TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Unfazed McNabb Has Eagles Flying High

ADVERTISEMENT

By ROY CUMMINGS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 11, 2009

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Donovan McNabb still doesn't understand the move. Chances are he never will. One look at the numbers, though, tells you Eagles coach Andy Reid was justified in making it.

During the 21/2-game span that preceded McNabb's unprecedented benching, which came between halves of the Nov. 23 game against Baltimore, the Eagles quarterback completed just 47 percent of his passes while throwing six interceptions and losing two fumbles.

Not only that, but the Eagles were trailing 10-7 at the time, with the seven points coming on a 100-yard Quintin Demps kickoff return. Couple that with the fact the Eagles were coming off a loss two weeks earlier to the Giants and a tie the week before with Cincinnati and you can see what Reid was aiming for.

His entire team needed a spark. And it's hard, even in hindsight, to say his controversial decision to bench the face of the franchise for the second half of that Ravens game didn't provide it.

"Sometimes you just need to take a little step back and then you take a big step forward," Reid said. "I mean, this guy's phenomenal. You're talking about one of the all-time greats to ever put on an Eagles uniform."

Since McNabb's return to the lineup a week later against the Cardinals, the Eagles have won five of six games, including last week's wild-card playoff effort against the Vikings in Minnesota, in which a confident and poised McNabb completed 23 of 34 passes for 300 yards and a TD.

That, though, was typical post-benching McNabb. Since the benching, McNabb has completed 65 percent of his passes for 1,446 yards, 10 TDs and two interceptions. His passer rating during that span is around 100, but McNabb insists his improved level of play has nothing to do with Reid's decision to bench him.

"I think it's completely coincidental," McNabb said. "I don't think that factored into the way I'm playing now at all. That's all in the past now. We've moved on."

On and up. Once a .500 team that was flailing away in its effort just to reach the playoffs, the Eagles are seen by some as a favorite to make it to the Super Bowl.

Some have even likened them to last season's Giants, who won the Super Bowl in uncanny fashion, by winning three straight playoff road games before beating the heavily favored Patriots in the title game.

"It's easy to say that we're similar, but they went on to win the Super Bowl," McNabb said. "Right now we just want to be the Eagles of 2009. So, it's easy to say that, but I don't see it right now."

He may see things a little more clearly if the Eagles beat the Giants at the Meadowlands today. There are reasons other than McNabb's level of play to believe that could happen.

While the Eagles have gained steam, the Giants have cooled down. New York has lost three of its past four, including a home game last month to the Eagles. That's nothing new, of course. Of the last six meetings between these two teams in the Meadowlands, the Eagles have won four. And McNabb has been the starter in every one of those victories.

"All he's done is put up probably a Hall of Fame career," Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce said. "He led a team that looked like they were down and out to the playoffs, and I think what it is is he is a professional.

"He goes there and lays everything on the line and he's been doing it ever since he's been in the league. And this time will be no different. We have to be ready for him."

Reporter Roy Cummings can be reached at (813) 259-7979.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT