This is going to be another challenging year for Donovan McNabb and it starts with the game this week against the Panthers. I think the Birds offense must have a big day to win and that’s going to start with McNabb.
He’s got to take advantage of the best group of weapons he’s ever played with next to the 2004 squad. He should be able to be consistent with this group because he’ll have a fullback, tight end and Brian Westbrook to dump the ball off to if he starts misfiring downfield.
We all know those times will come, so what he needs to do is acknowledge them and make the easy throw short when he has his occasional “can’t throw the ball in the ocean moments”.
This is the key to McNabb because he’s a streaky quarterback and managing the struggling times are the key to his success. He needs to manage them well this year because if he doesn’t he’s going to hear a lot of talk about Michael Vick.
In fact he’s going to hear about Vick anyway, but his job is managing himself on the field and when he’s interviewed. It would also be good if he kept his focus on the football because that’s really all that matters.
He’s still the guy who has the responsibility of carrying the Eagles offense. Some people try to say the main guy is Westbrook but we know that’s not true because of what happened last year in the NFC Championship game.
McNabb had a big day but the real Westbrook didn’t show up, so what did the critics do, they blamed McNabb for the lost and gave BWest a free pass.
If Westbrook had carried the offense and McNabb failed to show up, all you would have heard was how number five failed to show. When people hold you responsible, it’s a backwards way of giving you your respect whether they want to admit it or not.
The key this week and throughout the season will be taking what defenses give him and choosing wisely the times when he goes for the big plays.
He doesn’t need to take but so many chances because he’ll always have guys like Leonard Weaver, Brent Celek, Jason Avant and Westbrook to dump the ball off to when nobody’s open downfield.
He’s got to think 2004. There will be somebody open most of the time, so don’t force anything.
When it comes to the media, don’t get on the defensive and start defending yourself, it doesn’t come off well even if you’re right. Know that every other question could be about Vick but realize that all that matters is what you do between the lines.
Still I don’t think I’ll ever understand why you lobbied to bring Vick here. Yes, you did him a big favor. Yes, you helped him get back into the league and yes he may help this team a time or two, but don’t be crying when McNabb vs. Vick is all anyone is talking about.
The only way to keep the focus off of that is to have a year like you had in 2004. Get DeSean Jackson going as early as you can in each game. Spread the ball out to Kevin Curtis and the rest of your receivers.
As for the red zone, oh I forgot you’re not going to be on the field for a lot of those, don’t worry about those, I’ll leave some instructions for Vick.
