Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb?s performance before he tore apart the Detroit Lions on Sunday was the major topic for all of the major networks? NFL pregame shows. So this week?s edition of “Good Line, Bad Line,” is dedicated to the man Eagles fans love ? and hate.
» GOOD LINE: “Psychologically speaking, it seems to me that Donovan is one of those kids that?s reaching out for some love. Life?s experiences dictate how we respond in certain situations. You look at Donovan in [high school] Chicago where nobody wanted him at quarterback except Syracuse, so he goes there. That?s a rejection. At Syracuse, he gets drafted No. 1 by Philadelphia and they didn?t want him, they wanted Ricky Williams so he gets booed in Philadelphia. Then he gets into the playoffs and plays very poorly. He has a record of 9-12 in the playoffs. He finally gets to the Super Bowl and is criticized for throwing up and calling the wrong plays. He gets hurt with a groin injury, goes on the bench, then he gets hurt with a knee injury and [former Eagles backup QB] Jeff Garcia plays so well. Now we hear this thing about the black quarterback. I?m just wondering if we?re not hearing from Donovan McNabb that he?s saying, ?I want out of Philadelphia. I don?t trust anybody.? If that?s what you want Donovan, you?re probably going to get it because I hear that Chicago is the place we?ll see you playing next year. They?re [The Bears] not in love with [Rex] Grossman.”
? Terry Bradshaw on FOX NFL Sunday
» BAD LINE: “The only negative for Donovan McNabb is that the highlight reel will have those blue and yellow throwback uniforms on them.”
? Cris Collinsworth on NBC?s “Football Night in America.”
» GOOD LINE: “I thought that we were long past this, but I look at it this way: I played a black quarterback in 1972, before Donovan was ever born. He thinks that maybe he?s being criticized with what he?s going through today. It didn?t compare to what my guys had to go through.”
? Former Dallas Cowboys Coach Barry Switzer on FOX NFL Sunday
» WEEKEND?S BEST LINE: “Afterthe game Rex Grossman had tonight against the Cowboys, Chicago fans and media will be tougher on him than the Philly fans and media are Donovan.”
? Announcer Al Michaels following Chicago loss to Dallas on Sunday night.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on www.examiner.com.
