Athiest, you're a little off here. I understand how someone can draw their conclusions by just evaluating what the media is offering. However, you need to understand how much the game plans changed once 5 went down. The big play we saw time and time again (the eagles led the NFL by leaps and bounds in plays 20+ yrds) was thrown out the window. AR was forced to lean more on Brian Westbrook and change a lot of what the offense was doing. If this change would have occurred while 5 was under center, the results would have been even greater. Also, in case you missed most of the Eagles games, Garcia was a running fool. He actually ran as much if not more than McNabb. We should also mention that every player in the locker room, save a few, thought they were done just like in 05'. This lead to everyone stepping their game up. We also must consider that Reid surrendered the play calling duties to the offensive coordinator, who just so happen to work with Garcia in San Fran. This lead to way better clock management. As far as production (numbers), Garcia's not on the same planet as 5 (remember after their 4-1 start he was the early favorite for MVP (his numbers were ridiculous). Now concerning Mcnabb's running. Dude, this isn't 01'. He stopped running a long time ago. Actually he was asked to run a little more instead of trying to force balls into tight spaces. In short (haha), you're actually way off here man. Make no mistakes, and don't let some pot stirring media stories fool you. This is Mcnabb's team for a long time to come. He will get over the hump, just like Manning did.
You make some very valid points Bishop. If I can say I didn't mean to imply McNabb was still running as he did in the past. I mean his running of the past has lead to his fragility today. Further more he did not develop the skills that say Garcia has, in part because of the success he had running all over the field. Regardless by looking at the record and somewhat by your own admission. The teams play has improved with Garcia. Does that make Garcia a better team leader? Team are constantly trying to find the right combination. It seems the offensive coordinator and Jeff Garcia are not only a better combination for Philly, but the whole team is responding better to the combination. Maybe the whole TO and McNabb fiasco of the previous year not only got TO fired but also tarnished McNabb's image as a team leader. All I can say is it is pretty hard to go backwards when the current situation is working better. Also note when McNabb was 4 and 1 he had beat Houston, San Francisco, and Green Bay, the only division opponent he beat was Dallas, none of which made the playoffs. The only playoff team they played in those first 5 games was their division rival the Giants to whom they lost. Then McNab went on to a disasterous showing to compile a losing record. On the other hand during the time Garcia was QB he defeated Washington, Dallas, Carolina, Atlanta and the Giants twice when the playoffs and the season were on the line. Do or die games. They went into the playoffs on a roll and barely got beat by New Orleans on the road. I think its a no brainer to say they were a better team with Garcia than with McNabb. Especially against their division rivals and playoff calibre teams.
Quick note, AJ Feely beat Atlanta, and again there is no doubt that the team rallied around Garcia (with McNabb they were expected to win, with Garcia they were underdogs). The 3rd time they played the Giants in the playoffs, Brian Westbrook beat them. McNabb's losses included 3 games lost on the last play of the game after the McNabb led offense put the team ahead. I put that more on the defense rather than a bad showing by the QB. When you're the number 2 offense in the league, scoring 24 points a game but still losing, there is likely a problem on defense vs. offense. Also McNabb's MVP like numbers continued well into their losing streak.
This is a non-issue. Anyone who thinks Jeff Garcia will be the Eagles starter next year and not McNabb (health permitting) is kidding themselves. Garcia did what a good, experienced backup is supposed to do: Come in and help the team win. I don't even think Garcia would be able to hold up over an entire season at this point in his career. The guy did a good job, and if he can go elsewhere and be a big hit, great for him. McNabb is the QB in Philly, unless he's just not physically able.
Philly should not go nuts here. What Reid should learn from the Garcia games is that Westbrook needs to run the ball. Throwing the ball 60 times per game with Mcnabb is not going to take you far. Westbrook could be 1 of the best backs in the league if he ran more when Mcnabb was qb. The pieces are there if they were balanced out.
What Reid should learn from the Garcia games is that Westbrook needs to run the ball. Even though Westbrook's durability is as questionable as McNabb's, I agree with you, louisville_slugger. Westbrook is absolutely amazing.
Well said dyams, I think that summarizes the situation magnificiently. McNabb= nexts years starter. Garcia= Capable backup, but too old to become a legitimate full-time starter. (Especially with Phili) McNabb is upset, but he'll get over it. Eagles= average, underachieving team= OUT OF CONTENTION.
donovan has been philly's man for a long time, and until he retires, or goes down with a season ending injury, he's still the qb. i bet my 9ers sure would like to have jeff back.
Trade McNabb to the Cowboys that way he can be back with his buddy T.O. See ya Donavan. Good riddance
So predictable, star-gets-hurt-back-up-comes-
in-and-team-steps-up. So some yutz decides there's a controversy. Yawn. The Eagles ran the ball more thean 30% a game, and it worked. Nothing more than that. McNabb will be just fine as long as he can rehab his knee. Also, the story references the Trenton Times. So wouldn't it make more sense to go to the paper referenced than to link to a generic "Staff Reports" story? Read the actual story and you'll see there's nothing to this. At all. It's a bit of opinion, sprkinled with "Someone could sign Garcia as a free agent." Holy cow. Stop the presses.
pot stirring media stories fool you? someone taking a potshot?
why are we worried about mc nabb being worried?
McNabb's agent tells the Philadelphia Inquirer: "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." And The Trenton Times probably needs all the help it can get. By the way, unidentified sources from the New Bolton Center tell me that Barbaro is actually a unicorn and that's why he's still alive. But I'll never reveal my sources.
Anyone who has watched an Eagles game knows that their problem lies in the area of the d-line and linebackers. The offense is simply left trying to outscore the other offense - just like the announcers were saying in the Saints-Eagles game, it's a boxing match and whoever is left standing will win. Everyone knows this is never a good game plan. Garcia is not better than McNabb, actually only one or two QB's are better than McNabb at this point. Look at his numbers, and look at where he has taken his team. Remember, prior to TO, the Eagles had NO wide receivers. There number one guy was Todd frickin Pinkston, who was notorious for dropping the ball, especially when he was scared of being hit. Yet, McNabb was still able to put up the numbers and go to the big games. And if anyone wants to argue that TO made McNabb better, that's obvious - a good receiver will make a QB better (what would've Montana been without Rice, see KC Chiefs...). But Garcia also had TO in San Fran, and Garcia couldn't do anything. Garcia is a backup for a reason. He has had his chances at a starter, and couldn't make it. Sure, McNabb has confidence problems, but he's still a damn good QB.
Sources close to Barbaro report that his horn was surgically removed and used to repair his leg....
YES! You talked to them too, huh?
Yeah, Garcia was crap when he was with the 'Niners.
Give Garcia credit for being a tough, scrappy guy who did a good job when given the chance. But I think it is doubtful that he could survive a season playing that way at his age. And he won't get the chance unless McNabb has a few bad games in a row and the Philly fans boo him off the field. I really want to like McNabb, he seems like a nice guy, but he hasn't yet shown the ability to retain his composure under fire (referred to as "choking" by some). It's on him to prove that he can do that and I hope he can.
And he won't get the chance unless McNabb has a few bad games in a row and the Philly fans boo him off the field. I don't doubt that someone might give Garcia a shot at being a starter this season and I hope he takes it. He deserves it. The guy's a great competitor. And he professional enough to know that if he stays in Philadelphia he'll be a back-up. I hope they can keep him for several reasons, the least of which is he's great insurance. I doubt he'll come in if the fans are unhappy. And the QB-choke thing needs to just go away. A team loses, assume the QB choked. Seriously, there are 21 other guys on the field. For example, McNabb totally coughed it up when he didn't tackle Jurevicius. And he should get zero credit for getting the Eagles to NFC Championship games. Where have you gone Bobby Hoying and Rodney Peete? Please come back and save us from Donovan McNabb.
Give Garcia credit for being a tough, scrappy guy who did a good job when given the chance. I don't know. Can you be scrappy if you are over 6'?
I don't know. Can you be scrappy if you are over 6'? Yes, if the other guys are over 6'5".
Obleeze, are you kiddin me? Garcia is a great QB. Three pro bowls in four years. I don't remember where i read this, but Walsh is quoted as saying that Garcia was let go b/c his contract was an incentive laden one. Since he was producing so much his deal ended up killing the niners, and they let him go (which by the way that has worked out well for them). The guy had a couple Brees-esqe years in San Fran. The problem with Garcia is the same w/Brees. They are not 6' 6" and run a 4.3 40. I find it interesting though that those guys played postseason ball, and the "more athletic" types sat at home. I think the nfl as a whole needs to quit slobbering over pure athleticism and freakish body frames and start looking more at intangibles at Qb. Garcia is a great qb, and i hope some team scoops him up and starts him; he deserves it. Rant ends now.
Brainofdtrain: Garcia is a good QB, but not a great one...let's not get carried away. If he is so great why would he accept a number two spot behind a franchise player? Great QB's never CHOOSE to be a No. 2...You're right he did have solid numbers in the early part of this decade...but what happened in Cleveland? What happened in Detroit? You can make the argument that his team sucked also...but so did McNabb's earlier this decade, and he still made it to big games... (And maybe I am jealous of him for having the girlfriend that he has, there I said it...) Also, the whole pro bowl argument holds no water with me. Rich Gannon was pro bowl MVP twice -- Yes Rich Gannon, not exactly a great QB (look at his super bowl performance). SummersEve: Rodney Peete and Bobby Hoying can't hold Bubby Brister...
I am, by no means, am a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles. My problem with this situation is that Donovan McNabb has never said one bad thing about Jeff Garcia and what he's done for the Eagles down the stretch. Why is Mac-5 being crucified for NOT saying anything. All of this BS started because Garcia was playing well and led the team to 5 consecutive victories and into the playoffs, but isn't that what a backup supposed to do? I mean, if a starting player goes down from some kind of injury, isn't the backup supposed to come in and step up to the plate and perform well? That may not be the case with backups on certain teams but it was in this instance. Jeff Garcia was and is no slouch. The 2 years he spent in Cleavland and Detriot respectively, were pretty much down years for him since he wasn't even playing in the west coast offense that he was so used to. When Garcia was signed to the Eagles, it was as a backup to McNabb. I'll give Garcia all the credit he deserves, he showed why he was a 3-time Pro Bowl player when he played for the San Francisco 49ers and all he needed was the right system to play under. No one should make Donovan out to be the "bad guy" when he didn't even say one thing to begin with. The media creates controversy since that is what sells newspapers but when fact and fiction collide, the truth will always comes out on top.
