JC on McNabb's Comments

[Fios]

"For 90 percent of the game you have the ball in your hands, and everyone's watching you and all the mistakes that you make. Since you are in the spotlight, everything gets noticed. It's a tough position to play, but at the same time you have to have a short memory. I don't look at it as a color issue; I look at it as all of us in a brotherhood together."

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/dcsports ... .html#more

[BnGhog]

I think JC should run for President!

[Irn-Bru]

To be fair to McNabb. . .and I'm a bit critical of his comments. . .the reporter was specifically asking him about it. Given how much extra pressure he has faced over the years, for various reasons, I can understand McNabb's response in that situation.

I also like Campbell's patented cliche, safe answer. Any press conference that I've seen with Campbell or Landry – both of whom don't really say anything – has been music to my ears. And I can't argue with Sean Taylor's approach, either.

[BernieSki]

I have never even thought that being a black QB for the Redskins was even a topic. I just want a good QB for the Redskins to here for a long time. I also feel that the fans in Philly probably feel the same way. Donovan is very good QB when there is no pressure on his team to win, like in the Super Bowl he was so nervous he was throwing up on the field. Donovan is just looking for excuses.

[PulpExposure]

I have never even thought that being a black QB for the Redskins was even a topic. I just want a good QB for the Redskins to here for a long time. I also feel that the fans in Philly probably feel the same way. Donovan is very good QB when there is no pressure on his team to win, like in the Super Bowl he was so nervous he was throwing up on the field. Donovan is just looking for excuses.

Actually, I think Donovan feels the way he does because of the Eagles fanbase. They're the most ungrateful, insane fan base in the NFL. I mean, I'm a die-hard skins fan, and we have some very rabid fans here. But if you lived in Philly for awhile, you'd realize that they're beyond rabid; they're flatly just insane there.

If you as the coach or QB don't win every single game by 40 points in Philly, you'll get attacked by the fans and media. Both professionally, and personally. It's freaking crazy.

I think Donovan just thinks that because he gets a lot of flack in Philly, it's because he's black. It's not. He gets a lot of flack in Philly because it's Philly.

[ComebackSkins]

^He had the Flu!!! why do people keep saying he was throwing up from being nervous. I agree that this was JC's "safe" answer, cuz I bet people would rip him if he said otherwise. I dont think cambell has the experience to say otherwise...at least in the pros he doesnt.

McNabb was being asked about his career and it just happens that real sports aired/will air this in the wake of their bad start.

[roybus14]

The black QB issue here has been an issue for some in the past. Many black folks feel that Doug Williams was treated bad after that Super Bowl victory. I asked one of the many black Dallas fans living in this area why they are Dallas fans and many pointed to that situation, the situation with Bobby Mitchell when the ownership changed and other things from the past as to why they are Dallas fans.

Me personally, as a black man, I think that there are still some perceptions but you have to look at things differently now because things have changed. Black QBs now are getting huge contracts and more opportunities. In some instances, I think that the athleticism that is normally associated with the black QB has even come back to hurt some of them. For instance, Byron Leftwich. He was cut but alot of teams wouldn't touch him because he does not have the ability to scramble and he has a wind up release.

McNabb's situation is unique because the Philly fans are brutal to everyone. Hell, they booed and threw snowballs at Santa Claus one year. I was recently driving to Philly on business and turned on WIP (610 AM) and their hosts and the fans calling in are brutal and will attack anyone, white or black. If you read or listen to everyone talking about this situation, they are all saying the same thing about the fans in Philly. That they are just brutal.....

Donovan is a little sensitive now and I think I would be too. After all, he did lead them to the NFC championship game four times, one Super Bowl, and the top of the NFC East for years with marginal talent on the offense. He basically has had Westbrook and T.O. (for that one year) and nothing else. Yes, his accuracy is questionable but it was never a big issue when they were winning. Now that they are losing, it's magnified but no one wants to talk about his ability to get them where they have gotten with just him and one or two other weapons on offense.

The bottom line is this. Donovan is entitled to his opinions or his feelings but at the same time, he will get all the blame because the "star" or the QB always has and always will.

[BnGhog]

I thought it was funny what Leftwich said.

"I'm just the slowest black Quarterback."

[VetSkinsFan]

These types of comments really get under my skin. If there could be a generation that stops labeling 'black and white,' then and only then can we get past this racial BS. McNabb isn't getting reamed because he's black, he's getting reamed because they went to the playoffs with a back up, cut the back up, and now McNabb's not producing. I'd weren't we calling for MB's head when he didn't produce after '05? Or is it different because MB's white? Society has taught us to have our predispositions, but it's up to everyone's CONSCIOUS effort to put those to the side and judge on the important details of the situation at hand. This isn't the 70s and 80s where this was more common, this is 07.
McNabb needs to quit whining and either perform his duties or gtfo of the way for his replacement. Is the drafting of a white QB a racially motivated move as well?

As for Byron Leftwich, if you can't scramble and you have a slow wind up/release, you had BETTER have a rocket arm and laser accuracy or you WON'T succeed in this league.

[HanburgerHelper]

It's hard to be a minority in any society period. That is the nature of things. There's no use in complaining about it though, you can only change it for yourself.

As for McNabb, I think he's feeling the illustrious part of his career coming to a close and the game vs. the Skins last week was a big indicator that his time is near. He is/was a great QB in the NFL. Next year or so when he leaves Philly, he'll probably catch on with someone else for a last hoorah, like Montana did in KC or Randall Cunningham in Minnesota.

As for this season, the Eagles ought to play someone whose physically 100% but I guess AJ Feeley is hurt and they don't want to throw Kolb to the Lions (no pun intended since they're playing Detroit this week). I would not play McNabb until he was ready but I think the Eagles have been trying to avoid the QB controversy scenario.

All of this is good for us. McNabb killed us over the years. I saw the first victory he had over the Skins at Vet Stadium in the Norv Turner era in 1998 I think it was. Duce Stahley ran wild in that one.

[skinsfan#33]

The black QB issue here has been an issue for some in the past. Many black folks feel that Doug Williams was treated bad after that Super Bowl victory. I asked one of the many black Dallas fans living in this area why they are Dallas fans and many pointed to that situation, the situation with Bobby Mitchell when the ownership changed and other things from the past as to why they are Dallas fans.

I feal Bobby Mitchell was screwed by the Skins and felt he should have been Beathard's replacement.

I'm going to say this and it isn't very politically correct, but Doug Williams is a cult figure around here because he is black!

Yes, I know the best 1/4 in NFL history has something to do with it, but the two aren't exclusive. If he had lost to Denver everyone one would remeber him as (if at all) as a broken down, has been that did very little with the team. If he was white he would be remebered as a broken down has been that played very well in one game on a great team.

When is the last time you saw a Rypien jersey in the stands. His time with the Skins was much more significant. No, he didn't help put up 5 TD in a 1/4 on Denver, but his performance in 1991 was so far superior to any perfomance by a Redskins QB since... well maybe Sammy Baughs time, atleast back to the days of Sonny. And the Bills were a MUCH BETTER TEAM than the Broncos! That 1991 team is a top 3 SB team of all time, I don't care what the "experts" say.

Williams wasn't treated poorly by the Skins! He was washed up, only Gibbs gave him a job and the team made him an icon. Yeah, that is some rough treatment!

There is still a racial devide in this country, sad to say, but black QBs must realize they have to take the bad with the good. Look how many endorsements Vick got and how about McNabb? You think they got those deals because they were SB winning QBs!

[1niksder]

I like what V Young had to say:

"I really feel like myself, black or white quarterbacks, we all go through something because that is the life of a quarterback,” … "You have to be able to handle all the pressure and you have to be able to handle the losses and you have to be able to handle the media saying this about you. If you can't handle it, then you have to get off that position and go play something else."

I guess it's different in the South
The Jags cut Leftwhich so Atlanta wouldn't be without a black QB, it was no big deal as they had four on the roster at the time.

If push comes to shove the drafted a white QB and made him a WR so they're covered

[roybus14]

These types of comments really get under my skin. If there could be a generation that stops labeling 'black and white,' then and only then can we get past this racial BS. McNabb isn't getting reamed because he's black, he's getting reamed because they went to the playoffs with a back up, cut the back up, and now McNabb's not producing. I'd weren't we calling for MB's head when he didn't produce after '05? Or is it different because MB's white? Society has taught us to have our predispositions, but it's up to everyone's CONSCIOUS effort to put those to the side and judge on the important details of the situation at hand. This isn't the 70s and 80s where this was more common, this is 07.
McNabb needs to quit whining and either perform his duties or gtfo of the way for his replacement. Is the drafting of a white QB a racially motivated move as well?

As for Byron Leftwich, if you can't scramble and you have a slow wind up/release, you had BETTER have a rocket arm and laser accuracy or you WON'T succeed in this league.

I'm not trying to turn this into a racial debate. And I agree that the labeling should stop but let's be realistic, race and racism is what it is and for every three people that wish it would stop, there are two or three that don't.

Do I believe that there are still some lingering effects of race in Football, yes but I also do believe that Football has made leaps and bounds as well. When I say Donovan is being sensitive and I would be too, I didn't make myself clear by stating that I would be sensitive because of what I have done as the QB, not the "black" QB, of that team. Four NFC Championship Games, One Super Bowl appearance, and the top of the NFC East for quite sometime. I'd be a little sensitive too if all of a sudden those same fans that were riding my jock when I did all of those things suddenly turned on me because we start out 0-2. Remember too, now, their defense has to do their job and stop people too now....

But the bottomline, like I said at the end of my post is that the "star" or the QB is going to get the most criticism. Is it right? No. Is it fair? Heck's naw.... But it goes with the territory...

[gilbertarenas]

McNabb probably is referring to the past as a high school quarterback and at Syaracuse. McNabb also had to deal with the criticism of Rush Limbaugh in 2003.

McNabb is getting the more blame now because his team is losing due to the inefficiency of the team's offense. The team has only scored one touchdown in the past two games. While the weapons on offense are not necessarily great, McNabb has had opportunities to make plays and has not converted.

The NFL is a what have you done for me lately kind of league. And McNabb's record as a starter the past three years is below .500. His biggest problem right now is his health. He is not as mobile and his ability to make accurate throws has decreased. Remember, it was Garcia who led the Eagles to a division title.

Probably the biggest reason McNabb is getting criticism is because the Redskins are underrated. Eagles fans think they just lost to a bad team, when in reality the Redskins could be playoff team when it's all said and done.

[ComebackSkins]

Probably the biggest reason McNabb is getting criticism is because the Redskins are underrated. Eagles fans think they just lost to a bad team, when in reality the Redskins could be playoff team when it's all said and done.

Agreed...Plus the philly fans are just ungrateful.

Mcnabb just needs decent recievers and to finish the healing process and he will be dominant again. (hopefully not against the skins).

[SKINFAN]

Yup it's Philly, McNabb shoulda known better. I was really searching hard to see if it was taken out of context but it really was said the way it came out, he meant what he said.