Stir Up the Controversy

November 28, 2007 | By Aaron Hertzog | Discuss

Before I even get into anything I’m going to say that I am fully aware that I am a shameless supporter of Donovan McNabb.  I don’t know what it is about him.  I feel like an abused spouse who keeps returning to their loved one hoping that it’s going to be “good again.” Sometimes, for a while at least, it is.  Then something like this happens.

No doubt this week’s close loss to the powerful Patriots will stir up some quarterback controversy.  All I have to say to that is “quarterback controversy, schmooreterback blontroversy.” All right, that doesn’t really work when the words are that long, but you catch my drift.

I’m not big on moral victories, usually a loss is a loss, but something about the game against the Patriots gave me some hope.  Granted, this is the NFL, where we all know that on any given Sunday Al Pacino can show up, spit some clichés backed by inspiring music and any team can fight for inches, but I don’t think this is one of those things.  The Eagles performance against the Pats wasn’t a fluke.  They looked like a well-coached, well-disciplined, hungry football team.  Hopefully it’s not too late in the season for them to keep this up with consistency and salvage what has been a mediocre at best 2007.

I don’t believe the quarterback controversy to be has any legs at all.  While Feeley played great, it isn’t like he hoisted the team on his shoulders and courageously carried them to a near victory.  It was a total team effort.  The defense was great, the receivers stepped up, and above all the Offensive line was outstanding.  They gave Feeley the time he needed to find receivers all night long.  He did his job and found them, most of the time.

Hopefully, when McNabb returns to the lineup he can get the type of protection from the offensive line, along with equally great play from his receivers.  Maybe I’m missing something, but I still believe he is the man for the job.

Another thing I’ve noticed about the game is the Eagles’ play calling.  The Eagles threw the ball a lot.  They had 42 pass attempts to only 19 rushes (and 8 of these were in the first quarter.)  I think the years of complaining that the Eagles need to run the ball more were wrong.  This team is at its best when it is throwing.  Brian Westbrook is still effective in the pass game.  The team seems to have the most success when spreading the ball around, moving guys to different positions around the field, and attacking the defense with the pass.

The close loss to the Patriots showed us that the Eagles have certainly got fight in them.  We just have to hope that there are enough rounds left for them to claim the decision.