Criticize that, black-quarterback naysayers!
Donovan McNabb’s performance on the heels of his comments about the pressure faced by black QBs could not have come at a more opportune time.
McNabb's disapproval rating was running high in Philadelphia, even just two games into the season. Granted, those two games were stinkers against the Packers and Redskins—in which McNabb looked clunky and inaccurate and destined for the bench.
Thankfully, the Detroit Lions’ secondary provided a much-needed reprieve for the entire Eagles team.
McNabb was at the center of the offensive revolution Sunday, throwing for 381 yards, four touchdowns, and a perfect passer rating. He found Kevin Curtis open all over the field in the first half, and his touchdown throws—combined with the running of Brian Westbrook—provided the Eagles with 42 first-half points en route to their first win of the season.
Ironically enough, backup Kevin Kolb saw his first NFL action in the second half—relieving a successful McNabb, not an ineffective one.
If McNabb keeps up the good play, it could be the last time Kolb sees the field for awhile.
The pressure McNabb must have felt on Sunday didn't affect his performance. The win might go down as one of the most important in the quarterback’s career, as it secures his starting job for the foreseeable future.
Of course, McNabb is never truly out of the woods in Philadelphia—not with the cutthroat media and hard-to-please fans.
Undoubtedly, McNabb's controversial comments were a product of his environment. The QB has known nothing but trouble in the City of Brotherly Love, despite his obvious success with the Eagles.
McNabb faces greater scrutiny than nearly every other quarterback in the league—and there's no doubt his observations about black QBs were based on his own experience. As usual, his words were blown out of proportion, and people took them to mean far more than McNabb wanted them to mean.
What’s new?
That said, criticism of McNabb's on-field play was warranted. He missed a lot of throws in the Monday night loss, and he was unable to make plays against Green Bay.
His receivers weren't exactly helping him, but he wasn’t making life easy for them, either.
On Sunday, though, everything was easy for Philadelphia, and the game should turn the Eagles’ season around. The team has a winnable game against the New York Giants next week, then a bye followed by three more winnable games in October against the Jets, Bears, and Vikings.
In the meantime, McNabb and the Eagles should enjoy some positive feedback for a change.
Team of the week: Green Bay Packers
Many expected the San Diego Chargers to get healthy against Green Bay, but these obviously aren't the Packers of recent years.
4 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Zander Freund about 1 year ago
"Why not jump to conclusions when it's so easy do?"
Hahahahaha! Kevan, you are too funny.
One thing I kinda don't get though: how come Kevin Curtis' stats are misleading while Donovan Mcnabb's impressive performance answers the questions of his critics and "secures his starting job for the foreseeable future?"
I mean, they played against the same crappy secondary, right?
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Kevan Lee about 1 year ago
Good point, Alexander. Here is how I see it: the main problem with McNabb through the first two weeks was his accuracy and absence of big plays. Accuracy has nothing to do with the defense he's playing, so seeing him hit receivers in stride showed me that he's back to where he needs to be. The big plays came as a result of his accuracy. He would not have played as well as he did--even against the Lions secondary--if he was throwing the ball the same way he did the first two weeks.
Kevin Curtis' stats are misleading because he was WIDE OPEN on so many plays. Philly receivers were having trouble creating separation, but scoring the way Curtis was did not prove that he can get open consistently. It proved that the Lions' secondary was not good.
Does that make sense? It did in my head.
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David Williams about 1 year ago
Funny read Kevan, I wonder if Chad Johnson will start to send orange sodas to all of the db's he's about to terrorize with the message: "providing some carbonation to settle down that sick nauseating feeling you get after trying to cover ocho cinco. It tastes good too!"
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Kevan Lee about 1 year ago
Fanta is missing out on a golden marketing opportunity.
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