldin. Larry Fitzgerald stepped up. They get pressure from Bertrand Berry and Adrian Wilson, and the rest of those guys who are playing at a high level.
What does this mean for the team's veterans?
McNabb says they get another week of work. It's an exciting time for him. Ten years for McNabb, 13 for Dawk, 13 for Runyan, 11 for Tra. This is something which is storybook. They've been to now five NFC championships in 10 years for McNabb. That just kind of shows the trust and the coaching they have in Andy. Everyone believes in one another. Given the opportunity, they can take advantage of it. You see Dawk playing at a high level, Tra doing a good job, Runyan doing a good job, Akers has been here nine years or so. In order for them to get where they want to go, they have to play at a high level.
What did he say on the phone?
McNabb knew Les Bowen was going to ask him that. He didn't say anything. He's been having a great time in this run. It was something as a veteran he shouldn't have done. He got caught up in the moment. They were talking on the sidline and just having fun. But you know what, it just is something he can't do and he apologizes to the team and the coaches and it's over.
Is he back to being the QB he used to be?
McNabb says he's not playing any differently. Offensively they've been doing a little more, establishing the run, getting the ball in the hands of the other guys. Their defense is playing better. There are ways of looking at it and saying that McNabb is playing different but he's not playing that much different. As a team, everybody has elevated their game to play better which has led to them being successful in these last seven or eight games.
McNabb has said the team is having fun. When did he think people started having fun again?
McNabb says people won't believe him but it was after the Baltimore game. They all talked as a team, after the Cincinnati game, guys were pressing too much and that includes himself. Obviously with the birth of the twins there was a lot on his mind and things of that nature. It may have affected the way he thought or played but he felt like as a team they needed to get back to flying around making plays, congratulating each other, giving guys opportunities to make plays and score touchdowns and you saw that in the Arizona game. They continued to feed off of that. No matter what play was called, it would be a big play for them. They're a much better team when they're loose. That was something they had to get back to.
What does he remember from playing in the NFC championship?
McNabb says he remembers at the end of the game, the kneel down against Atlanta. Hopefully they get one of those next week. Those are the things you remember. It's not the touchdowns, interceptions, exciting plays you make. It's at the end of the game, taking a knee and knowing you won it.
How has the protection been?
McNabb says the line, the running backs, the tight ends have been doing a great job in protection which gives him an opportunity as a quarterback to sit back and get it to the guys. He tries to get the ball out early so he's not holding it by any means and give them an opportunity to make plays. There were a couple mishaps, the interception where he got pressured and the tipped ball, but he was just going through his reads and being able to react.
Comment removed.
5 NFC Championships in 8 years, with a probable 2nd SB appearance...this guy is sealing his HOF credentials as we speak... Best of luck #5! Fly, Eagles, Fly...— kjuggs77
"McNabb has no heart man. This team is never 'gonna win as long as he is the quarterback." Where are all of the McNabb haters? It's always the losers who have never accomplished anything significant in their lives that are so critical of the success that McNabb and Andy have had in Philly. Only a Superbowl victory is enough for them to forget how big of a loser they are. Five NFC championship games in 10 years equals alot of great wins and excitement. We all want a Superbowl victory, and they are capable of delivering one based on their performance over the years. This might be the year. Where 'da' haters at? Go Igles.— tsadeek712- Once again, Donovan shows he's one of the greatest quarterbacks of our time. Wonder which Pro-Bowl wide receiver will present him at Canton. I've got it . . . Marvin Harrison, his teammate at Syracuse— chucker
- Comment removed.
- I'm very happy for all of them, regardless of what occurs in the future. They have demonstrated that with your best effort and determination that anything can happen. Maybe now the writers will focus on reporting about football instead of acting like they lost a bet on a game. GREAT JOB GUYS!— aden
- Hey lonewolf, Tell me how Don's a** tastes!!!— sfeagle
- Loserwolf, where are you now? Your superbowl mvp, hall of flamer showed us all how good he isn't. Don totally out played him today. You must be full from eating your words. Why does it look like he is always about to cry? You and the G-men are losers. How does it feel to be the worst EAGLES fan ever?— sfeagle
- Simple: there has to be a reason for players to rise to the level needed to compete. No matter what people say about their talent, a climb to playoff caliber football has been acomplished. Do it two more times fellas.— starman
- to all the eagles haters..In Your F***ing Face!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— tommyd60
- Good news!! We live in California and went to Game 5 of the NLCS. Now we are driving over to Phoenix next weekend!— TripleOption
- McNabb says Ncnabb likes him kicking some NY a**. McNabb is not sure where the whole phone thing was going. McNabb just being that kookie McNabb...OK?— al personal foul
- Don't listen to the haters Donovan.....we love you man!— cujat13
- I thought he was trying to pull a Shannon Sharpe. "Someone call the National Guard. We are killing the Giants!"— D3Keith
- I think Dawk is influencing #5. Keep them both until they retire!— s
- Hey, McNabb, was that Arizona you were calling to tell them to start shaking in your shoes, because the Eagles are coming your way! GO EAGLES GO!!!!!!!!— mick
- Where's Voytas? How about Lonewolf? McNabb CLEARLY outplayed Eli yesterday. In fact, without Burress (even if Manning won't admit it) the Jersey Giants were treated to a return of the "old" Eli. You know the one. He gives more scoring opportunities to his opponents then his own offense!!— Phrossty
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