The NFL

“"when he wants too"

give me a brother with humility and a work ethic like marvin harrison or barry sanders than a showboatin its all about me schmuck like moss or owens.”

“Work ethic like Barry Sanders? WTF? Didn't he just quit when he still had time left on his contract? Give me a break!!

I can hardly wait for the Green Gay Packer vs Tampa Gay Buccaneers game!!!

I'll take Moss any day over any other receiver. At least he doesn't whine like Terrell Owens. Did you see that during the game last weekend?

GO VIKES!!! They're finally on their way to the big dance.”

“Jaguars: 0:4
'Nuff said.”

“Da Bears 0 and 4 too.”

“I think the Cowboys are the worst team with the best record.

Go Tuna!”

“barrys quitting doesnt reflect poorly on work ethic. he quit because he was disgusted with being on a consistently mediocre team.”

“Bucs vs. Colts is going to be a game of epic proportions. If I can come across tickets to this game, I'll be happier than Salma Hayek's bra.”

“both teams were once perennial jokes. now, along with k. city, theyre the cream of the nfl crop.”

“I hate to say it but Manning is due for a let down game.

The Colts defense is no longer soft so hopefully this will keep them in the game.”

“i dont think manning is due for a letdown. new orleans was his first good game. the defense has shown softness against the run. THATS where i think theyre due for a letdown. im afraid the next good back is gonna rape us for about 200.”

“what did terrible terrell say? i missed it but heard about it. i saw him throwing a tantrum in front of the off. coord., but didnt hear what he said”

“Open mouth, insert foot

Peter King, SI.com

I had to shake my head this morning when I heard about Rush Limbaugh's comments on Donovan McNabb. You may have heard them by now, but if you haven't, Limbaugh said on ESPN's Sunday pre-game show that he didn't think the Eagles quarterback was as good as the media made him out to be.

"I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL,'' Limbaugh said. "The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well. They're interested in black coaches and black quarterbacks doing well ... McNabb got a lot of the credit for the performance of the team that he really didn't deserve.''

Limbaugh was not making a racist statement about black quarterbacks. He was making a racist statement about me. Actually, about me and my colleagues. But I feel like he was talking to me. I am not going to make this about any political view Limbaugh might hold about affirmative action--or about anything, really, except his exact words. And I can tell you that they are incredibly absurd.

Last week, the editors at Sports Illustrated sent me to Philadelphia to look into why McNabb was playing so poorly early in the season. The Eagles were 0-2, and McNabb had been brutal in those eight quarters, completing 45 percent of his passes with no touchdowns and three interceptions. Last Thursday, in search of answers, I interviewed McNabb, coach Andy Reid, tight end Chad Lewis and center Hank Fraley. I interviewed the Bucs' Warren Sapp, who had opposed the Eagles in Week 1.

I went to NFL Films and watched some tape of two games -- Game 2 in 2002 and Game 2 in 2003. What a dichotomy: McNabb was 26-of-38 passing and scrambled for a touchdown in a masterful 37-7 Monday night rout of the Redskins in 2002, then was a pitiful 18-of-46 in a 31-7 New England rout of the Eagles one year later. Anyone who watched those two tapes would say that McNabb looked confident, strong-armed, bold and accurate in the 2002 game. They would also say that the 2003 McNabb, at least based on the tape I watched, was totally discombobulated.

So, before flying to Buffalo for this past Sunday's game, I developed my theories. I thought McNabb was rushing his throws and was mechanically unsound, throwing off his back foot and from other faulty angles. I thought he had happy feet, maybe nervous happy feet because his protection was breaking down so quickly. I thought he was missing open receivers on at least a third of his incompletions and not taking time to see the whole field. I thought he wasn't running nearly enough for such a talented runner; he didn't leave the pocket against the carnivorous Bucs in week one through the first 31 minutes of the game. I thought his weapons were lacking, and that Reid was trying to make studs out of second- and third-receiver types.

I also thought McNabb was getting no help from his running game. And I thought, as I have thought (and said, and written) in the past, that McNabb was simply not accurate enough to be a truly great player; his career completion rate of 56.6 percent over four-plus years demonstrated that.

I was all set to put down my theories in writing at the Bills-Eagles Sunday in Buffalo. But then a funny thing happened on the way to the rip job. McNabb played well. Not other-worldly, but well. He led the Eagles to two scores in a hostile house on their first two drives, and he had them up 16-0 three-quarters of the way into the game. His first and third plays were not the plays of an overrated, media-propped-up bum. The first was a beautifully thrown and timed 27-yard sideline fade to Todd Pinkston. The third was a logical scramble for 25 yards.

And so, after winning a huge game on the road by 10 points and very likely salvaging the Eagles' season, McNabb was hardly due for an SI story questioning his skills and the ability of those around him. He was owed some kudos for rising to the occasion and playing the best game he'd played in probably 10 months. We've got a saying among those who cover the sport about waiting till Sunday night to write your game stories. Something like, That's why they play the games. I believe Chris Berman, just to Limbaugh's right on ESPN's set, says that quite a lot.

Maybe McNabb's fundamental difficulties are still there. If the Eagles' season eventually goes down in flames and they go 6-10 and McNabb stinks, we'll write about it. But to suggest, as Limbaugh did on ESPN, that we in the media have even deep-background or off-the-record discussions in press boxes or magazine offices about propping up black coaches and quarterbacks is incredible.

Maybe, I thought, I'm being naive here. Maybe someone here has an agenda I haven't heard of. I called Reuben Frank of the Burlington County (N.J.) Times. He has covered the Eagles' beat since 1987. He's covered quarterbacks white (Bubby Brister, Bobby Hoying, Ty Detmer, Koy Detmer) and black (Randall Cunningham, Rodney Peete, McNabb), and coaches white (Rich Kotite, Reid) and black (Ray Rhodes).

I wondered in the past 17 seasons whether Frank had ever heard in the press room or on the practice field, or while having a few beers the night before games, a colleague talking about how great it was to see a black quarterback or coach succeeding. I wondered whether Frank had ever heard a fellow journalist say that he and his peers should write nice things about the black people and not such nice things about the white people. "In all the years I've covered this team,'' Frank said, "nobody I've heard has ever said anything remotely along those lines. I don't think of Donovan McNabb as a black quarterback and I didn't think of Rhodes as a black coach. They're a quarterback and a coach. Maybe someone in our business thinks the way Limbaugh said, but I haven't met him.''

Now, there is something that Limbaugh said that I do agree with. He stated that McNabb had gotten credit for the defense playing so well and winning games. Welcome to the real world. When you win in football, the quarterback gets too much credit, unless he's Spergon Wynn or Trent Dilfer. That's just the way life is. Quarterbacks get too much credit if the team wins and too much blame if the team loses. That's why they make the big dough.

The bottom line is that yes, I agree McNabb is overrated. He would have been on my top 10 list of quarterbacks in 2001 -- when he played two terrific playoff games and had a good regular season -- but he's been too inconsistent since then to be called a premier quarterback.

Last week, I pitched a story idea to my editor, Mark Godich, about how rookie quarterbacks should be developed. I told him how well I thought Titans coach Jeff Fisher had done in developing a raw but potentially great quarterback, Steve McNair, who happens to be black. My point was that Fisher thought it best to spoonfeed McNair slowly -- not because he was black, but because he thought a quarterback coming from relatively small Alcorn State to the NFL needed a couple of years to get adjusted to playing big-league football. In Limbaughworld, Godich would have said, "Let's do it, and let's blow it up big. McNair's the top-rated quarterback in football, and he's black!'' But in the real world, Godich took a pass, and I'll write about something else this week.

I'm white, as you probably know. This is 2003. Who cares?”

“The Vikings in the Super Bowl? That's the best news a Chiefs fan could ever receive.

Now, let's see, who did the Chiefs beat when they won the Super Bowl? Hmmmmmm......”

“limbaughs an ass. hell be gone next year. thank god he didnt get the monday nite gig a couple of years ago, eh?”

“He does seem to know a bit about football, but he can't seem to focus on the larger picture.”

“!!I!! know a bit about football. but no ones going to put me on tv”

“Colts will win big!!!

Donovan McNabb isn't white???

ehwwww... Salma Hayek 8~)”

“I say instead of getting rid of Limbaugh, bring in Bill Clinton to sit right next to him. Now that show I'd watch”

“I'd rather watch Hitlery Klinton and Monica Blewinsky.”

“The Steelers have got to win Sunday. It is imperative! I hope Cowher has kicked their butts this week!”

“1. Vikings at Falcons - The Vikes proved a lot last week by wiping their butts with the Niners, even with their starting QB out. Doug Johnson just flat out stinks (even though I went to the same high school as him).

2. Bengals at Bills - No way the Bills lose two in a row, they're much better than their current 2-2 record. Bengals are stinky, and their only hope, Dillon, is most likely going to be grabbing pine for this game.

3. Raiders at Bears - Actually, I think this is a pretty tough pick, but I'm going with the Raiders. I say it's tough because Chicago is perhaps due for a win, even though their stats would say otherwise.

4. Cardinals at Cowboys - Tuna gives the Pokes another W. Emmitt will run his little heart out, but still won't come close to breaking the 100 yard mark. Why can't Arizona have a better mascot? Like, "Cactuses of Death" or something? They might start winning games then. Cardinals simply aren't known for striking fear into the hearts of mankind.

5. Seahawks at Packers - Packers will pull this one off. Perhaps it's just a hunch. Seahawks are definitely a team to fear throughout the season though.

6. Broncos at Chief - Denver perhaps has a slight defensive advantage, but the game is being played in KC, so that cancels it out. Tough call, but I'm going for the home team. Chiefs win a close one.

7. Titans at Patriots - I'm saying Tennessee. New England is still gimping on defense, and while Belichick has done a reasonable job at making lemonade out of lemons, Fisher and his staff are wicked smart and will find ways to exploit the Pats D. It'll still be a close game though.

8. Dolphins at Giants - Stopping Ricky Williams won't be easy, but the Giants will pull it off.

9. Saints at Panthers - Panthers win with a shutout. Their defense simply has too much muscle for the 'Aints.

10. Chargers at Jaquars - Battle of the losers. Chargers are hardly worthy of their 0-4 record. The Jaquars are. Chargers win by a landslide.

11. Redskins at Eagles - McNabb had a great game last week. That was then, this is now. Spurrier's got the 'Skins on the right track. A lack-luster Eagles passing defense means another big day for Ramsey. Redskins win.

12. Lions at Niners - You know Mariucci wants this win badly. I bet he gets it. Niners just don't look like they even want to play football this season. Lions win.

13. Browns at Steelers - Steelers win. Just because.

14. Colts at Bucs - This will be a heckuva game. But with Edgerrin James being questionable, I wonder how they'll fare. They did fine without him last week, but relied heavily on a passing offense. You can't do that against the Bucs. Bucs in by at least 10 points.

Artex has spoken.”

“Lot's of good matchups this weekend.. What do y'all think of my predictions?”

“Artex as a Colts fan I have a few points to make...

the Colts ran 3 RB's last week for a combined 100 yards, not earth shattering but enough to keep the hurtin' ain'ts guessing.

Dungee has a lot to prove and a team to do it with.

And the Colts just friggin' RULE!

Will be the BEST MONDAY NIGHT GAME THIS SEASON”

“colts are 4 1/2 point dogs. ill take that bet.”

“It could be an epic battle! I still think the Bucs will will easy, but admit I'm biased. It's just going to be a fun game. Payton Manning is exciting as heck to watch. Probably the best pocket passer, and arguably THE best QB in the NFL. I'm really looking forward to the game.”

“james is listed as questionable, but dungy thinks he will be ready to play. i dont think he should play every down, though. ive always felt theyve over-used him.”

“With Dominic Rhodes healthy they could have a wicked running game using both backs.

I just hope the Colts can hold back that wicked Bucs pass rush

WHAT A GAME!

My prediction:
Colts 9
Bucs 6


Thanks Mike Vanderjagt!”

“i really think the "liquored-up kickers" comments earlier this year helped inspire the colts to be this good. i think it was just what they needed. sly canuck.”

“put a fork in 'em, cuz the raiders's goose is cooked!”

“Who is undefeated? Could it be the



CHIEFS?”

“and the colts and the vikes, and a few other teams..........but yea, beating denver is good. and what do they put in dante halls cornflakes on sunday mornings, anyway?”

“carolina, 4-0. good goosh.”

“Tommy maddox had the worst outing I've seen from him.

I hate the Browns.


Buddha, before you start - shutup.”

“The Eagles didn't lose!
The Eagles didn't lose!”

“Why did the Bears win?”

“The Steeler's secondary the hated Dwayne Washington and Chad Scott totally sucked AGAIN!!! And the offense didn't show up. God it was scary!”

“Lol Phaeddy!

Hey the Pittspuke Squealers made ole' Timma! look like a pro-bowler.”

“At least my Bengals took it to overtime against a better team...hey, does it mean your division sucks when you're arguing about who lost by the least?






Yep!”

“Go Vikes!!!

5 and 0

That makes 8 straight regular season wins.”

“The Brown's are crooks. They need to be 'muscled' out like Marge was. Well at least that T.J. Hushmanzada didn't play. He is really dangerous with the ball.”

“"The Eagles didn't lose!
The Eagles didn't lose!"
Geobeet
08:54:19 AM

Aaaawwwww, shaddapp!!!”

“Yeah, in all fairness I should have mentioned that they had some help from the Skins!”

“Yeah, McNabb really sucks too!!!








(for a Redskins fan like me)”

“GAME OF THE CENTURY TONIGHT, BABY! (ok maybe just game of the season). this SHOULD be a close game, unless somebody gets really lucky, or somebodys not as good as we think they are.

my (biased) prediction: colts 20, bucs 10”

“May Artex the Unmerciful have mercy on your soul, though it be the longest of shots!”

“BUCS SUCK!”

“I warned ya. If the Colts lose, Artex the Unmerciful will put a hurting gloat on ya!”

“Since I'm in Baltimore I'm supposed to hate the Colts.

Its a good thing that the Bucs got rid if that gay swashbuckler logo.

I mean really, that was odd!”