Don't Trust Bill: Don't opt out on McNabb
Don't Trust Bill: Don't opt out on McNabb
I am not Philadelphia, nor do I live there. For as long as I can remember, however, I have loved the great combinations your truly excellent city has perfected: steak and Cheez Whiz, Hall and Oates, and bitterness and loathing. Hats off, sincerely, on all three. Until recently, I couldn't get enough of any of them.
That's when the City of Brotherly Love taught me a lesson about limits. Not on cheesesteaks or "Sarah Smile," both of which I could consume on a loop for all eternity. No, I now believe there is a limit to the usefulness of bitterness and loathing. And the lesson came in the form of your Donovan McNabb.
CLEM MURRAY / Staff Photographer
Eagles fans should put a little love in their hearts for quarterback Donovan McNabb. Yes, he's irreplaceable.
He wasn't very good against Oakland. And he wasn't very good again against Washington. And, as has happened before, there rose a chorus among Eagles faithful that McNabb was inadequate at quarterback. There were bitter and loathing protests that he isn't the quarterback to deliver a championship to Philly.
Talk about a conundrum: Here were spite and impatience and complaint - the very essence of the sporting life - being directed at a guy who is, essentially, irreplaceable. You heard me. Irreplaceable.
McNabb's not the guy? Whom do you want? Tom Brady. Not available. Peyton Manning? Can't have him. Brett Favre? You don't mean that. Now, I know a guy who can maybe get you Jake Delhomme. I'll bet the Rams would part with Marc Bulger. And those guys couldn't carry any of McNabb's protective equipment. He is not only your best option, he's an excellent option! The Eagles are always good, sometimes great (see last week vs. NYG), and McNabb is the biggest reason.
Don't get me wrong. Continue to hate, dear denizens of the Philadelphia region. Hate me (as if I had to ask). I'd be honored. But put a little love in your heart for McNabb. You'll miss him when he doesn't play here anymore. Ask almost every other team in football.
Now that we're past the "Hey, don't be so bitter and loathing" part, let's get angry about point spreads!
Chiefs at Jags (-6 1/2)
You want Matt Cassel? How about David Garrard? Just a guess that K.C. or Jacksonville would take McNabb for either one of 'em. And the booing on South Street would start before the plane landed.
Jags 28, Chiefs 20. There are games with playoff atmosphere and games with midseason NHL atmosphere. Which would you say this is?
Ravens (-3) at Bengals
Take the team with the destructive defense over the team that was supposed to stink but hasn't figured out that it does (yet).
Ravens 19, Bengals 14. This is a beautiful chance not to bet on a football game.
Redskins at Falcons (-10)
Atlanta showed more in a loss at New Orleans than Washington has shown since Joe Gibbs was the coach the first time. Ten points sounds like a lot, until you look up at the ticker on Sunday afternoon and the margin is 21.
Falcons 31, Redskins 10. If something seems too good to be true, sometimes it's not.
Cardinals (+3) at Bears
Anquan Boldin is hurt again, and that is a big drag for Arizona. But Steve Breaston's really good, and Larry Fitzgerald is a legend. The Bears' best chance is lousy weather, and it's always balmy in Chicago in November.
Cardinals 27, Bears 24. Viva Jim Otis.
Texans (+9) at Colts
