what was number 5 REALLY worth ?

Wednesday April 7, 2010 

Well, as much as I have tried to support him and defend him to the national public that just doesnt understand sports in Philadelphia, McNabb is officially a goner.  The debate will rage for years to come over whether the Eagles got a fair shake in this deal.  Bottom line is that team management had decided on going a different way quite some time ago, and this was the best deal they could finalize.

I am not entirely sure of the wisdom behind trading Don to a NFC East competitor.  The Eagles have made their team a little weaker and the Redskins a little stronger.

Let’s look at the numbers behind those broad shoulders in his tenure here at Philly.

In his career, he played 148 games, with a QB rating of 86.5. 

He was 2801 for 4746 passing (59.0%) for 32,873 yards, 216 touchdowns and 100 interceptions.

In addition, he rushed 573 times for 3249 yards for a 5.7 average and 28 touchdowns scored. 

He also lost the ball 44 times for a total of 144 giveaways in 148 games played in the regular season.    

In games started he ranks #1 with Jaworski at #2 with 142 starts.

In yards he ranks #1 with Jaworski at #2 with 26,963 and Cunningham  #3 with 22,877.  

In touchdowns he ranks #1 with Jaworksi #2 with 175 and Cunningham #3 with 150.

In passer rating he ranks #1 with Brister #2 at 85.8 and Cunningham #3 at 78.7

In interception % he ranks #2 with Brister at 1.6 to his 1.9.  

In completion percentage he ranks #1 at 59.0% with Detmer at 57.7%

In rushing touchdowns for a quarterback he ranks #1.

In rushing yards for a quarterback he ranks #1.

In attempts, completions, yards gained from scrimmage, total wins, post season starts, post season wins, overall win loss percentage,  red zone offense, comeback wins, 4th quarter touchdown drives, average yards per rush and kicking average McNabb is also #1.

Too bad the Eagles couldn’t win a superbowl ring with him. 

I think his record speaks for itself, it was not his performance that prevented them from doing so.  It was the overall team composite during his tenure here.  The Eagles have had some great teams through the years, normally centered around world class defensive players.  McNabbs era here will be remembered for the team ability to score points in a hurry.   After trading or releasing Reggie, Clyde, Cunningham, BDawk and Westbrook, did any of us really think a great one like Don would be allowed to start and end his career here ?  Not !

Reggie went to Green Bay and took a 23rd ranked defense, made them #2, and got his.  Cunningham went to Minnesota and almost got his, but settled for a 16-1 record before losing in the chamionship game, still setting the record for team points scored (at that time)  Each player won the MVP and McNabb very well could go and get his and more in Washington.

If he does, I will be the first one cheering him on (not looking forward to the Redskins/Eagles matchups) just like I cheered for Reggie when the Packers took it all.  A Philadelphia athlete that supports this city and performs well here is still someone to cheer for once they move on.  Back in the day, a sports team may have remained essentially intact over the course of a period of dominance, and rooting for the team and it’s players were mutually exclsuive undertakings. 

Now, I have a favorite ex-Eagle on half the teams out there.  The good news behind that being that I can always find some one to root for, even though I would prefer to just sticking with rooting for the Eagles.  Now this year, I will be watching Kolb, rooting for him, and hoping trading away number 1 in 15 offensive categories is not too large a burden for this largely untested QB to overcome.

Just for fun, imagine this scenario.  The Eagles and Redskins are both in the mix this December.    The ’skins have to come to our house, in a playoff situation,  McNabb steps up to throw for 5 touchdowns and 400 yards as he narrowly defeats the Eagles in his triumphant return to Philadelphia.

Now, are you gonna respect him yet ??

Just asking !

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Filed Under By The Numbers

Comments

3 Responses to “what was number 5 REALLY worth ?”

  1. Silver and Green on April 7th, 2010 11:45 pm

    Can’t cheer for the Redskins, won’t do it. Last time I checked they are still in the NFC East, so as far as I’m concerned I hope they go 4-12 with their only wins coming from Dallas and NY.

    And don’t worry about McNabb coming back and having a huge game. The Eagles don’t fear McNabb. If they did they wouldn’t have traded him within the division.

  2. Ryan on April 8th, 2010 2:55 pm

    Nope. I couldnt wait to see Dawk back in Philly but i didnt root for him to win. McNabb era is over and ppl need to realize this. How much longer did they want to see ground balls thrown to the WRs and then watch the QB laugh about it.

  3. joseph birmingham on April 8th, 2010 11:33 pm

    Of course I wouldnt cheer for him if he plays the Eagles, but, if he beats us, I will have to give him the respect that accomplishment would warrant. the scenario was “just for fun” since the Eagles should win 11+ and the Skins should lose 11+, but stranger things have happened.

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