Like McNabb or not, you need to appreciate the way he recovered from that miserable start in 2003..
McNabb was right.
Donovan in 2003: 45% conclusion, 334 passing yards, 0 TDs, 3 INTs, 41.4 passer ranking.
There are a couple distinctions.
McNabb had more of a proven track record at that point. He was already a three-time Pro Bowler, had actually been to the playoffs 3 times, and reached 2 NFC Championship Games.
” Its not like we havent lost video games before,” McNabb told press reporters after that 0-2 start. “Its something you go through as a gamer. Every gamer has been through it before or is going through it right now.
Carson Wentz has been one of the NFLs worst quarterbacks these first two weeks, but 17 years ago, McNabb was even worse the very first 2 weeks of the 2003 season.
The resemblances are striking.
Wentz did make the Pro Bowl in 2016, but his playoff resume includes three passes versus the Seahawks in 2015 before he suffered a concussion.
If theres absolutely nothing there are incredible, the recommendations to getting out of the pocket and not forcing the ball. That quote might have been Wentz today, however its McNabb 17 years ago.
” There is no time for panic,” McNabb said in September of 2003. “There is no time to hang your head. You stay favorable and before you know it, well be back in this thing. Whats more exciting is the NFC East is large open. If we concentrate on one video game at a time, well be fine.”.
Carson this year: 59% completion, 512 passing lawns, 2 TDs, 4 INTs, 64.4 passer score.
Donovan McNabb was worse. Method even worse.
That 2003 Eagles team had a bye week after opening the season with a 17-0 loss to the Buccaneers and a 31-10 loss to the Patriots, both at the Linc.
McNabb was in his 5th season, Wentz is in his 5th season. McNabb finished the previous year really strong and so did Wentz. McNabb had never ever had worse back-to-back games and neither has Carson. Another curious resemblance– McNabb and Wentz were each sacked 8 times in one of those early losses.
McNabb was in his 5th season, Wentz is in his 5th season. They were both 27 years of ages. The 2003 Eagles were coming off a playoff look, and so are the 2020 Eagles. McNabb completed the previous year extremely strong therefore did Wentz. The Eagles didnt simply lose their first 2 games, they got eliminated. McNabb had actually never ever had worse back-to-back games and neither has Carson. Another curious resemblance– McNabb and Wentz were each sacked eight times in among those early losses.
It does indicate you truly never know..
” There is no time for panic,” McNabb said in September of 2003.
Same with this one:.
McNabb was asked what his technique would be when the Eagles went back to action against the Bills at Rich Stadium the following week.
However they were both tested veterans attempting to resolve the worst slump of their life.
None of this means Wentz will recuperate and it does not indicate the Eagles will bounce back..
And it settled.
We learned a lot about McNabb the rest of that 2003 season, and whatever takes place, theres no doubt well discover a lot about Wentz the rest of this season.
” Going out there and making plays and having enjoyable doing it – thats something that just didnt take place the first two weeks,” he said. “You get back and watch some of the old games, getting out of the pocket and making plays or hanging back in the pocket, hitting receivers and viewing them run downfield. Delivering it, and if absolutely nothings there, inspecting down to the backs or ideal ends. Youre seeing things like that happen and you know what youre capable of doing. All you have to do is head out and do it.”.
The Eagles entered into Buffalo and beat the Bills, then beat Washington at the Linc. After a loss in Dallas, they won nine directly, finished 12-4, won the department, made the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs and reached a third straight NFC title game.
He had the best mindset as the Eagles prepared to return to action.
McNabb ended up strong, with 13 TDs and 4 INTs over the last nine video games and made his fourth straight Pro Bowl. A year later, the Eagles went to the Super Bowl.
