Stunner: McNabb does not even know the NFL rules
Philly.com, Inquirer, and Daily News coverage of the Eagles
Stunner: McNabb does not even know the NFL rules
I thought I was done thinking -- let along blogging -- about today's Eagles' debacle but this is so stunning I have to put it out there. Donovan McNabb apparently played the entire overtime period in the 13-13 tie -- the first tie in pro football in six years -- with the Bengals without knowing one of the basic NFL rules, that regular season games end in a deadlock if no one scores in the 15-minute stanza:
No one was more surprised than McNabb that it ended so soon—3 hours, 46 minutes after the opening kickoff. The 10th-year quarterback thought it would keep going until someone scored, just like a playoff game.
Wrong.“I didn’t know that,” said McNabb, who played a leading role in keeping it tied. “I’ve never been part of a tie. I never even knew it was in the rule book. I was looking forward to getting the opportunity to get out there and try to drive to win the game. But unfortunately with the rules, we settled with a tie.”
Wow. The thing is, knowing that time is expiring, or not knowing, would seem to make a huge difference in your pyschology the last couple of times that the Birds had the ball. In fact, when the Eagles had a 4th-and-1 on their own 22 late in the overtime and elected to punt, Merrill Reese and Mike Quick were making the case (and I agreed) that the Eagles should have gone for it -- because a tie would be so damaging to their shrinking playoff chances. But one of the key people out there didn't even understand the scenario, or the sense of urgency? Again, wow. Did Andy Reid know the rules?
Wait until McNabb hears about the 2-point conversion!
I wasn't listening to Merrill and Mike, but I was saying the same thing. If they make that first down, they have a shot at winning. If they go for it but don't make it, chances are they lose. But by punting the ball at that point, Reid is telling the team that they are playing for a tie. Yeah sure, maybe something weird happens like the punt returner fumbling. but punting with one minute left most likely means you either tie or lose! WTF!!— legatus- Time to start looking to the future. This bunch is done. Bring on the new quarterback.— dutchman
- Will, at this point, who really cares? What's done is done, and I've officially gone into Phillies mode. I'll always root for my Eagles, but at this point, I'll be focusing my attentions on Sundays elsewhere until someone in the top brass realize that the supposed "Gold Standard" was simply fool's gold. I believe the Eagles won't become relevant again until 2011 at the earliest, if the scouts did their job and drafted a QB better than Trent Edwards.— grales
- "This bunch is done." Which Bunch?— legatus
- I am not surprised that Donny doesn't know the rules . He's a strange dude . Not the sharpest tool in the shed. How about last week when he was out of breath after watching the giants offense for most of the game . His best days are certainly behind him. To quote Buddy Ryan "trade him for a six pack , and it doesn't even have to be cold"— steve999
- They looked pathetic. Any given Sunday the Eagles can be beat and there isn't a team in the league that fears us. I'm tired of seeing the smug mugs of Reid and McNabb.— debrat
- I have always been critical of McNabb, for throwing up, being out of breath, laughing after a bad play, wasting time, wasting timeouts because they do not get the play called or to the line quickly, throwing over heads and at feet, trying to be studious in interviews instead of honestly assessing himself, comparing himself to President-elect Obama; but when I heard this on TV earlier I swore to my brother that we didn't hear it correctly. All Philly fans want is to love a winner (i.e. 2008 Phils) and, rigthfully so, we crucify stupidity!— bobbyhealey
- this was a bad junior high game. i was pulling for the bengals kicker to drill that final kick so we don't have to hear about the mathematical possibilities. reid should grow some cujones and go for it on the 4th and short. the season was on the line but there was no sense of urgency. its all over...thank god for the phillies buzz which will last awhile longer.— natedog
- Sheesh! Even hockey doesn't end in ties anymore! Was he waiting for the shoot out?— piltdownman
Comment removed.- WQonder what Eskin's excuse will be tomorrow. A cllaer asked him Friday what the Eagles had to do to win against the Bengals. He answered, "Show up." I guess they didn't. Will he still be claiming Reid is the best coach going?— mike l
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- A QB Not knowing the rules is a disgrace. This is his JOB ! Question : does the Head Coach know the rules ? My first "WHAT", came when I heard a TV announcer last week say, in a conversation with a quarterback, that the qb said he didn't get his footwork going until later in a game. That smacks of somebody not disciplined and not warming up correctly...That's a Junior High thing ! Not knowing the rules !!! That's all on the QB ! It is similar to a driver education student explaining that the reason they ran the car through a fence an on to a baseball field, was that they didn't know they they had to press the brake DOWN to stop the car ! Granted the driver ed instructor should know that you can't assume "knowledge" ! But a PROFESSIONAL QB NOT knowing the rules ? An adult ? A ten year veteran ? The word is "disgrace". Where's VanBrocklin ?— wambli
- It's one thing to not know the rule. But to be clueless enough to keep talking about it. As soon as I heard this quote all of the 10 yrs of questions just melted away. That's why he throws 3 yd dumpoffs in the middle of the field with seconds left in the half/game and no timeouts. That's why he can't run a hurry up offense. That's why he can't look off a receiver or pump fake to draw a safety (every pick today and the 3-4 they dropped was him just watching the receiver run their route- the safeties were jumping routes all day). He's a dope. I've defended him for years but honestly it's just time to admit after 2 .500 seasons that this is a rebuilding team. But the arrogant coach can't bring himself to admit that he's failed. Turn the page aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand.....Pitchers and catchers in less than 100 days. World #%*$ Champions baby!!!!— Phanfrombirth
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