McNabb press conference

by JasonB on Feb 17, 2007 9:49 PM EST in Philadelphia Eagles News

Donovan McNabb spoke to the local media for the first time since his injury at a charity even this weekend. As usual the guy was class all the way and came off as the kind of comfortable team guy he's always been.

Specifically, he spoke about Reid's troubles and the prospect of Garcia starting next year.

On Reid

McNabb, rehabbing his surgically repaired right knee, said he hopes everything turns out well for Reid, who is taking a one-month leave of absence to deal with his sons' legal problems.

"We all support him," McNabb said Saturday in his first comments about Reid's family problems. "I just continue to pray for him that everything will turn out for the best."

Reid's sons Garrett, 23, and Britt, 21, are facing separate legal issues.

McNabb said it has been a while since he has spoken to Reid, but that he has sent text messages and left phone messages.

On Jeff Garcia

While McNabb is still hopeful of beginning next season as the Eagles' starting quarterback, he said he'd be content to let Garcia start if he's not ready to play. That is, if the Eagles re-sign the unrestricted free agent.

"I'm a big supporter of Jeff, and I've always said that," McNabb said. "I'm all for Jeff to be back, first and foremost. He's a great guy, a great player and he does great things for this team.

"I won't have a problem with Jeff being out there if I'm not able to go."

On his injury

"We've been rehabbing every day and just making strides," he said. "It's kind of hard to say if I'm ahead of schedule or right on schedule because we're still at that beginning stage.

"The knee is getting stronger."

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Comments

This begs the question...

What if McNabb is not ready to go and Garcia starts the first 4 games and goes 4-0? Would we then have a quarterback controversy?

There are two things to consider.

#1 - A guy never loses his job because of injury. (This excludes Wally Pip, who was replaced by Lou Gehrig and never started again)

#2 - A 4-0 start is momentum and you don't want to break up chemistry/momentum in the middle of a season.

To quote Keanu Reeves from Point Break: "What do you do? What do you do?"

Fly Eagles Fly!
The Eagles Chronicles

by klkatz on Feb 18, 2007 11:33 AM EST reply actions

Remember... He played on a broken foot

5 will be ready... even if he isnt, he'll play. I've always believed that in 05 he was injured before the hit he took in the falcons game. In fact I'm pretty sure that he admitted that. Mark my words... He'll start in the opener

He is a super nice guy and always says the right things, but I guarantee you he is too much of a competitor to let garcia start next season.

-Denver

by 700 Level on Feb 19, 2007 8:17 AM EST reply actions

I agree

He's going to find someway to get himself on the field by the start of the season.

From everything I've heard, his injury was no worse than Carson Palmer's in the playoffs 2 years ago. Palmer was back by the preaseason with much less time to heal.

However, if Garcia were to start off well.. Frankly 4 games I don't mid switching to McNabb. That's still early enough. PLus, watching the playoffs last year I think it was obvious that our best shot to win is with McNabb. Garcia is a great game manager and he won't make alot of mistakes, but as far as the guy with the flat out physical tools to win games... that's McNabb.

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by JasonB on Feb 19, 2007 9:28 AM EST up reply actions

Agreed....

Ya know I'm so glad that there a still people around who actually use their head!

"Garcia is a great game manager and he won't make alot of mistakes, but as far as the guy with the flat out physical tools to win games... that's McNabb."

I got so tired of hearing how garcia was better than mcnabb! For the last time... its because we actually ran the football.

hey here's another topic... does mcnabb make the HOF? Does he need another 4 or 5 good years? Or if he never played another down, would he still have a chance??

-Denver

by 700 Level on Feb 19, 2007 11:00 AM EST reply actions

In order for McNabb to make the HOF...

...he has to throw for over 40,000 yards and get to about 250 TD's for his career. Winning a SB will help immensely; look at what it did for Troy Aikman, whose stats were no better than Dave Krieg's.

If he never played another down, no way. He would go down in history as the 'potential' HOFer. About 5 more years of his '01 (3300 yards, 25-12) or '04 (3900, 31-8) stats would put him in a prime place to get in.

I agree with the sentiment above. Jeff Garcia served his function, but he is no McNabb. McNabb gives the Birds the best chance to win and go deep. Garcia has to rely on the tired canard of 'not making mistakes' because he isn't a playmaker. #5 is.

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by The Don of DC on Feb 19, 2007 11:20 AM EST reply actions

McNabb HOF

I agree. He need at least 4 or 5 more years of high level production to get in. A ring and two more years of big numbers would probably be enough also...

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by JasonB on Feb 19, 2007 11:23 AM EST up reply actions

The ring plus 2 great years...

...would put him on a Steve Young type plane. I still cannot figure out Aikman's enshrinement...I have written about it many times and it will baffle me forever.

Catch some Strange World Sports. It's an offer you can't refuse!

by The Don of DC on Feb 19, 2007 1:56 PM EST up reply actions

moon?

Just out of curiosity, how good were Warren Moon's numbers?

-Denver

by 700 Level on Feb 19, 2007 11:47 AM EST reply actions

Moon...

Threw for about 49,000 yards and 291 TD's. And that was just his NFL numbers. Never mind his CFL numbers prior to coming over to the NFL. He had probably about another 20,000 yards and 100 or more TD's in the CFL.

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by The Don of DC on Feb 19, 2007 1:54 PM EST reply actions

Yeah

He came into the NFL late. Frankly, I think his CFL numbers should be somewhat considered. Isn't it the pro football hall of fame? Not the NFL hall of fame.

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by JasonB on Feb 19, 2007 2:26 PM EST up reply actions

It is the "Pro Football" Hall of Fame

But it shows considerable bias toward the NFL and its players. I don't think a lot of the other pro leagues in American football history have many players represented.

Catch some Strange World Sports. It's an offer you can't refuse!

by The Don of DC on Feb 19, 2007 6:49 PM EST up reply actions