McNabb story "Made Up" | Garcia on Leno

by JasonB on Jan 24, 2007 9:31 AM EST in Philadelphia Eagles News

First and foremost, continuing from yesterday's Mark Eckel induced McNabb drama... it has become more and more clear that it was a completely made up story.

Bob Brookover in the Inky basically debunked the story the same way we did yesterday...(thanks to BrianS for finding the link)

Andy Reid, speaking from the senior bowl,

"I think people are making a lot of things up here that aren't true," Reid said yesterday in a conference call from Mobile, Ala.

McNabb's agent, Fletcher Smith who is probably more reliable than any "source familiar with McNabb" Eckel claimed to have. If anyone was going to be out there fighting for what McNabb wants and representing his real feelings it would be his agent right?

"None of these stories quoted him," Smith said. "They're all quoting sources close to Donovan. They claim to know what he thinks and what he's feeling. Who are these people? I don't know. I think there should be some level of responsibility in getting his side of the story before printing some of this stuff. It's sensationalism, and I guess it sells newspapers."

"None of it is true"

Smith said he believed that McNabb would share his thoughts with reporters before or during the Super Bowl. McNabb is expected to attend the Super Bowl as part of a Campbell's Soup promotion. Smith said he hadn't spoken to McNabb since flying to Mobile, but he insisted that nothing that had been written was a true reflection of his client's feelings.

"I'm absolutely comfortable saying that," Smith said.

So there you go. Your move Mark Eckel. From what I can tell you've ducked every interview request since this story and I've not heard of you responding to one reader/Eagle fan's email to you. If you are going to print this stuff, you had better be ready to get out there and back it up. You too ESPN, you ran with this like it was fact. Where is your reporting of what Reid and McNabb's agent have said? I was listening to Mike and Mike on ESPN radio this morning and as of 8:30am they were still acting as if it was confirmed that McNabb was angry with the Eagles. Let's see some repsonsibility and accountability.

Also, there were some reports that I think were posted on Profootballtalk.com that said that Jeremiah Trotter and Jon Runyan had expressed support for Garcia over McNabb for next year. Runyan flatly denied them on local TV in Philly and challenged anyone to name a source that said it about it. Again, where is the accountability with these people quoting "unnamed sources"

In lighter news, Jeff Garcia was on Leno last night and basically said everything you'd expect him to.

On a show usually devoted to selling albums and publicizing movies, the 36-year-old Eagles quarterback provided news, confirming to Leno that he will "definitely" test free agency beginning March 1.

At the end of the interview, Leno asked Garcia about returning to the Eagles.

After saying it would "be great" if something could be worked out, Garcia seemed eager for free agency.

"I'll definitely be testing the waters," he said. "I've got to see what's out there."

I actually hope Jeff finds a starting job out there. It would be nice to have him back, but I'm okay with Feeley as the #2 and Garcia has earned the right to have one more go as a full time starter.

This is a pretty funny skit Garcia did to open the show...

The full interview is here.

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Mike Celezic: "McNabb acting like TO"

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16776646/

I really don't know who Mike Celezic of MSNBC.com is, but I bet he's a close friend or relative of the aforementioned Mr. Eckel.

Failure is not an option in this dojo. -- Shawn Barber

by BrianS on Jan 24, 2007 2:51 PM EST reply actions

There is no comparison

T.O. is publicly ripping Parcells on his way out the door, while McNabb has stayed quiet and been a team player. There are no quotes from McNabb. The situations are not even comparable, which makes the article even more ridiculous.

by Dire Radiant on Jan 24, 2007 3:06 PM EST up reply actions

Hilarious

I think this is my favorite part of that article:

"Eagles coach Andy Reid, who could be forgiven for thinking he was through with such nonsense when T.O. left, was in full denial mode before the day was over, telling reporters in a conference call: "I think that people are making a lot of things up here that aren't true. That's how it works. I just hate to see people making things up that aren't really true."
Good try, Andy, but you know as well as anyone that rumors don't make themselves up, and journalists don't simply make things up."

I understand that 99% of sports journalism is about selling newspapers, and nothing sells better than controversies, so it behooves writers to exacerbate crap, whether it's real or not.

But c'mon. This is ridiculous.

by maxr on Jan 24, 2007 3:07 PM EST up reply actions

Journalists?

Ah. Journalists don't simply make things up. I see. Well maybe so, but we're talking about sportswriters here. "Journalists" indeed.

What a pathetic attempt to deflect criticism. As if nobody can question sources, and these sportwriters' inability to put quotes around anything said in their articles and attribute those quotes to named people.

Other than the flat denial from Reid and McNabb's agent, of course.

It would be laughable if it weren't so destructive.

by Dire Radiant on Jan 24, 2007 3:31 PM EST up reply actions

LOL

"journalists don't simply make things up"

I literally laughed out loud there...

You're so right DR, "journalists" and "sportswriters" are two different things.

I'm guessing this know nothing from MSNBC doesn't quite realize Eckel's track record for getting things wrong.

Bleeding Green Nation Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Jan 24, 2007 4:03 PM EST up reply actions

Kevin Eubanks...

Jeff Garcia is only 6 ft. 1... which makes Eubanks about 4 ft 9.. man he looks short in that skit... i've never seen him off that stool... now i think we know why...

Fly Eagles Fly!
The Eagles Chronicles

by klkatz on Jan 24, 2007 6:35 PM EST reply actions