McNabb: 'A new chapter in the book of Donovan'
Donovan McNabb took the stage in Washington as the new quarterback of the Redskins at a crowded news conference at Redskins Park.
McNabb: 'A new chapter in the book of Donovan'
Daily News staff
Donovan McNabb took the stage in Washington as the new quarterback of the Redskins at a crowded news conference at Redskins Park.
"This is a different stage from the norm and what I'm used to," he said. "There are days in life you go through change, you find a light at the end of the tunnel here with a great organization that wants to win and wants to win now. I'm surrounded by a great group of players that are willing to put in the effort to win a Super Bowl ... For 11 years playing under a future Hall of Fame coach and now playing under another Hall of Fame coach and the things he has accomplished with great quarterbacks like John Elway .. I hope I can continue that."
McNabb expressed relief that a decision was made and his future was decided. "I'm so happy this is over."
"I’m just happy that it’s all over from where it all started at the end of the season to where we are now," he said. "There was never any burden on my shoulders [in Philadelphia]. I was part of a lot of different things in my 11 years to be surrounded by a lot of great athletes, but it’s over. I’m here and starting a new chapter in the book of Donovan. I look for great things to happen."
On facing the Eagles, he said, "I don't look at it like it will be any different than Dallas or the Giants ... Another opportunity to face a quality opponent and bring home a victory." He also said putting the Redskins jersey on for the first time will be no different.
A number of McNabb's new teammates attended the news conference. As for helping the Redskins improve, he said, "One person cannot achieve this. You achieve that by team ... I will promise to give [my teammates] all that I have. Everything I've been a part of we've won. We may not have won the Super Bowl, but we've won."
Asked why the Eagles traded him, he said, "You need to ask them that. I have no answer ...You have seen the offseason. They're rebuilding and they're going younger. I never knew 33 was old, but I guess I'm too old and they are going young."
He said he learned from the Brian Dawkins situation last year, calling him the "ultimate Eagle."
"I'm here in Washington and I'm excited to be here," McNabb said. "We knew the [Eagles] were listening to offers fom the beginning." He also then chided the media for its reporting and sources. "Good thing I have cable TV," he quipped.
As for the possibility of a contract extension, McNabb said, “That’s not my focus … I’ve landed here in Washington and I’m very excited about that. As far as anything else that might take care of itself or it might not.”
McNabb's agent, Fletcher Smith, said there have been no contact talks whatsoever between the sides but he expects both sides will want something to get done.
On making the adjustment between the Redskins’ offense and the Eagles’ offenses, “The offenses are somewhat similar but very different. In talking to coach Shanahan, he’s been through a lot of offenses. I have been in two. There will be a change. I'm looking forward to going in and studying to make sure it will be second nature to me and going out and make plays.”
“A lot of you in Philly probably don’t know much about the run game, but we will run the ball here.” He then talked about the Redskins’ three running backs, and the tight ends and receivers. He called himself “the guy that orchestrates everything, making sure they are confident and ready to go out and make plays for you.”
As to whether he was treated fairly in Philly, "I felt I was treated fairly,” he said. “Never had you heard me complain about the fans and media. That is not a concern of mine. I blocked that out.” He said there are too many distractions for players to worry about what is being said about them."
On the issue of excitement going to a new place, "It feels like being drafted again. It feels like I’m 22 again. The body might not respond that way again ... One thing we need to focus in on: We talk so much on me, me, me … It takes all of us to achieve that common goal. We shouldn’t focus so much on myself. We should focus on the team."
On finishing his career in Philly, "I'm a Redskin now ... I would have loved to, but it didn't happen."
Asked if he had a final message for the fans, McNabb said, "For 11 years, I want to thank him for giving me an opportunty to display my talent and be put in a position to get drafted when they were 3-13, going 5-11 and then averaging 9-10 wins a season … For 11 years, to make five NFC championships and a Super Bowl appearance. Yes, we didn’t win it, but it was a great ride. It was a ride in which every time we stepped out on the field, the fans were confident that we could win that game. I look to bring that here to Washington."
Here is a snippet from coach Mike Shanahan: "I didn’t think there was really going to be an opportunity to get Donovan. It all came fairly quickly. At the end of the day, I was a little bit surprised, and not shocked but very excited ... When I went to Denver, John Elway was entering his 13th year. When I was in San Francisco, Steve Young was in his 11th year. When you do have a quarterback that has won, a quarterback who knows how to lead, who can set the standard, it doesn't happen to have the opportunity to get players like that with the situation we are ... I feel very fortunate to have not only a quarterback but a person like Donovan."
Among the other attendees at the news conference was legendary Redskins linebacker Sam Huff, who also does radio commentary.
He wasted no time getting acclimated and was reportedly already in the weight room with his new teammates this morning before 9.
As we mentioned in our earlier post, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford is also at Redskins Park on a visit scheduled long before the trade. The Redskins' needs have changed, obviously, but it is an odd coincidence.
Comments (188)
godspeed mcnabb— Zero
Comment removed.- Good luck, Washington with this head case now leading your team. Don't say Philly didn't warn you. McNabb AIN'T John Elway. GOOD LUCK!— jibberjabber
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- I can't wait until McNabb puts up 450 yards on Andy. That will be one of the two games I'll be able to stomach next season.— reidbetweenthelines
- Mcnabb thanking the eagles fans is about as sincere as a real Eagles fan thanking Kolb for stealing a paycheck from the Eagles over 4 or 5 years. I'll always miss Mcnabb's sense of humor which is something I'm sure you cynical wannabe eagles fans disagree with— Phillyaddicted
- Kevin Kolb AIN'T Aaron Rodgers.— jlamb
- I've said it before and I'll say it again - man, is that ever a racist name for a sports team.— amc312
- Classy jibber, tell me, were you a fan of the Eagles when they were losing each season prior to 1999? Just curious...my guess is no.— EaglesBleedMoney
- Andy Reid is not a future HoFer.— booman55
- So Donovan's gone. The most productive QB in the history of the Eagles. A career winning % of 70. Record against NFC east teams? 33-23. 5 division championships in 11 years. And one SB appearance. And now, the McNabb haters are about to get their rose-colored glasses rudely yanked off. Didn't win the "big one" with Donovan? Get used to it. Your chances of that now, are light-years away. The winning percentage over the next 11 years might just be 45% or less, with no playoff chances to even GET to the "big one". As Colin Cowherd said today on ESPN radio, Philly fans must really have pathetic lives, if this is what they do, and how they react, to a class-act, who is a winner. There are a whole lot of people who say "amen" to that. Donovan IS a class act, who has consistently taken the high road. So sad that Philadelphia has so many low road fans.— JosephL
Happy Happy Joy Joy......Kolb = Super Bowl— jiggs111
Dawk, "The Ultimate Eagle". D Mac, you and Dawk have more class in your pinkies than Banner and Lurie combined......— Earl J- Comment removed.
- Whaaaaaaaa.....mommy they boooooooooed me.......whaaaaaaaaaaaaa— jiggs111
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- at least the birds-skins games will be interesting for a change...— rofratu
- #5 is clearly still in shock and upset over the trade. So am I, but yes, I agree with you phillyPete, it's history...time to move on. All things come to an end at some point.— rochaa3
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- I was a McNabb supporter my whole life. I also saw a quarterback/man, who was throwing the big play at the ground. He is 34 years old. He will be a quarterback for only a few more years. We got a darn good deal here for McNabb. I do think it was a really bad move to move him to the Redskins. The Raiders wouldn't give up their 2nd round pick or Buffalo? I guess the selling point was the 3rd rounder/ 4th rounder next year. But I do believe it was time to move on. I am just worried about him being in the same division. This WILL come back to bite us if Kolb does not have an excellent camp. I hope, for the Eagles sake they get a heck of a player on defense and a leader most of all. we need to move up to get Earl Thomas. He will be our leader on defense or stay where we are and draft Sean Weatherspoon, who we know is a very vocal leader on defense with natural ability (which is what I believe we should do). But the 2nd round pick that we got for McNabb had better be a playmaker. This pick will be compared for years to the pick that was received for losing McNabb. Nate Allen would be nice or another WR for Kolb to throw to like Mitchell from USF. We could use that #1 wide receiver. The big physical receiver that will go up in traffic to get the ball. One with the speed to race down the side line for the deep ball. Maybe Dez Bryant will slip to the early 2nd round which i don't think will happen, but you never know, crazier things have happened like Maclin fell into the Eagles lap..— crohnkiller
- If he wins a superbowl im done forever....— dadifference
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- they did my baby wrong,he's so bitter now,they did my baby wrong,don't be bitter baby.BM5.— bigmama5
- How 'bout dem RRRRRRRReeeeeeeeeedddddddddddddddddskins !— Gino D.
- ...and with a strum of his air guitar, the news conference ended.— TVGuy22
- Go Phillies!!— mummer43
- KOlb BLows— allegju
- Did anybody give "fatboy" Reid a kick in the a**. Him and Jeff are 2 idiots. Both know nothing about football. I hope they get rid of Reid after this year.— Tom5576
- Class act - good luck **5**— hmitch
- You know he's gonna win a Bowl with the 'Skins. It's karma, baby, karma. Reid can't touch Shannahan. Read my lips, clock management, play calling, etc. etc. Don' matter who you put behind Center. Big Red calls the shots. His act has been well played. It's time for a curtain call. All y'all Igles fans are in for a rude awakening with Kolb as the the QB. Bring on da dogs.— Gino D.
- This thread wins hands down for worst comments Ive ever read— peteike
- Those who talk trash about D-Mac obviously don't remember the days of Bubby Brister, Rodney Peete, Bobby Hoying & Doug Pedersen. Careful what you wish for...— PhilliesFool
- Philly sports what a joke! You guys booed the best quarterback you ever had on draft day 1999 because you wanted Ricky Williams, Wow! what a Hall of Fame career he's having. Almost any eagles player that has left and went on to have a better career than when that wore a eagles uniform. Now you have no QB or running back no Offensive line and a poor defense... I see five years of loosing seasons ahead.... I got an idea bring back Jeff Garcia lol!!!!— austin1972
- Classy guy, cannot disagree with that. Kolb showed the same kind of class when he got the position. Owing his ascention to learning from Mcnabb. It's over and done with, and enough about Dawkins, an older player who had to get moved, he was like alinebacker playing safety. He could not cover anymore. You don;t just keep a plyer for what he has done in the past, what can he do in the future, that is the key. It is a business, and Teams treat it that way. I give Reid credit for not shipping him to the Raiders though. That in itself showed alot of class.— kramer65
- well said Joseph. the fans here are an embarrassment. Cataldi and his 610 rejects are organizing a boo parade the first game McNabb comes back. the guy was the best QB in team history and praised nationally for his work in the community, and we're organizing a boo march for the guy.— DreamShake
- well said Joseph. the fans here are an embarrassment. Cataldi and his 610 rejects are organizing a boo parade the first game McNabb comes back. the guy was the best QB in team history and praised nationally for his work in the community, and we're organizing a boo march for the guy.— DreamShake
- McNabb was never going to win a Super Bowl in Philly, and it was time to go. Unfortunately, we still have one of the worst game day coaches ever and it's hard to imagine hoisting the trophy under this regime.
- Hey Washington, got any room for Reid?— Tom5576
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- Mc Nabb has alot more class than Eagle fans especially the ignoramus on 610 in the mornings! Now, he's out to embarass our city a second time; why doesn't he just go back to Rhode Island! Good luck Donovan!— JBinPA
- more class Earl? Man, there are sometimes that saying i'm from this city is embarassing and this is one of them. People like Earl that spend their time responding to these articles and bringing emotion into the argument really need to wake up. Do you guys realize how much money these MEN are being paid to play a game? In the end this is a business and somehow all the saps in philly seem to forget it. If Banner and Lurie kept every "fan favorite" the team would be bankrupt and we'd be a sub .500 team annually. This is just the way the sports industry works. what did you think we were going to re-up McNabb @ $20mm/ year for another 3-4 yrs?— cheesesteak17
- I THOUGHT lonewolf was delusional, but now that he wants to 'freshen up' the baseball team, now I am convinced of it. GO AWAY MORON!!— seaonasdad
- Who cares what Cowterd thinks.....He doesn't live with wormburners and one bouncers each sunday. Class act???he is always blaming someone else.....like when he got pulled inthe Baltimore game...stood on the sideline yawning.....his borish behavior is now someone else's worry...good riddence McSkin— SkipinWV
- wont miss him. i hate him now bc he is a redskin... Wont miss his annoying laugh after a INT. Kolb may not be better yet or ever but at least he will fight, lead and not laugh.— fman727
- Kramer65; don't give the Eagles the benefit of having ANY class, they have none. Use your head; they HAD to send 5 to a team he was willing to go to! That is why he's not in Oakland, not because the Eagles have class. Face it, you ship him somewhere he doesn't want to go and won't sign an extension, you get a 5th round pick! They were FORCED to trade him somewhere agreeable to 5; it gets them more in return! The Eagles have NO CLASS! Never will either!— JBinPA
- hey austin...please name a eagles player that was released or not re-signed and went on to a great career elsewhere? besides Dawkins, who even though he made the pro-bowl last season he was hurt for like 6-7 games...classic. I guess you must be talking about Tra Thomas or maybe Bobby Taylor? How bout Troy Vincent or Duce Staley? You surely can't mean Chad Lewis or Javon Kearse could you? Or maybe AJ Feely or Lito Sheppard or even Michael Lewis? PLEASE enlighten us with all these Eagles players who have turned out to be great players after they left.— cheesesteak17
- What was disappointing was Donavan's comment: "There was never any burden on my shoulders [in Philadelphia]." While this is a team game, the QB does have the burden of leading that team -- leading them all the way . . . that's part of that role, and one of the reasons they earn the big bucks! Obviously he didn't understand that.— charlie1978
- Skins will go deeper into the playoffs than the Eagles ...— Gringo4
- good luck Donavan I'm a 5 fan and after you retire and dont wear the opposing uni anymore I will Don your Jersey again. Until that time...Your the Enemy...Ha!— Phillyphan26
- Thank you Donovan for 11 great years. I am sorry you couldn't finish your career here. Good luck to you in DC.— wondo40
- its funny to me how all the "fans" on here rip mcnabb apart and have no idea what they are talking about.. this is a team sport.. saying mcnabb cannot win the big game is a joke... the philadelphia eagles cannot win a big game!!! everyone talks about how big of a loss JJ was, and believe me i know how big it was, but with that said we need to blame the defense in some of those nfc championships, 24,28, amd 36 points given up... thats not getting it done.. i also find it funny that the "fans" are so stupid to think that they are right and the rest of the country is wrong... i have not heard one media outlet (outside of philly) say this was a good trade, i have not heard one coach say this was a good trade, not one owner, i heard coughlin and phillips say they are not happy he is still in the division.. the bottomline is mcnabb is walking into a decent team in washington.. they hace 3 1000 yard rushers in their backfield (dont tell me they are old 29,29,31) anyone of them if not all three can be very productive next year, they are set to draft a tackle with the 4th pick (so he could be a difference maker. and PFT is reporting they are talking about getting brandon marshall, on top of the fact that they have an above average defense, (7 in the league last year)... i have been saying all along becareful what you wish for.... this could get very bad...just imagine how scary mcnabb will be with a balanced run attack, one of the best play callers in the history of the game, and posible two dynamic WR (marshall, moss) could get ugly..— bleed green forever
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I loved 5 but I can't wait to see 58 flatten him. Go 4.— Richard Saunders- Best of luck 5...you were always more classy than many of the fans/knuckleheads.— JBP
- A large number of Eagles fans have never had enough class to deserve a man with as much going for him as Donovan McNabb. He's already in a better place, now I can't wait to watch him beat Philly several times per year.The statement above by Jiggs111 is just the type of 'tardation I'm talking about.....what losers you are.....— 4hizzoner
- He seemed to be going thru the motions without the spark that players on new teams have. It is his own fault for not honing his passing skills and bulking up so much that limited his mobility. It was a good run and I hope Kolb can push the team to a SB win.— psuwelsh
- “That’s not my focus … I’ve landed here in Washington and I’m very excited about that." Gee, that's a ringing endorsement, isn't it?— RichB
- "Another opportunity to face a quality opponent and bring him a victory." While McNabb may not have meant it that way and it's probably taken out of context, I couldn't agree more.— riles1875
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- Donovan, best part of all this? You won't have to listen to the morons at 610 especially the head moron at 6am!— JBinPA
- Way to keep it classy 5. Given the chance to trash the organization and the fans, McNabb takes the high road. The body of work speaks for itself, and if you can't appreciate the way Donovan played while he was in Philly, then you're not a football fan.— jonnyb0916
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- So Joseph, you are going to parrot Colin Cowherd whose finger is on the pulse of less than 1% of sports fans. As one of those usually non-vocal fans, I wish Donovan nothing but the best and am fully appreciative of the fact that he is at least the greatest qb in philly history, as long as I go back. There are many "high road" fans out there but it is too easy to make vague generalizations based on the rantings of the vocal minority.— mikey1956
- Reading this stuff still makes me chuckle....Kolb = Super Bowl?....in January you'll be watching re-runs on the NFL channel assuming this crew has TV sets!— PhiEagleII
- We still won't win .............Reid is still here !— no5forme
good luck donny mac, Gonna miss you now, but its time to move on. GL in Wash, hope you get that bowl you couldn't bring home for us, just hope we get there first.— azguz- cheesesteak17 - Sonny Jurgenson, Mike Ditka, and Reggie White did alright after the Eagles. Wait, let me guess, you are 15 years old and no nothing about football before 1999?— EaglesBleedMoney
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- Donovan was made the fall-guy for the team's poor performance against the Cowboys. While Donovan did not play well in those two games, there is more to the story. I stumbled across a story on the NFC East Blog on the ESPN-NFL website. It was an interview with Cowboys linebacker Keith Brookings, and he was asked about the two blow-out wins against the Eagles. He disclosed that the Cowboys had studied tape, and knew each play that was being run out of each formation. Now if that isn't a revelation I don't know what one is. A similar comment was offered by the 49ers after the famous failure of the Eagles to score on four downs at the one-yard line. The 49ers knew what play was being run. The Eagles offense has become so predictable that it makes any quarterback's task that much harder when the opponent's defense is ready due to your predictability. At what point does the Eagles fans hold Banner and Reid responsible for the mediocre performances?— RunningTheBases
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Donovan McNabb will Go down in History as the latest ERIC Lindros in all hype, stats and no guts when it Mattered!!- You're right, Jibberjaber, McNabb has better stats at this stage of his career than Elway did 11 years in.— 46 and 2
- McNabb I want to thank you for 11 of my best years as an Eagles fan. Many of those years were frustrating, but they were the best!! I will still bleed green, but now I must also be a Skins fan. I dread watching the Skins/Eagles games this year.— Bigbadrookie
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- Hmmm lets take a look at some University of Houston QB's: Andre Ware won a Heisman and was first pick of the draft 83 completed passes in 4 NFL seasons. David Klingler 6th pick of draft 3,994 passing yards in 6 NFL seasons. Kevin Kolb............— cuso20
- Donovan McNabb..... is no Jason Donovan! more like Eric Lindros! with Similar Family Issues
- What class McNabb. I hope he suceeds in DC.— mrashed
- ill be rooting for the skins when they pummel eagles. as a longtime eagles fan, who has seen the abyss of this franchise, im done (for now). at least they had a modicum of respect and not ship him to the raiders. ive been tired just as much as the next person about mcnabb's tendency to throw at the knees and his occasional lapse in crunch time, but you would be hard pressed to find a qb that has done better with less over a period of time. he has never had a running game nor any quality receivers-- with the exception of t.o.--until last year when the receiving corps was as exciting as any in the league, but he has still managed to win. if the eagles would have made some moves to fix the o line and d, they would be in much better position than they are now. the best analogy is the broncos. there were people who called for the team to dump elway, instead they got rid of the coach, established a previously non-existent running game, eventually picked up a decent coach--a much better coach than the time management challenged/unbalanced pass-run ratio reid--and won two super bowls. that coach is donovan's new coach. i hope mcnabb gets his ring because he deserves better than the shabby treatment--im not talking anything about salary--he received from the front office and apparently a good portion of the city. who can you seriously point to as the leader of this franchise?— milesahead69
- F*** the Redskins and McNabb. I hope that the Eagles kick the snot out of him everytime they play one another.
- JosephL you just owned them; you OWN the hate-squad...yet they still jibber-jabber like racist children who know absolutely nothing about what they are speaking, in typical ignorant fashion. "Kolb = Super Bowl?" Are you f**king joking? Why? On what basis? Wow, what a shoking argument from the hate-corps. Kolb = Super Bowl, that is the funniest thing I've heard since some idiot saying Roy Halliday is overrated yesterday. have you seen the Eagles defense lately? The Offensive Line? The PUNTER??!!! Kolb = Super Bowl. Yup, when he gets traded to Indy next year to back up a real QB.— dr.elektrika
- Andy Reid was right, it's time to move in another direction. Unfortunately for us, that direction is somewhere in the neighborhood of a 6-10 record for the next, oh, 10 years at least. Hard enough to win a Super Bowl as it is, without showing the franchise the door. That second-round pick we got for McNabb will go down as the Eagles' version of "No No Nanette". Now, on to Kolb. Can't wait for that pick-machine to smash all the McNabb haters' delusions.— Coniglio101
- eagletarian - please remove donovan's picture from your homepage. he's gone— manly
- bye donnie..be happy you have work...unlike me..but my disabilty check came the other day..thanks to all of you who pay your taxes...my man— Lonewolf10
- ok cuso20 now let's take a look at Syracuse QBs.... crickets..... crickets....
- wow I never thought I would see the day but when the Redskins beat us.....boy will the boobirds be out— Coachbob
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- Wow, a good mix of McNabb haters and Philly haters here today... Well, McNabb is a class act and very much appreciated by this Eagles fan. Good luck in DC Donovan. As for the Eagles, they did what they had to do at this point and did it with some class of their own. The Eagles lead by Kolb will do a lot better than what some people seem to think. The NFC East is clearly WIDE open now though. Looking forward to it...— Phillydave
- see ya.
- Ever notice how McNabb would always say "I wanted it to win, but we weren't able to get it done...why did he always put I with the positive and never with the negative as well..That among many reasons(cant connect on a crossing, corner etc route) is why Philly was getting sick of him, never fully took the blame for losses once.— young gz
- It's a shame that the good people of Philadelphia, hae to put up with Classless Philadelphians such as jiggs,jibber, lonelywolf etc. They are all probably all just jobless bums with no life.— nphillydog
- “A lot of you in Philly probably don’t know much about the run game, but we will run the ball here.” ... A jab at Andy there, maybe?— mrbean
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- we are now the redskins!!! hello 3-12 season.— coachbarnes10
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- McNabb is no Elway. Elway wanted to be traded because the fans were so brutal (attempted to pull a Cutler). McNabb was a class act the whole time he was here. Oh, and Elway's career completion percentage is lower than McNabb's. And McNabb is a year younger before Shanahan helped Elway. This should be interesting to watch, to say the least.— psv
- oh and btw Eagletarian you need to change your picture. just saying...— dac113
- He's so cheap and awkward...no more fake smiles.— Pheagles
- What was Shanahan thinking? Doesn't he know there's about 500 idiots in Philly who post about 3,000 times a day that think McNabb Stinks?— Pheagles Fan
- Very classy of Donovan to not trash on Philly in any way. The Media and clowns like Clinton Portis are making it sound ilke Philly didn't appreciate everything he's brought to the franchise. Excluding some of these clowns on the message board, Philly appreciates Donovan's contributions over the last 11 years. He's a HUGE reason this team regularly made the playoffs and OWNED the NFC East for all of the early 2000's... the only thing is i thought it was a little disingenuous for him to say playing the Eagles is going to be no different than playing Dallas. That's BS man... you know it's going to hit you how crazy it is. Anyway, THANKS DONOVAN AND GOOD LUCK WHEN NOT FACING PHILLY.— vmurali
- I don't understand why many of you are hating on the greatest QB in Philadelphia history. Idiotic Philadelphia fans is all I have to say. I'm a Philadelphian, but we are a city with a chip on it's shoulders in many ways, not just sports. Brad Johnson and Jake Delholme won superbowls, and if that is how you judge a QB, maybe you think we are better suited with them than McNabb. When McNabb was in his prime, he had Thrash and Stinkston to throw to. I hope McNabb gets his revenge.— Eman84
- Regardless of what anyone says, McNabb is right about one thing. While he was QB, I thought we could win any game. Best of luck to him. He didn't do anything wrong. The Eagles made their bed, now we need to lie in it. I'm excited to see what Kolb brings to the table. And yes, I will cheer for McNabb when he comes back to Philly. I'll be embarassed for the people who boo.— danterp
- I hate Eagles fans, Philly media and our local sportstalk radio personalities. They are driving me away from the team I've followed my entire life.— ship01
- What's with the mustache Donovan? Guess he's just trying to fit in...looking like Jason Campbell. Anyways thanks for the respect towards Philly and the Eagles in your press conference. They gave you every opportunity to bash us and you didn't. Definitely excited to see #4 take the reins next season.— Ryan Knappenberger
- he totally didn't want to be there...and I agree, the term Redskin is EXTREMELY derogatory in nature. only in america.— jmg7738
Donovan....I was always a supporter and hopefully you refrained from reading the idiotic posts from a lot of losers but I must say that the change will be good for both of us. Thirty Three is not old but the relationship was strained and the offence is now averaging twenty four years old. That being said, I believe the fresh start will do you good and you will have the "Skins in the playoffs in two years. And THAT being said, I do believe that the Eagles will win the Super Bowl in two years. If not.....BYE BYE ANDY! Thanks again Don and good luck in DC.- Comment removed.
- It all comes down 2 money .People need to realize its a business— laborerhill57
- McNabb should never put himself in the same sentence as Dawk. Dawk is a true warrior. McNabb is not.— Dean1
- Good post, JosephL. Far too many "fans" equate success with a Super Bowl win, no less. These same "fans" so easily forgot just how bad the Eagles used to be before McNabb showed up. Though I am looking forward to the prospects of next season, I would be a fool if I did not consider the fact that this team may be embarking on a major step backwards. The amount of personnel this team has parted ways with this offseason is staggering. It is hard to believe that a winner is a guarantee next season. In addition, I have said for the past several months that the Eagles losses to the Cowboys at the end of the season had more to with the offensive line and the inconsistent mess on defense than they had to do with McNabb. Time will tell, I suppose....
- For anyone that is still loving Mcnabb. please go to the DC sites. Mcnabb is gone. Move on. The Redskins have three washed running backs so that so called run game is a joke.— sheeron
- young gz - over analyzing words there a bit? I must have missed something but I thought there were other players on a football team other than the QB? Please fill me in if I am wrong.— EaglesBleedMoney
- Also Dawk left because the Eagles offered two years while denver gave 4. he left for money just like Pat Burrel did to the Phils.— sheeron
- A new stimulus program is being pushed through congress to pay for helmets for worms in the DC area.— fred2fred1
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Kinda feel bad for the guy. I think he really did want to win it all here. But the reality is it was time to move on.— gho_matt- The Eagles did the right move here - for themselves and for Donovan. Both needed a fresh start and will get it. Donovan could have been a lot more bitter, but he is leaving with class and I appreciate that. As for what happens next, I won't predict but it sure will be fun to watch.— Spike Forehand
- I don't see how a quarter back that took the Eagles to 5 nfc championships in 8 seasons is hated so much in Philly. How many quarterbacks fit that profile. You people never liked McNabb since he was drafted. Prior to McNabb...Philly sucked, and now he is gone, you will suck again. DMV stand up.— happyblackman
- Once again the Philly media & fans have run another superstar out of town. If it weren't for the Phils talent (homegrown for the most part) this city would never be a winner. A bunch of babies. Only one team can win the championship each yr in every sport. Don at least gave the Eagles that shot that they didn't have for a long time til he got here. Bunch of ingrates. Yeah, YOU!— XmarksTheSpot
- We're going to miss Donovan - all of us thousands of Eagles fans who wanted him to stay here in Philly. It seems the media never trumpted our voices. We appreciate his stats, how he consistently elevated the Eagles (over more than a decade!)and how he carried himself off the field. He was our best chance of winning a Superbowl within the next couple of years. We'll always be fans of his (though never of the Skins)even as we root for the Eagles!— GodivaMD
- Notice he took a whack at Andy when he said, “A lot of you in Philly probably don’t know much about the run game, but we will run the ball here.” I'm glad he said it. Donovan is taking the fall for Andy's rotten play calling, about which the Eagles opponents (Dallas) bragged that they always knew what was coming, it was so predictable. That has been said by several teams, for years now. Andy is the Field Marshall Haig of the NFL.— laser5
- It's gonna be GREAT watch KOLB excel in the West Coast Offense while watching McCHOKE fade into the aging player wasteland known as the DEADSKINS. Waaaaaaaa waaaaaaa waaaaa I'm Donovan. No one in Philly likes me. Waaaaaaaaaaaa waaaaaaaaaaaaa. GOOD RIDDANCE— jibberjabber
- Super Bowl win is the goal, Super Bowl win is the goal, Super Bowl win is the goal. It can't be repeated enough. While McNabb was part of winning teams, I don't feel we were ever going to win one with McNabb. Philly fans are STARVED for just one Super Bowl win.— matthew76
- I'm finding it hard to believe the negative and insulting comments I'm reading about the best Quaterback in Eagles history. You couldn't ask for a more classy guy, and you flying Philadelphia Pigeons trash him on his exit. He has never uttered one nasty word about Philadelphia, you all you cockroaches have proved to the nation that you rat dropping compared to other fans around the nation. GO MCNABB....can't til you arrive at the link and rip these losers a new one.— Derrick
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- The only thing McNabb could not win in Philadelphia ...was the fans. Mostly because there are a lot clueless, no football knowledge morons. It's a shame such a great talent and upstanding citizen gets run out of town. The guy gave you the best run in Eagles history! Funny, same people that hate McNabb love Jaworski - please explain that logically? Good luck D Mac! (but I still hope you lose whenever you play the Eagles!)— mconnor1
- phillypete...Really???The Sixers??? It might be time to stage an intervention.
- When asked whether the Eagles' offense and the Redskin's offense were similar, McNabb said "They are somewhat similar, but completely different." That is just too deep for Philadelphia. He belongs in Washington.
- Matthew: We lost the SuperBowl by 3 points. If Lito did not stop at the goal line, but continue to cover the receiver, Brady would not toss a TD over his head. The Eagles would have had a nice lead at half time and prob won that game by 4 points....Did you watch the game?— Bigbadrookie
- A whole lot of "I's" and "me's" in McNabb's thoughts and comments. K. Kolb seems to be far more team focused. Probably why he won the locker room.— jtj06
I don't understand some of the hate toward the guy, but, hey it's Philly. I did find it interesting during the press conference one comment made by a Washington media person who said (and I para phrase) "How are you going to feel getting cheered by 90 thousand people instead of being booed?" Did I miss something? I do remember the Redskins specifically Jason Campbell getting booed by their beloved fans on a National TV night game. I'm suprised he didn't mention Santa and the snowball. Please Washington give it a rest it's old, it's played, it's boring and most of all it's tired.— delcodanno- Free at last from McNabb's inconsistencies, not that he has a lot of them but enough to keep us from winning the Super Bowl. Looking forward to Kolb's leadership and ability to put the ball where the receivers can catch it.— veedogtoo
- The man is in another city playing for another team now and that's still not good enough for the haters. This man could have brought home a superbowl win and people would have found something to complain about. (His smile, his salary, his family) People are pathetic! Good Luck #5! You deserve better.— nceagle
- So they are making a big deal out of McNabb already being in the weight room. I wonder if he'll head back to Arizona after the press conference and stay there until training camp like he always did with the Eagles. Also I hope Washington knows to up their grounds keeping budget to pay for divit repairs from low passes.— Frostbit
- JosephL you hurt our feelings. Colin Cowherd! Who cares what that NY A--hole has to say about Philly. Tell him to concentrate on his pathetic METS. McNabb had his shot now the baton is passed. 11 years was already one year too many. Listen to the Eagle players their estatic that Kolb is their QB. Now Joseph go to your corner and suck your thumb and try to think of some more things to say. you gotta be a NY fan!!— PhillyNH
- nceagle you should go with him!!— PhillyNH
guess what nc- if McNabb won just ONE SB here, they would've erected a 20ft high bronze statue of him.— road515- Comment removed.
- FOR ALL YOU KEVIN KOLB FANS I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY GAMES MUST THAT GUYS LOOSE BEFORE YOU GUYS TURN ON HIM LMAO??? NOT ONLY THAT, AT WHAT POINT DO WE START TO MOVE IN THE DIRECTION OF THE VICK??? IN CASE YOU EAGLE FANS HAVEN'T NOTICED THE LAST TIME A NFL TEAM RELEASE OR DIDNT SIGN THEIR HALL OF FAME QB FOR THE REPLACEMENT IT TOOK TWO FULL SEASON/YEARS TO GET IT TOGETHER AND THEY HAVEN'T EXACTLY RETURNED THE DOMINATE FORM BEFORE THEY OUSTED HIM... KOLB ISN'T READY POINT BLANK AND IN MY OPPINION THEY ARE BASING WHAT THEY HOPE HE'S GOING TO DO ON THE TWO GAMES HE THREW BACK TO BACK 300 YRD IN... BUT WAIT WASNT THAT AGAINST THE TAMPA BAY YUC'S AND KS RIEF'S REAL WINNERS SUPER BOWL CONTENDERS EVEN LMAO!!! THIS IS SO REMEINSENT OF THE WAY THEY DID RANDELL CUNNINGHAM 12-14 YEARS AGO... I DO BELIEVE THE VERY NEXT YEAR HE PUT UP RECORD NUMBERS WHEN THROWING THE BALL TO ROCKIE RANDY MOSS AND VETERAN CHRIS CARTER THE BIGGEST SINGLE SEASON EFFORT UP UNTIL THAT POINT BY ANY QUATERBACK IN HISTORY... TO ME THAT MADE THE EAGLES LOOK REALLY BAD MEAN WHILE WE HAD RODNEY PETE AND COMPANY TRYING TO FILL THE VOID... YEA WE ARE ALL LOOKING FORWARD TO THOSE DAYS AGAIN!!! YOU PHILLY FANS DONT KNOW WHEN TO KEEP UR MOUTH SHUT!!! AS A FAN I'M NOT PREPARED OR READY TO GO THREW THAT ISH AGAIN!!!!! SO CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE FORWARD ME AND ADDRESS WHERE I CAN RETURN ALL MY GEAR BECAUSE FO SHO IM NOT WALKING AROUND ANSWERING THE QUESTION MOST THEM LOOSERS IN THE FRONT OFFICE SHOULD BE ANSWERING NOT US FANS!!!! GO SKINS!!! AND IM ORIGINALL FROM PHILLY TOO HOW ABOUT THAT!!!!— DJ_Bootleggah
Hey wiff, did you learn the difference between an All Pro and a Pro Bowler yet? Maybe before you call BleedGF an idiot you better make sure that you aren't making your usual daily a*s of yourself? What flavor shoes do you wear wiff? You stick them in your mouth so often I hope they taste good. Bleed GF! My man today! Hey wiff, glad to see you're starting the KK era the same way you ended the DM era...by being wrong! Oh, and continuing with that theme...DUUUUUUUUKE! What are you now wiff, er Nostradumbarse, 1 correct for the last 56 predictions? Braaavo. How can you be wrong that much when any moron has a 50/50 chance at it? What a complete mope you are. And maybe if you just joined in the conversations instead of trying to be Dr. Football Know it All you wouldn't be attacked so much? But since that's not going to happen and you'll keep posting nonsense, by all means remain, as always, an idiot.— tpizza- Comment removed.
- MCCONNOR1 I LOVE THE JAWS COMMENT HE WAS THE VERY REASON AS A KID I ROUTED FOR THE STEELERS!!! AND TO GO ONE FUTHER I BET ALL THEM JAWS FANS WERE THE ONES THAT WANTED RANDELL OUT OF TOWN AS WELL LMAO!!! MC NABB WAS THE GREATEST QB EVER IN PHILLY AND COULD HAVE WON HAD WE HAD A DEFENSE AND RUN GAME TO GO WITH THE QB MCNABB WAS.... EVER STOP TO THINK ANDY REID SHOULD HAVE BEEN MOVED INSTEAD???— DJ_Bootleggah
- You people should get lives. Such visceral hatred toward a guy that plays a game for a living. A GAME! If the Eagles won the Super Bowl could you trade that euphoria for a mortgage payment? A new car? NO!!! The reason Philly loses is because it does not deserve to win. More fly are caught with honey than vinegar. The negativity stinks to high heaven. 5 carried the offense for so many years, but that is not enough to win big games. There are other facets of the game that are often overlooked. It is funny how many of you must have very short memories. Does anyone remember the 2003 team when are MLB Simoneau weighed about 220? That we could stop the run to save our lives? That season was pretty much bailed out by McNabb's play down the stretch (9 straight wins I believe to secure the best record in the NFC again). Or how we had his rib cartilage ripped from the bone on a personal foul that was not called. Or how Pinkston got alligators on many of those slants (causing the pick). Yet 5 toughed it out and finished the game. You will regret this day. The Eagles will never win a Super Bowl as long as the fan base is so F*$%in' stupid.— worldfan78
I'm happy to see the eagles move on, happy for Donovan to get the fresh start that I think he needs, and happy to see Kevin Kolb finally get his shot. As an Eagles, fan, I think this was the best possible scenario. I have full confidence that Reid knows what he's doing with KK, and the other young players seem to really be behind the guy. McNabb will never get the credit he deserves, but I'll still put him just a notch below Brian Dawkins- if there ever needed to be a bronze statue of an Eagle, it's #20 (I just wish they could do one of him flying through the air behind Plaxico Buress to save a Giants TD). No hate on #5- my all time favorite moment: 4th and 26 in the playoffs and best game was the 4td's on the broken ankle. Great moments for Mcnabb have been very few and far between. For those who don't think Kolb can get the job done: see Jeff Garcia's, AJ Feely's, and Koy Detmer's winning percentage under Andy Reid...is McNabb's percentage any better?— kjuggs77- Now the village idiots along with the local yocal media will have a good reason to hate McNabb twice a year as he beats the pants off this pathetic franchise. Here's to #5 for escaping this dump.— realtruth
- I agree with JosepL I see McNabb whatever his flaws handling this transition with class. I see some Eagles fans acting with no class and in fact making up things about McNabb that are not true. I NEVER remember McNabb as a crybaby - ever. I am losing even more interest in the Eagles.— Blodge
- I love people who say "Philly does not deserve to win". Says who?— road515
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- I meant to say that great moments for #5 have been few and far between over the last few seasons, probably since the entire T.O. situation exploded in 2005. I blame Andy for the clock management late in the Super Bowl (plus the Pats got busted for stealing signs), but McNabb was a 5th/6th year starting QB vet by that time and should have known better. McNabb has been a classy guy the entire time, but just because Donnie isn't here, let's not doom and gloom the Birds or KK-give him a chance, same as you'd expect for #5...— kjuggs77
- I love the slam against Reid and his offensive offense. And to the idiot jibberjabber he may not be Elway but he will beat this team like Elway used to do on his way to a SB.— realtruth
- Kolb = Superbowl. Funny! I don't see the Eagles making the playoffs for a while. Dallas is still the team to beat in the NFC. We were the the team to beat for how many years under Donovans watch?? Eagles fan are really puzzling sometimes but be careful what you wish for. It may come back to bite you. Good luck Don. You never really seemed welcome by a lot of the philly fans. I hope you do well in Washington. Kolb is no Sanchez or Rodgers but I'll see what he does now he's in the drivers seat.— knmcmahon
- Philly haters are one thing but please, for all others don't associate all Philly fans with the small amount of idiots commenting on this thread.— Phillydave
- Philly fans are a joke. Wonder how you ever got a reputation for being knowledgeable because aside from the occasional fan who makes a solid contribution on here, most of what I read is absolutely ridiculous. I have to give the Phillies organization tons of credit for managing to win despite being stuck with this cesspool that is the Philadelphia fan base.— BennGleck:)
- real truth is a real idiot!!!— PhillyNH
- BenGleckisamoronandadope— road515
- We should have traded coaches instead of the QB.— realtruth
- I'm never wanted him to go, but I'm glad he went to a place that can better utilize his talents, and at the same time have the chance to make Andy look stupid for getting rid of him...— phigglesfan75
- DJ Boot----- nice name, real a--hole. go back to the hole you crawled out of— PhillyNH
- Thank you Donovan for what you did here. I may disagree with how he handled some things but it's all over with and I wish him luck except against the Eagles. Thanks Donovan.— davekrieg
- Where to begin.......McNabb will win a SB in DC. Maybe Kolb will, matbe not. As far as him laughing after int's, not much laughter there as he did not throw a heck of a lot of picks. Now, Tom5576, your statement is that Reid knows nothing about football? The supposition I draw from that is that you know more? Go do your homework, it's almost bedtime. I think he may know a little bit. Donovan has always been the pro's pro. Why the complaints about air guitar? It's lame but it doesn't affect his QB'ing. He never really complained about the idiots booing him. He is a great community guy. How many millions did he raise for Virtua Hospital? Who has done more? All that, and he has set EVERY Eagle passing record and will surpass 40,000 yds before his career is over. He is a first ballot Hall of Famer. Dawk's not.— suf
- Gonna be a rough winter in philly— franknbeans
- McNabb- good QB. My honest opinion, after watching McNabb for all these years...is his security is more important than ever winning a SB. If he happens to fall into a SB win, then that's better yet as far as he's concerned.— road515
- The Redskins will be better than the Eagles in 2010. Shanahan knows how to win, and with him and Mcnabb, they may finally bring some stability to that organization. I think I just became a Redskins fan, cause the Eagles are going to S U C K.— sparky2212
- Good frontrunning, sparky. I don't expect less from the ESPN generation.— road515
- Redskins will win their FOURTH Super Bowl before the Eagles win their first...bank on it. Hope you all enjoyed your nice little run of playoff flops up there, but even that window's closed now.— 49yrsnotitle
- "I am a Redskin Now". ... Good, then keep out of the Philly media spotlight, we're sick of ya!— jman
- 49years, yes, YOUR QB was heading the flops. Cheers!— road515
- Reids first press conference in the Kolb era: "We just have to do a better job at putting people in the right position and that falls on me". Reids second press conference in the Kolb era: "We just have to do a better job at putting people in the right position and that falls on me". Reids third press conference in the Kolb era: "We just have to do a better job at putting people in the right position and that falls on me". Sounds like Groundhogs Day continues on.— realtruth
- Too bad Don's class didn't rub off on the many mindless clowns who pollute this forum.— peterwest
- Trade Reid for Cowher!— 46 and 2
if D Mac was a Big Mac Andy would NEVER LET HIM GO !!— daveH- Some of you have pointed this out but it needs to be said again, defenses always new what the eagles were doing by studying tape,even my friends and I knew what play they were going to run. How can you expect a QB to handle that. blame the coaches and the coordinators not Mcnabb. Washington will be a good fit because as Don said they RUN the ball. What a crazy idea take that rock and run and Don will have a field day. Good luck Donnie Mac and I hope Shanahan does right by you.— ease
- PhillyNH- I spent the first 27 years of my life living in suburban Philly. I remember when the Eagles HAD no quarterback, no matter who it was they lined up behind center. For 32 years, I have lived near Pittsburgh, and to this day, still cannot stand anybody wearing black and gold. I am still an Eagles fan, all the way out here. And I am embarrassed at the vitriol and hatred I see and read so often on these boards, directed towards Donovan McNabb, a proven winner. I quoted Colin Cowherd as one, sole voice. Let me add Mike and Mike. Let me add a dozen of Donovan's fellow-pros. Let me add Eric Kasilius (sp?) and Scott Van Pelt. Let me add John Clayton. Let me add commentaters on FoxSports, as well as other ESPN anchors. They all think this trade was nuts. To leave one of the all-timers go for a couple of draft picks, and to bank on a no-name unproven commodity, is 3 degrees short of lunacy. It has been said many times in these comments- be careful what you wish for. I highly doubt the Eagles will even make the playoffs the next 5-7 years. Just do me a favor. Rank the QB's in the NFC east. 1.) Manning 2.) McNabb 3.) Romo 15.) Kolb. These first 3 can be switched anyway you wish, and it's a fair call. #15 stays where he is. Are you happy now?— JosephL
- donnie donnie, can you float me a loan. im a humble guy.. i wont ask for much..my man— Lonewolf10