Altogether now, Philly fans:
We’re sorry, Donovan.
The national media is at it again. They think we’re being mean to our starting quarterback. They believe we don’t appreciate No. 5, and will rue the day if and when he leaves.
Jumping on the bandwagon now is Michael Strahan. Ironically, the former Giants star defensive end is a guy who used to bedevil McNabb in their twice-a-year confrontations.
Strahan now toils on TV. Don’t all former NFL stars and ex-coaches?
He’s puzzled by the way Philly fans treat the Birds’ starting quarterback. He’s not alone. It’s the same old refrain. You know it by rote now. They’re still fixating on the caravan that went to the NFL Draft 10 years ago and booed the selection of McNabb when we lusted for running back Ricky Williams. We’ve atoned for that one, but the national experts – and of course McNabb - have not forgotten.
And of course no discussion of Philly fans would be complete without an in-depth examination of our booing of Santa Claus. Nowhere is it usually mentioned that it was a lousy, rag-tag Kris Kringle who deserved to be booed.
Strahan and the other pundits puzzled by the McNabb treatment in Philly also never get around to mentioning the fan poll that was done to coincide with the team’s 75th anniversary. They were asked to pick their favorite at each position.
And the winning quarterback? Norm Van Brocklin, you know, that guy who actually won a title? Maybe Ron Jaworski, who heard the wrath of the fans cascade down on him from the 700 Level almost every Sunday? How about Randall Cunningham, dubbed the “Ultimate Weapon,” a man who single-handedly changed the way the QB position in the NFL was viewed?
How about none of the above. The winner is the same guy who will be behind center in the Meadowlands on Sunday. And it wasn’t even close. McNabb won in a runaway.
He’s our favorite Eagles quarterback of all time. But that’s just it. He’s the Eagles quarterback. That means, in this town, he’s under the microscope every Sunday. Hell, even every practice, starting at Lehigh in August.
There’s nothing new about that. McNabb has never received the kind of surly symphony that routinely rained down on Jaworski.
And one other thing. Last time I looked, Donovan made a cool $120 million. Maybe he could afford to buy some ear plugs.
Nothing has changed. We’ll cheer Donovan when he’s on, and we’ll ride his back when he’s off. And make no doubt, there are times when Donovan is off. Way off. When he sails throws over receivers’ heads. When he now opts to throw when valuable first downs he used to get with his legs are lying in front of him.
He’ll be the hero if the Eagles beat the Giants Sunday in the Meadowlands. But fans will be screaming at TVs all over the Delaware Valley the first time he short-hops a throw to a wide-open receiver just a few yards away.
That hasn’t changed. It’s always been that way. And it likely always will be.
Michael Strahan ought to talk to Ron Jaworski and Randall Cunningham. Or maybe old Giants such as Frank Gifford and Sam Huff.
In this town, the quarterback is the focus of the most knowledgeable, passionate fans in the country.
They are fans who have not celebrated a world championship since 1960. They joined in the Phillies celebration last fall, now they want a parade of their own.
If McNabb delivers one, he will be a hero in this town forever. But if he throws up all over the Meadowlands, as he did in a losing effort in that Super Bowl appearance in Jacksonville in 2004, he’s likely going to hear about it.
Nothing’s changed about that.
We’re sorry, Donovan.
The national media is at it again. They think we’re being mean to our starting quarterback. They believe we don’t appreciate No. 5, and will rue the day if and when he leaves.
Jumping on the bandwagon now is Michael Strahan. Ironically, the former Giants star defensive end is a guy who used to bedevil McNabb in their twice-a-year confrontations.
Strahan now toils on TV. Don’t all former NFL stars and ex-coaches?
He’s puzzled by the way Philly fans treat the Birds’ starting quarterback. He’s not alone. It’s the same old refrain. You know it by rote now. They’re still fixating on the caravan that went to the NFL Draft 10 years ago and booed the selection of McNabb when we lusted for running back Ricky Williams. We’ve atoned for that one, but the national experts – and of course McNabb - have not forgotten.
And of course no discussion of Philly fans would be complete without an in-depth examination of our booing of Santa Claus. Nowhere is it usually mentioned that it was a lousy, rag-tag Kris Kringle who deserved to be booed.
Strahan and the other pundits puzzled by the McNabb treatment in Philly also never get around to mentioning the fan poll that was done to coincide with the team’s 75th anniversary. They were asked to pick their favorite at each position.
And the winning quarterback? Norm Van Brocklin, you know, that guy who actually won a title? Maybe Ron Jaworski, who heard the wrath of the fans cascade down on him from the 700 Level almost every Sunday? How about Randall Cunningham, dubbed the “Ultimate Weapon,” a man who single-handedly changed the way the QB position in the NFL was viewed?
How about none of the above. The winner is the same guy who will be behind center in the Meadowlands on Sunday. And it wasn’t even close. McNabb won in a runaway.
He’s our favorite Eagles quarterback of all time. But that’s just it. He’s the Eagles quarterback. That means, in this town, he’s under the microscope every Sunday. Hell, even every practice, starting at Lehigh in August.
There’s nothing new about that. McNabb has never received the kind of surly symphony that routinely rained down on Jaworski.
And one other thing. Last time I looked, Donovan made a cool $120 million. Maybe he could afford to buy some ear plugs.
Nothing has changed. We’ll cheer Donovan when he’s on, and we’ll ride his back when he’s off. And make no doubt, there are times when Donovan is off. Way off. When he sails throws over receivers’ heads. When he now opts to throw when valuable first downs he used to get with his legs are lying in front of him.
He’ll be the hero if the Eagles beat the Giants Sunday in the Meadowlands. But fans will be screaming at TVs all over the Delaware Valley the first time he short-hops a throw to a wide-open receiver just a few yards away.
That hasn’t changed. It’s always been that way. And it likely always will be.
Michael Strahan ought to talk to Ron Jaworski and Randall Cunningham. Or maybe old Giants such as Frank Gifford and Sam Huff.
In this town, the quarterback is the focus of the most knowledgeable, passionate fans in the country.
They are fans who have not celebrated a world championship since 1960. They joined in the Phillies celebration last fall, now they want a parade of their own.
If McNabb delivers one, he will be a hero in this town forever. But if he throws up all over the Meadowlands, as he did in a losing effort in that Super Bowl appearance in Jacksonville in 2004, he’s likely going to hear about it.
Nothing’s changed about that.
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