Turkey Tosser

Donovan McNabb’s talent was first on display for the Syracuse Orangemen in 1995. With the aid of future Pro Bowl Colts’ wide receiver, Marvin Harrison, McNabb helped build a scintillating Syracuse football program. As a freshman under head coach, Paul Pasqualoni, Donovan was the Big East Rookie of the year. That year, the Orangemen vanquished Clemson n the Gator Bowl. Harrison’s departure to the NFL did not slow the swift McNabb’s progress. He tossed rockets and racked up big numbers as a sophomore. The Big East Player of the year in 1996 was solidifying the position of a standout star.
I remember the Syracuse team back then and seeing Donovan’s multi-faceted mobility as quarterback. The Orangemen were beaten by a running-hungry Miami team when they were both still considered Big East foes. McNabb would rally the following season during his jump-out junior year. ‘Cuse rolled off 8 straight wins at one point and were set to clash with Miami again for the conference crown. This time, McNabb took the Hurricanes down 33-13 for the title. Donovan secured another Player of the year award in the Big East.
As a senior with Heisman hopes, Donovan and Syracuse failed to live up to preseason hype. Although the Orangemen claimed the conference for the second straight season, the Florida Gators shattered them in the Orange Bowl. Running back, Ricky Williams, prevailed as the Heisman Trophy winner to end the 1998 campaign.
I bring all this up today because it is Turkey Day. Every year, sportswriters and fans elect the Turkeys of the Year. Donovan McNabb has and always will be a special quarterback. I believe he is one of the best in the game at his position despite all the setbacks, injuries and insults he’s suffered through. The Philadelphia Eagles play the Arizona Cardinals in tonight’s three game Turkey Day football finale. I cannot conceive of a more appropriate moniker for McNabb than this year’s “turkey”.
Two weeks ago, McNabb showed his football ignorance as he gabbed to the media during a post-game press conference. In a statement made after his Eagles tied the Bengals, Donovan declared he never knew NFL games could end without a victor. McNabb made it clear the rule was unknown to him. Before he was drafted by the Eagles out of college, scouts picked McNabb apart for his technical knowledge of the game. Most Philly fans couldn’t wait to see Ricky Williams sport Eagles green. They were much surprised when the Eagles landed McNabb instead. Donovan proved the scouts wrong and proved to be a dangerous outside pocket passer in his first few season. He also showed complete composure and leadership qualities, helping turn the Eagles into winged winners. Today it seems the only wings Donovan is wearing are turkey ones.
Head coach, Andy Reid, had the audacity to bench his star player in last week’s dismal and ugly loss. Philadelphia is now in the NFC East basement and the team looks lost. They need a win tonight to salvage their playoff hopes. I still believe McNabb is Reid’s best choice for quarterback. It’s clear the skies in Philly are cloudy and the quarterback is the laughing-stock of the league on this Thanksgiving. Too much attention is being paid to him though. There are others to blame for the Eagles; misfortunes this season. Number five should be playing better, yes. He has fumbled and turned the ball over more often than in past years. And, his bird brain comments two weeks ago are comical. McNabb should have been grateful and gleeful on Tuesday when he celebrated his birthday. Instead, he was probably preparing for a pressure-filled Thanksgiving performance. The situation reminds me a bit of when the Cowboys had Drew Bledsoe controlling plays. Fans were calling for anyone but Drew and basically drove him out of Dallas with their mockery. I don’t know exactly what direction the Eagles are going, but if they want to be respectable again, McNabb has to be accepted by the fans. He has to be the playmaker he was for Syracuse and once was as an elite Eagle.

Parting points: I rarely catch the New Jersey Nets play but last night I did. Keon Dooley was a beast as the Nets won for the first time in Sacramento since ’97.