Look, I know that the McNabb of old is dead and gone, but it has to be tough to know that teams like the Texans and Bears would rather hitch their title chances to guys like T.J. Yates and Caleb Hanie than six-time Pro Bowler who lead his team to five conference championships and a Super Bowl in the not-so-distant past. In a career that started with him getting booed by morons on Draft Day then embroiled in controversy after controversy from Rush Limbaugh to T.O. to the arrival of Kevin Kolb, McNabb deserves one last chance to prove us all wrong. When we all read Brett Favre his last rights in 2008 after he blew out his arm with the Jets and "retired", Favre managed to come back and give it one last go before falling short in another example of Favre being Favre in the playoffs. Of course, Favre gave it yet another go the year after and that was tragic, but that's besides the point.
Now, I know what you're thinking. "Well, Donovan McNabb isn't Brett Favre". Well, no.....or is he? Both men had their eras of prominence: Favre in the mid-90's, McNabb in the early-2000's. Both men were booted from their longtime franchises in spectacular fashion: Favre in a trade in New York after Green Bay smartly opted for Aaron Rodgers, McNabb to Washington after the Eagles foolishly opted for Kolb. Both men have cannon arms that tend to misfire. Most importantly, both men felt they had something left to give when the world thought they didn't.
Here's another QB McNabb might find himself comparable to. A man who finds ways to win, despite all the criticism and naysayers that try to hold him down. A man who, early in his career, makes plays with his feet and runs with power. A man who also has a strong yet inaccurate arm. A man by the name of Tim Tebow. Of course, McNabb, even now at 35, is a better pure passer than Tebow and McNabb flourished in a more wide-open passing offense while Tebow wins games utilizing the second coming of the option, but the similarities are there. Like McNabb, winning isn't enough to sooth Tebow's many critics. Like McNabb, Tebow takes the high road while said critics takes pot shot after pot shot. Also, like McNabb, Tebow is going to the playoffs in his second season. Which brings me to my point....
If Tim Tebow, a guy who, in a passing league, set his season-high with 202 yards yesterday, can lead his team to the playoffs, why can't a semi-washed up McNabb do the same? Now, McNabb's latest critics will point to the last few seasons in Philly, Washington and Minnesota as signs of decline. Look, there's no question this isn't the old McNabb, it's just an old McNabb, but are you really going to tell me this version of McNabb isn't an upgrade over guys like Hanie and Yates?
First, let's look at the aftermath of Donovan's last three situations, post-McNabb. The Eagles are 4-8 in a season where many believed they were a lock for the Super Bowl. Last season, the man that was supposed to replace McNabb, Kevin Kolb, got knocked out in Week 1 and was eventually replaced by Mike Vick. Vick did his own re-writing of his final chapter by orchestrating one of the greatest career comebacks in recent memory.........which ended with him floundering down the stretch and losing in the first round, at home, to the eventual Super Bowl champion Packers. This year, after scoring a major payday, Vick is back to being Vick: injured, inaccurate and losing more than he's winning.
In Washington, McNabb was 5-8 as a starter before being benched for Rex Grossman. How's Rex Grossman working out for you now, Skins fans? How about John Beck? This season, Washington, in their first year post-McNabb, is...wait for it...wait for it....4-8.
Then, there's Minnesota, who saw their season go up in flames early when they started off 0-4 while division rivals Detroit and Green Bay started off 4-0. By Week 7, McNabb was benched for good and rookie Christian Ponder took over. McNabb was 1-5 as a starter for the Vikes. As for Ponder? 1-5 as well. So, my question is, is McNabb really washed up or was he just in some bad situations? None of McNabb's three previous teams prospered after he left, so was their downfall really HIS fault? Maybe McNabb isn't as finished as we initially thought. Maybe he's just too worn down to be able to carry a team on his back like he did early in his career with Philly. Still, it amazes me that nobody took a chance on McNabb while he was on waivers. He's 35. Guys who are more washed up than McNabb are getting chances with contenders(I'm looking at you, Jake Delhomme!).
That's why my one wish this Christmas is for McNabb to go back home and land with his hometown Chicago Bears. The Bears are 7-5 and are in the midst of a three-team dogfight with Atlanta and Detroit for one of the two Wild Card spots in the NFC. Current starter Caleb Hanie, who is filling in for Jay Cutler? He's not the one, Bears fans. The Bears final four games, meanwhile: @Denver against Touchdown Jesus(possible win), home vs. Seattle(win), @Green Bay(loss) and then the finale @Minnesota against the man who replaced him for what could be a shot at the playoffs.
Detroit's schedule is a little easier: Minnesota(win), @Oakland(win), San Diego(W), @Green Bay(loss)....which means Chicago's main competitor for the final Wild Card spot would be the Falcons. Their final four games: @Carolina(win), Jacksonville(win), @New Orleans(loss), Tampa Bay(possible loss, since the Bucs won the first one).
For 12 years, Donovan McNabb took the high road while fans booed, critics took shots and teammates blasted him. Three teams showed him the door, even while not having a suitable replacement. Thirty-two teams passed on him when they could have picked him up for nothing. Now, those teams are being asked the make the same mistake twice. This season could use another comeback story. We owe it to Donovan McNabb to let him give it one last go. Like we did with Favre. Like we did with Vick. Like we did with Plaxico Burress. Like we were going to do with Tiki Barber.....ok, maybe that's stretching it....Tiki Barber is a prick. Nobody's rooting for him to come back.
McNabb. Bears. For the chance to redeem a career filled with disrespect in the city where it all started. I dare you to tell me these next four games will be more interesting with Caleb Hanie or Josh McCown, Bears fans.
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