McNabb still in the lockerroom

by JasonB on Dec 28, 2006 9:44 AM EST in Philadelphia Eagles News

Les Bowen wrote an interesting piece about what's been going on with Donovan McNabb. I was actually somewhat surprised to hear that he's doing his rehab in the Novacare complex and has been in the lockerroom every day, mostly because we haven't heard from him...

An Eagles spokesman said yesterday that McNabb hasn't done a news conference since his Nov. 19 injury because he doesn't want to be a distraction as the Eagles try to wrap up the NFC East title Sunday against the visiting Atlanta Falcons. The spokesman said McNabb, who has done a few brief TV interviews, doesn't plan to speak in depth until the season is over.

Dawkins talked about McNabb's mood.

Donovan is a grown man and he understands what's going on," free safety Brian Dawkins said. "He's excited for what's going on with us. He's not in the background, backbiting and being upset. He's excited for what we're doing and also excited for what people were saying we weren't going to be able to do without him

Garcia said he and McNabb speak frequently.

"We don't necessarily discuss football," Garcia said. "The main thing he says to me is just, 'Handle your business. Keep doing what you're doing.' And my main thing is to let him know that we're all in this together. And he is helpful, even though he's not on the sidelines with us, and he is definitely a motivation, an inspiration to this team

Andy says Donovan is Jeff Garcia's biggest fan...

I talk to Donovan all the time and Donovan is one of Jeff's biggest fans," Reid said. "He's in here every day, encouraging people and being Donovan. He's pulling for the team. I don't think he's going to worry about the other thing [fan reaction]. He knows he's going to work like crazy and get himself back and ready to go.

Brookover basically quashes any thought that McNabb may not be happy with the success of the team without him

Those close to McNabb insist he is thrilled with the success of Garcia and his teammates, and has chosen to remain behind the scenes to avoid becoming any type of distraction.

"This is his position. I just have a temporary hold on it," Garcia said. "I'm just trying to do the best possible job I can to help this team win and I think Donovan's very supportive of that."

Dawkins said he speaks to McNabb almost daily and has not been given a single vibe that his friend and teammate over the last eight years feels threatened by Garcia's success in any way.

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Class act by McNabb

No surprise there. McNabb has always tried to do the right thing. Only T.O. has been able to annoy him into taking a shot but that's what T.O. does best.

The reality is, the Eagles just rented Garcia for a year. Next season Garcia will be the starting QB for another team. Probably not in the NFC East where every team has committed to a QB, but Garcia obviously still has the skills and desire, and there are plenty of teams that will be looking for his kind of leadership. In the meantime I'm grateful to have him on the Eagles. His performance has been starter quality, far better than you would expect from any backup.

by Dire Radiant on Dec 28, 2006 12:49 PM EST reply actions

Future of Garcia

It is the nature of the Philadelphia sports fan to get ahead of himself. The Eagles are on a good streak - no doubt about it. Garcia is clearly playing well. But let's keep in mind that half of this streak consists of not that impressive performances in wins over relatively bad teams in Carolina and Washington and that the success of the running game and of the defense has made for a nice situation for Garcia. There is no way for an NFL franchise to ignore the fact that he will be 37 years old next year or his recent lack of success in Cleveland and Detroit. Even given the lack of quality quarterbacks in this league, Jeff Garcia will not find a team willing to hand over the starting position to him - no matter how well the Eagles do from here on out. The best he can hope for is a Brian Griese-type situation or the type of situation that he has with the Eagles this year.

by dave in san mateo on Dec 28, 2006 1:32 PM EST up reply actions

So far

I'm so far ahead of myself I'm assuming McNabb comes back all the way from the knee. Knock wood.

I can see your point that Garcia might not find any takers due to his age. Still, there's at least a couple of teams that could pay Garcia a decent bonus and starter money for a short term deal. And it remains to be seen what holes will develop at QB in the offseason. (BleedGreen mentioned the Vikes. Will Favre return to Green Bay? Will Culpepper rehab successfully? Stay tuned.)

by Dire Radiant on Dec 28, 2006 5:40 PM EST up reply actions

Garcia as a starter

Frankly, I don't see it. I just don't see a team giving a 37 year old QB the multi year deal he'd probably want to be a starter. At best he's going to get an offer from a bad team that just drafted a young QB and needs someone to hold the place. That's the exact kind of situation he didn't want to be in.

Unless there's a team out there in a similar boat to the Baltimore Ravens this past offseason, I just don't see him going anywhere. I just can't find the team that would be the right fit.

I would have said maybe Tampa, but they just resigned Simms. I suppose the Vikings could be a possibility?

Bleeding Green Nation Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Dec 28, 2006 1:38 PM EST up reply actions

Wait and see

At age 37 Garcia has to know it won't be a multi-year killer contract and that he'll be expected to train a young successor. If his expectations are realistic he could take a short term deal like that. But yes, it probably depends what happens in the offseason.

by Dire Radiant on Dec 28, 2006 5:42 PM EST up reply actions