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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[Morose Musician]

I think we Philadelphians like McNabb so much, despite his inconsistent performance on the field, because he is a fundamentally decent young man who sets a good example for our kids.

The superstar of our basketball team, on the other hand, is a spoiled-brat thug and on-court prima donna who mistreats his wife and hangs out late at night with people who always seem to be firing guns.

Given the choice we have of role models for our children, is it any wonder that we virtually pray for Donavan to achieve fully his athletic potential?

It's not a racial thing that causes me to want our quarterback to succeed. I just prefer to see my middle school students wearing "McNabb" rather than "Iverson" on their backs.

[MMcC]

Interesting that ESPN analyst Bryan Cox still has a job. Appearing on FOX's Best Damn Sports Show Period, Cox took Atlanta LB Keith Brooking to the woodshed. "Sucks," is how Cox described the two-time Pro Bowler, adding that Brooking was the latest great white hype. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/duane_cross/news/2003/07/02/in_the_news/

[hoot2]

"Bernie Testeverde

Didn't he play for the same college as Vinnie Kosar? "

yeah....you're right; they did go to different schools together!

[Akira]

McNabb is better than Dilfer, and the Ravens D was better than Philly's the past 2 years. I'm not sure about Brad Johnson, but again the Bucs D was/is better than Philly's ever was. Two years ago he definitely deserved a pro Bowl invite, I'm not so sure about last year. Popularity has something to do with who goes to the Pro Bowl. Also, many players decline to go for one reason or another, so you then go to the next guy...the next thing you know you've got the 5th or 6th best QB there, but he's still recorded as a Pro Bowler for the rest of his life. So it's deceiving.

As far as black QBs go, I'd take McNair over McNabb any day of the week.

I've been bugged by all the wrath directed at McNabb this week. He's a good guy. All Rush said about him personally was that he was overrated, and even in today's double-standard PC world that is not enough to get somebody fired. It was his comment on the media and ESPN's spinlessness that did him in.

[1Old Pro]

YOU ARE SOOOO RIGHT !

After hearing McNabb's stats I had to laugh out loud. He turned in a lousy performance and the Eagles were lucky to beat the Redskins.

As far as ESPN Game Day, those 4 little sissies really felt like big men laying into Limbaugh when he wasn't there to defend himself. The whole point of the "challenge" was to do it with him there. My thoughts, These guys are too stupid, both the two white guys and the two black guys, to engage in real time debate. They need a week to figure out what their position is. I'm embarrassed for them, especially what's his name, Tom Jackson? Now the show consists of 4 little girlie man sissies.

And to top it off, I heard that wimpy Chris Collingsworth say after the game, well McNabb sure did prove Limbaugh wrong. WTF was he thinking? He sure wasn't watching the same game as I did.

[1Old Pro]

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)

Exactly right! Collingsworth was peeing in his diaper he was lavishing so much praise on a crappy game from McNabb.

[litany_of_lies]

As far as ESPN Game Day, those 4 little sissies really felt like big men laying into Limbaugh when he wasn't there to defend himself.

I didn't see Game Day, but I've seen and heard enough about it to know. Everybody was falling all over themselves with mea culpas, and "I should have said somethings." Drudge even called them "girls" on the air last night. Drudge also said "history won't remember any of you, but it sure will remember Limbaugh."

On NFL Primetime (Berman and Jackson, replay seen at 1AM), their Eagles-Skins highlights came near the end of the program. The FIRST thing they showed was the 54-yard McNabb run that was called back on a penalty (no context, just a chance to show the only time he looked good all day). They had almost no comment after the highlights, as if they would be embarrassed if they had to comment on McNabb's "performance."

I didn't realize how much PC has infected sports coverage. Now I do.

[rockinonritalin]

I wasn't in the room to hear it but someone told me that Collingsworth reluctantly commented in the 3rd quarter something like: "Well, I know McNabb has had a tough week and all but I think I should say that he really isn't having a very good game."

Anyone else hear this?

[rockinonritalin]

I live in Syracuse and think very highly of McNabb as a player and a person. I know it may have been a lot to ask but I was hoping that he would stand up and say that Rush's comments were not racist and people should relax. However, I think he was more offended about being called out as an overrated football player. Unfortunately, he used the race element of Rush's comments as a shield against the valid criticism of his performance on the field. Again, I know it may have been a lot to ask with all of the media attention but I didn't like to see McNabb play the victim.

[1Old Pro]

I didn't realize how much PC has infected sports coverage. Now I do.

Me neither, now that RUSH had the balls to make it known.

[1Old Pro]

Anyone else hear this?

Nope, I just heard him say that his play today (that was pathetic) vindicated McNabb???!!

[wita]

This old revelation ought to scare the u-no-wat out of anyone with a brain. When the media shows its distorted face on something so innocuous as a football player and a team, what the H E double Q are they willing to do with the truth in things that just might really matter?

[rockinonritalin]

I also heard 2 guys on ESPN radio talking yesterday evening about the McNabb siutation. I started listeing in the middle of their conversation. At the end, one of the guys said that he needed to stop talking about it because, unlike Rush, he does not do this (ESPN radio commentator) as a hobby and doesn't have a fortune and another well paying job to fall back upon. He was clearly insinuating that he was not going to express his real opinion because he was worried about getting fired!

[smith288]

Check out my stats comparison
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/996025/posts?page=9#9

[Historicus]

Actually, the Eagles have no holdouts. I watched the game and McNabb is an average QB at best. The only problem with their offense is an average recieving corps. the offensive line is good. McNabb is not an acurate passer, but hey what do you want for 100 milion!

[Historicus]

Actually, the Eagles have no holdouts. I watched the game and McNabb is an average QB at best. The only problem with their offense is an average recieving corps. the offensive line is good. McNabb is not an acurate passer, but hey what do you want for 100 milion!

[Redleg Duke]

Ohhhh! You nasty racist, you!

Swoooooon!

[Dixiekraut]

Eagles 27...Redskins 25

Like Tom Dashole..."I'm deeply saddened."

[Richard Kimball]

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

Yeah, but "Rush insults media" wouldn't create an hysterical outpouring like "Limbaugh makes racist remarks" does.

[montag813]

Fox Sports PROVED Rush's assertions immediately after the game proclaiming Donovan the BEST QB ever and a tribute to blackism.

The most sickening thing was, IMMEDIATELY after the conversion-miss, loudmouth Chris Collingsworth bashing Limbaugh and praising McNabb while quoting his colleague James Brown who apparently said "We have come so far, why would we ever want to go back"?

McNabb was a total non-factor in this game. EXACTLY as Limbaugh said, the Philly DEFENSE carried this team. It is amazing that despite more than a dozen false-start penalties, Washington still came within 10 feet of sending it into an overtime they were sure to have won.

Philly will not only not repeat but will not even make the playoffs this year. McNabb will never lead his team to another NFC game or Super Bowl.