[F16Fighter]

"Pure scramblers, no. But Staubach, Stabler, and Elway were great QB's who also happened to be great scramblers."

True -- occassionally those guys were capable of ad libbing, while they knew ultimately the priority roles of playing QB and winning meant:

1) reading defense alignments

2)adapting and adjusting to said defensive alignments

3) passing with efficiency

4) communicating with your own receivers

5) knowing when hold 'em and when to fold 'em. (something Favre never quite learned himself)

Ad libbing, scrambling, and "making things happen" off of broken plays is rarely the rule against well-prepared defenses this deep into the playoffs -- as McNabb has now proven three straight years.

[NittanyLion]

Ad libbing, scrambling, and "making things happen" off of broken plays is rarely the rule against well-prepared defenses this deep into the playoffs -- as McNabb has now proven three straight years.

That has an awful lot to do with these losses. I'd say an additional factor is the lack of physical receivers on the Eagles' team - good defenses in the playoffs are jamming them at the line, and these receivers can't get into their normal route as a result.

[Mr. Mojo]

Yep, scrambling ability alone won't get you any jewelry (without the necessary QB attributes you listed above). ....and McNabb just doesn't have the goods.

(Btw, I forgot Montana and Steve Young on my list. .....and Hostettler could scramble a little too. But the vast majority of Super Bowl-winning QB's were pocket passers).

[rintense]

McNabb needs to get into a system (or team) that can truly develop his arm. I don't think Philly is it. He has so much more to learn about being a great passer, and I don't think Andy Reid is the guy to teach him. BTW, who is the QB coach in Philly? If he truly has potential, then that potential needs to be developed. But if Philly keeps relying on his scrambling skills, they will never make it to the SB.