Posted on 10/13/2003 8:27:34 PM PDT by ambrose
| McNabb remains starter despite injury, ineffectiveness |
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By DAN GELSTON, AP Sports Writer October 13, 2003
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Andy Reid is peppered with questions about whether it's time to bench an injured and ineffective Donovan McNabb. The only topic Reid wants to put to rest is McNabb's status as the starting quarterback. ``There is nobody who wants to win more than Donovan McNabb. I don't worry about that at all,'' Reid said Monday. ``He's going to keep firing and he's going to be fine.''
That's been the standard line all season about McNabb. After two straight wins temporarily halted the criticism of an 0-2 start, the Eagles relapsed in Sunday's loss at Dallas, keeping McNabb the focal point of one of the worst offenses in the league. There was some questionable play-calling and more players were injured, but of most concern for Philadelphia (2-3) are McNabb's ugly statistics. His production hasn't been helped by the right thumb he sprained in the Sept. 29 victory over Buffalo. McNabb played against the Cowboys with a wrapping around his thumb that extended to his wrist. McNabb struggled against Dallas, often overthrowing his targets. He finished 11-for-26 for 126 yards, his lowest total in a season where he hasn't thrown for more than 186. ``He's working through the pain of that and should be fine,'' Reid said. ``It's not an injury he can't play with.'' Maybe it isn't. McNabb has completed only 49.1 percent of his passes for 790 yards with two touchdowns and five interceptions. His 54.2 rating is the lowest of any starting quarterback and the Eagles are 29th in passing. McNabb wasn't available Monday, but said after the Cowboys game the injury affected his grip and his follow through when he passed. Reid minimized McNabb's injury and its effect on his production. ``I don't think it's Donovan. All the focus comes back to Donovan,'' Reid said. ``I'm a part of it, he's a part of it and that offense is a part of it.'' The offense received a slight boost Sunday when running backs Correll Buckhalter, Brian Westbrook and Duce Staley had perhaps their best game of the season -- all three scored touchdowns. With no consistent downfield playmakers, the Eagles are facing more man coverage and are repeatedly blitzed. The Cowboys sacked McNabb three times and the defensive schemes made finding open receivers even harder. ``I need to do a better job of putting those guys in better position to be successful,'' Reid said of his receivers. ``I will take the brunt of that.'' The normally brief Reid was even more terse at his weekly news conference when it came to questions about repairing the offense. He was more wordy when it came to McNabb, protecting his franchise QB better than the offensive line. Reid has yet to publicly say anything is wrong with McNabb or that his starting spot is in jeopardy. ``I need to do a better job coaching. We'll get this thing rolling back in the right direction,'' Reid said. The schedule gives them hope. The Eagles play their next three games against the Giants, Jets and Atlanta. All three have losing records. ``We've won a lot of football games with this group,'' Reid said. ``We'llcontinue to do that.''
Updated on Monday, Oct 13, 2003 5:35 pm EDT Email to a Friend | View Popular
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I don't follow Balmer. Is he really better or is that just PC?
I"m a little obtuse tonight. What does this mean?
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