McNabb Worse than Mediocre as Eagles Survive Skins 27-25

espn.com ^ | Oct. 5, 2003 | ESPN.com

[litany_of_lies]

Eagles 27, Skins 25

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The Philadelphia Eagles wouldn't let the Washington Redskins pull out another close victory.

Patrick Ramsey overthrew Laveranues Coles on a 2-point conversion with 13 seconds left, and the Eagles beat the Redskins 27-25 on Sunday.

Ramsey rallied Washington from an 11-point deficit in the final 3:10, connecting with Darnerien McCants on a 32-yard touchdown pass in the final seconds.

But under pressure from Brandon Whiting, Ramsey hurried his throw to Coles in the corner of the end zone and the ball sailed over Coles' head.

After John Hall's fourth field goal, a 53-yarder, cut it to 27-19, the Redskins' Bryan Johnson recovered an onside kick at Washington's 43 with 1:13 left. Ramsey then drove the Redskins 57 yards in five plays.

Defensive end N.D. Kalu returned an interception 15 yards for a go-ahead TD and Brian Westbrook had a 19-yard TD run for the Eagles.

The Eagles (2-2) won for the first time at Lincoln Financial Field after opening the season with consecutive losses at their new stadium.

Washington (3-2) fell to 1-7 against NFC East teams under Steve Spurrier. All the Redskins' games have been decided by three points or less.

Playing without three Pro Bowl players in their secondary, the Eagles held Coles and Rod Gardner to just five catches combined in the first 57 minutes. Free safety Brian Dawkins (foot) and cornerback Bobby Taylor (foot) missed their third straight games. And cornerback Troy Vincent sat out with a hamstring injury.

Donovan McNabb completed 16 of 30 passes for 157 yards and his first TD of the season. He was intercepted twice. Ramsey finished 25-of-50 for 271 yards, one TD, two interceptions and one TD rushing.

This was McNabb's first game since conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh made comments about him that ignited a weeklong firestorm. Limbaugh said on last week's ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown" that McNabb was overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed.

McNabb said he did not mind criticism of his performance but was upset that Limbaugh made race an issue. The remarks forced Limbaugh to resign from the show.

Kalu, a former Redskin, broke a 13-all tie with his first career interception and TD late in the third quarter.

On a second-and-9, Ramsey's arm was hit by Eagles tackle Darwin Walker as he threw and the ball sailed up in the air. Kalu caught it at the 15, eluded an offensive lineman and rumbled untouched into the end zone.

Westbrook then put Eagles ahead by 11 with his TD run with 3:10 left. The Eagles drove 70 yards, holding the ball for 5:39. McNabb ran 6 yards on third-and-5 to keep the drive alive.

McNabb connected with fullback Jon Ritchie on a 4-yard TD pass for a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter. Roderick Hood intercepted a pass from Ramsey and returned it to Washington's 18, setting up the score.

Ramsey's 1-yard TD run made it 10-7 with 5:56 left in the first half. Former Eagle Jeremiah Trotter set up the score, intercepting McNabb and returning it 21 yards to the 1. On third down, Ramsey leaped over the top for the TD.

David Akers' 36-yard field goal late in the first half gave the Eagles a 13-7 lead. Akers gave the Eagles a 3-0 lead on a 52-yard FG in the first quarter.

Hall's 48-yard FG late in the first half cut Philadelphia's lead to 13-10. Hall hit a 45-yarder midway through the third to tie it at 13. His 37-yarder cut it to 20-16 in the fourth.

McNabb had just 19 yards rushing. He scrambled 54 yards to Washington's 10 on the Eagles' first possession, but a holding penalty on tight end Chad Lewis negated the play.

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[litany_of_lies]

This game summary proves Rush's point. What a (excuse the expression) whitewash.

McNabb was McMediocre and his team barely survived. 16-30 for 150-plus years and 2 INTs is actually worse than mediocre. OK, he had a 54-yard run called back, but his passing was weak.

The comments about Limbaugh are as usual, wrong. He wasn't forced to resign by his remarks. He was forced to resign by the hysterical REACTION to his remarks, and the clear failure of his broadcasting cast to take the heat and stand up for him.

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[litany_of_lies]

BTW the headline is mine. At espn.com, it's "Philadelphia 27, Washington 25." If Admin Moderator wants to change it, go right ahead.

[litany_of_lies]

Obviously I meant 150-plus yards, not years. Oops. The last week has felt like 150 years, between Rush, Arnold, et al.

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

Liberal spin: McNabb was so upset about that poor little boy who wondered if it was OK to be a black QB, he couldn't concentrate on the game for all the tears streaming from his eyes.

[lawdude]

Fox Sports PROVED Rush's assertions immediately after the game proclaiming Donovan the BEST QB ever and a tribute to blackism. (OK, I embellish a mite)

They did say to the effect it was his win. didn't see the game but understand that the win was due to every factor except his ability! Am I right?

[TheExploited]

I have on my Fantasy Team. The guy has single handedly ruined my season. I am playing Jon Kitna next week over Donavan the Dud.

[KansasCanadian]

Emmett Smith was the one crying today--six carries against the Cowboys and -1 yards

[Defendingliberty]

It wouldn't matter if he had a record setting game or a poor one...Rush's comments were pointed at the media. McNabb's future on field play (good or bad) will not vindicate Rush. "It's the media Stupid" is my new battle cry...On a related note...Go look at a magizine rack, the media has it in for our troops. I'm sorry to say.

[lavrenti]

Nah, the Eagles defense as usual, won the game.

I like McNabb, though. This offense is badly put together. I think Rush was wrong, and wasn't really paying attention to the serious problems the Eagles offense has faced since preseason, with all the hold-outs.

McNabb is good, showed great potential and character in the course of his college and professional career. He just plays for a mediocre offensive team, poorly coached.

Rush stepped in it. I shed no tears.

A quarterback is as good as his coaching and support.

I think of Phil Simms, Bernie Testeverde and now Quincy Carter.

What were they like before Parcells?

[PhiKapMom]

McNabe was less than average if you ask me and they lost because the Redskins were worse! The Redskin quarterback kept missing open receivers!

[litany_of_lies]

I did not see the game.

I do know from reviewing available info that:
- the Eagles scored 20 offensive points, because 7 came from an INT return for a touchdown.
- One Eagles "drive" started at the Washington 18 because of a Philly INT of Ramsey.
- The remaining Eagles TD was a 70-yard, 11-play drive.
- One of Philly's FGs was a 52-yarder.
- One of McNabb's 2 INTs was returned to the 1 yard line, followed by a Skin TD.

The defense saved Donovan McNabb's bacon, as usual. The writers want to reserve a spot for him in Canton.

[cwb]

My local Orlando paper had the Rush controversy as a front-page story on Friday and a 2nd page sports-section story on Saturday. What I don't understand (I do) is why there is so much controversy over this issue since supposedly everyone expected this. If this was expected, why are we going on over a week, now? On the other hand, when these stories surface from the unexpected (democrats and libs), they are buried. I guess it's the fault of that right-wing media again.

[lawdude]

"I like McNabb, though. This offense is badly put together. "

You are still not getting the picture. Listen to the MEDIA. They are the ones lauding MCNabb. They have him on a pedestal about 10 feet higher than warranted. No one, especially Rush has said McN is a bad QB. Merely that he is given more credit than warranted by the MEDIA.

Fox proved it after the game.

[litany_of_lies]

As a downtrodden Bengals fan of many years, I can only say to your idea of replacing Donovan McNabb with Kitna: Don't overreact.

[sinkspur]

What were they like before Parcells?

People who say coaching doesn't matter are crazy!

Parcells took the same team that Dave Campo and Bruce Coslet messed up and has them believing in themselves.

The Cardinals aren't very good, but the Dallas defense simply dominated them today, and knocked Emmitt out of the game.

Parcells has Dallas talking about a .500 season, something unimagineable before he came aboard.

[IslandTrash]

I expected McNabb to really break out this week. Guys have a habit of responding well to a week worth of negative news. Not McNabb though. I guess he wanted his verbal whining to take precedence over his on-field play.

[litany_of_lies]

t wouldn't matter if he had a record setting game or a poor one...Rush's comments were pointed at the media.

Point well taken. Even a great day wouldn't change the fact that McNabb has been treated with kid gloves since Day 1.

And it's a pattern. Kordell Stewart was given a pass for many years before Pittsburgh gave up on him.

As to your take on the media and our troops, I honestly can't stand to have a TV or radio on during the news, it's so pititful. We need to re-embed a bunch of reporters. It's so obvious that they want us to fail that it makes me sick.

[HiJinx]

Limbaugh said on last week's ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown" that McNabb was overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed.

Look carefully. In what respect was the race card played? (I didn't tumble to this until the sports columnist in my Sunday paper defended Rush.)

Rush called the Media racist. He didn't say McNabb's talent had anything to do with his race. He said the Media was looking at color and trying to change the outcome based on that factor.

And that's why they're trying to tear him apart.

They say the truth hurts.

[RightWinger]

He was forced to resign by the hysterical REACTION to his remarks

They CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!