| Andrew Perna. 27th December, 2007 - 8:28 pm
 The city of Philadelphia often plays second fiddle to its Northeastern counterparts like New York and Boston in terms of notoriety, headlines and media attention. But the `City of Brotherly Love' is one of the toughest environments to play professional sports in - just ask Charles Barkley, Allen Iverson, Eric Lindros and most-recently, Donovan McNabb.
McNabb has seemingly had one foot out the door in Philadelphia for a majority of the 2007 season. Philadelphians have grown tired of the constant injury woes that have followed him throughout his nine seasons as the Eagles' quarterback.
Even this season with McNabb sitting out two games, Philly fans have called for A.J. Feeley and/or rookie Kevin Kolb to step in as Andy Reid's number one option at QB. What the fans have failed to realize is that Philadelphia probably would have won both of the games McNabb sat out, against New England and Seattle, had Feeley not thrown a combined seven interceptions in two losses.
If you're going to knock McNabb's game, interceptions aren't going to be your strongest argument. He's never thrown more than thirteen picks in a season, and his lowest touchdown-to-interception rate came in 1999, his rookie season when he threw eight scores opposite seven picks.
He has always had a knack for putting the ball where only his receiver can catch it, allowing him to post career numbers of 170 touchdowns and just 78 interceptions.
That average, 2.2 touchdowns per interception, is higher than the career rate of more-heralded passers like Peyton Manning (2 TDs per INT), Drew Brees (1.6), Brett Favre (1.5) and even rising star Tony Romo (1.8).
In fact, before his incredible 2007 run, Tom Brady's career average was a mere 1.9 touchdowns per pick, substantially lower than McNabb's mark.
Critics might interject at this point, citing the importance of wins and losses rather than personal statistics. But McNabb has his bases covered there, as well.
There are only two active starting quarterbacks that have higher career winning percentages than Philadelphia's new-favorite punching bag.
Highest Active QB Winning Percentages
Tom Brady (85-24) 0.780 %
Peyton Manning (104-54) 0.658 %
Donovan McNabb (72-39) 0.649 %
Brett Favre (159-93) 0.631 %
He doesn't just win regular season games either. McNabb has led Philadelphia to twelve postseason battles which included four-straight NFC title game appearances (2001-04) and a battle against the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX.
Eagles' President Joe Banner has given both Reid and McNabb votes of confidence heading into the offseason which will begin early in Philadelphia for just the third time in McNabb's nine year tenure.
"I can't envision a situation in which (Donovan McNabb) is not our quarterback next year. I believe there is a very, very sizable silent majority who realize how lucky we have been to have Donovan McNabb. I mean, we are talking about a quarterback who went to four straight (NFC) championship games. There are only four quarterbacks in the history of the league that have done that,” Banner said earlier this month.
Philadelphia fans have always learned the hard way `that you don't know what you've got 'till it's gone' (see Barkley and Iverson). Hopefully they'll hear what Banner is saying and realize just how lucky they are to have No. 5 leading their beloved Eagles.
It's not always sunny in Philadelphia, and without McNabb behind center, it would have been even gloomier over the last nine seasons.
Why doesn't Donovan McNabb get the credit he deserves?: Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com |
