For many reasons, it's not surprising that Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb already is bristling about the use of Mike Vick in Thursday night's preseason game against the Jaguars.
Still, McNabb's decision to vent regarding the disruption to the rhythm when Vick entered the game represents a stunning failure of the long-time starter to say all the right things when the red light is on.
Is it a coincidence that McNabb was miffed after a game in which, as Clifton Brown of SportingNews.com points out, the crowd at one point chanted "we want Vick" after a McNabb miscue?
Vick, of course, is signing a far different tune.
"The sky's the limit," Vick said after the game, per Brown. "I sat on the sidelines today,
thinking about so many things that we can do. It's almost scary."
What's scary is that the home crowd already has used Vick as a vehicle for voicing their displeasure with Donovan, and that the totality of Thursday night's circumstances prompted McNabb to gripe (indirectly for now) about Vick's presence.
So while Vick's arrival feature a parade of happy faces and positive words, the bottom line is that McNabb will tolerate this thing only if the coaching staff uses Vick the way McNabb wants him to be used, and only if Vick knows his place and stays there.
"We want Vick" chant erupted during Thursday night's game
Posted by Mike Florio on August 28, 2009 6:30 AM ET
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Then when Vick goes in and pisses them off they will be chanting for Favre!
Did Kevin Curtis play lat night?
This really sucks for McNabb. Taking into account that Philly fans are eer Philly fans it will be a matter of time before this errupts into something ugly, I'm sure ESPN won't do anything to fuel that fire if McNabb has some more "Miscues"!
Maybe it's because, surprise, McNabb has been inconsistent in his accuracy in the pre-season. The only pass (and granted, he only had 4 of them) that Vick threw for distance was dead on.
Philly's tired of watching McNabb miss open guys and throw at players' feet. He needs to start worrying about his own game.
i love it!! this is going to lead to an eagle implosion!!!
That's the hardest thing about being an Eagles fan from abroad. You have to watch the morons who call themselves eagles fans boo their quarterback who has taken them to the NFC championship 5 times in the last 9 years and once to a superbowl. We should be so lucky to have a QB with his calibur. The days of devoted QB's are over. They're becoming diva's like the rest of the league. Mcnabb could throw for 400 yards and 4 TD's and still get boo'd if he threw an overthrown pass in the last quarter.
Be thankful you have decent QB. You could be stuck with a Kyle Orton or a JaMarcus Russel.
I was at that game last night and can say the chant wasn't as much that they truly wanted McNabb replaced as it was more tongue-in-cheek. Vick didn't play nearly as much as anybody wanted and wasn't utilized all that much.
turds cheering for a turd...a match made for a toilet bowl.
From someone at the game, I can tell you it wasn't exactly an "erruption". That could be a dramatic overstatement. There was one section, which I was sitting near, that chanted it for a brief period of time. Fifteen seconds, max. It didn't seem to be the general vibe, although there was some obvious frustration with the offenses' and particuarly Donovan's struggles. This would occur on any drive that the Eagles struggle, though, with or without Vick.
McNabb's manuerisms, particularly on the Vick sub that resulted in confusion and a subsequent time-out was obvious in the direction of frustration. Makes you wonder how Don thought they were going to use him? As a running back?
The Eagles used very basic plays - shovel passes, wide receiver screens, to make Vick look almost perfect. He didn't do any of the dirty work yet. If any town will recognize this, it's Philly. I think the "fans are calling for Vick" thing is a bit premature.
Just some observations.
Let the Drama doom the dirty birds this yr.......lol!
EVERYBODY....
We want a touchdown not a puppy smash down.
Philly fans are the worst. I've said before here on PFT that as soon as Mcnabb had a miscue they would start chanting for Vick, and they didn't even wait for the game to mean something.
I am still amazed that a guy who has brought his team to 5 NFC championship games and 1 superbowl is still looked at as an overwhelming failure. Considering that the eagles had won 5 division championships in the history of the team before McNabb came in and won 5 you would think there would be more appreciation for what he has done.
I sincerly hope that McNabb leaves the Eagles next year and all you McNabb haters are left watching your boy Vick run around like a fool throwing the season into the dirt or the hands of the opposing team.
Good for Vick.
May he stay out of trouble and have much success at rebuilding his career!
All I can say is be careful what you wish for. McNabb has led the Eagles to several playoff championship games and a Superbowl, what did Vick ever do in Atlanta?
Take into consideration that he's been out of football for 2+ years and he has always had an accurracy problem, I'd rather have McNabb as my starter. Now, Vick as a solid backup and the starter should McNabb retire(get run out of Philly), sure, that would be ok.
It's all up to McNaab. If he completes every pass and drives for a TD every time they get the ball then he won't have any problems. If not then he only has himself to blame.
I was at the game also last night. And as a season ticket holder I can tell you that the crowd was not the "regular" season tickets holders. We'll see what really happens when the regulars are there........
Florio, you mentioned in earlier posts last night that the stadium was half full. Traffic was horrendous getting to the stadium for a 7pm kickoff and major construction on the highway....
Philly phans are some of the toughest to please.
Vick is still "new puhssy" to them (as Chris Rock would say).
But they will soon tire of him like they did of McNabb and will start spreading the hate more evenly.
It's just their nature. NTTAWT.
Stay classy, Killadelphia.
hahaha @ kevin from philly
hahahahaha your fans are so predictable... finally mcnabb will be gone from the nfl as he should have been years ago!
So here's a different look on this:
So what if the "McVick" marriage doesn't work out, and Donovan divorces Mike and he gets run out of town... does that make TO look just a slight bit better?
I mean, think about it? Anyone that even hints at taking the spotlight away from McNabb and he gets all pissy? I don't know, I think its fun to think about.
zeke777,
And you really think a career 53.8% completion rate QB is going to be an improvement over McNabb? Man you clowns just don't realize how good you have it until we are back at 4-12 every year.
I was at the game and I will say that commentor "Steve" summed it up perfectly. Don't take too much stock into what a reporter "witnessed" at the game, considering he is in the Press Box and not out in the stands.
No wonder Philly has a bad rep...Cheering for a multiple dog murderer...great fans
Florio and gang are going for the Vick record. How many Vick stories can they squeeze into one day? They probably have more updates on Vick than his own blog/twitter page. Apparently, Vick is only one of 5 players in the league. Farve, Marshall, Owens, and any punter who hits the Dallas scoreboard are the others.
Maybe one of these days they will finally stop giving us every damned update, and summarize it all in one short blurb instead of 10 articles a day intended to over inflate the numbers.
they probly werent saying 'vick'.
Can the media ever provide any context or do they just look to stir the pot? Lets say 45,000 were at the game last night and 1,000 started chanting this, the media box hears this and instead of someone saying less than 2.5% of the crowd is chanting for a guy who has not played in two years and won't be eligible until after week 6, they start typing away. The chatter builds and of course it is reported all over the sports media. Give us a break and stop being high school girls.
If by "erupted," you mean a handful of fans started chanted for Vick, then ok, but that's kinda like calling a quick summer shower a typhoon...
Philly never appreciated McNabb. He really should have forced a trade to a team who would have appreciated him. Now this Vick business. Philly is a weird place. Maybe they weren't chanting "Vick." Could have been that the local gay pride parade was just before the game and they were all chanting something else.
I was afraid my resolve would weaken if I watched the game last night. Vick came in the game, the crowd roared, and I turned off the TV. Surprised my fiance by showing up at a dinner with friends that I had planned on blowing off.
I wake up this morning officially Eagle-Free for the first time in 30 years. No regrets.
The fact that this is going to be a disaster for the Eagles when they figure out that they are a day late and a dollar short implementing the Wild Cat because every defense in the league has studied it and learned how to stop it is just icing on the cake.
Best of luck, iggles fans. You're gonna need it.
Philly fans don't seem to be all that bright. I can see it now. Every time they don't win we can see the headlines. Let me tell ya, the grass ain't greener on the other side in this case. If they don't see that, they aren't all that bright.
More Vick stories, Florio! Gooooo Vick!
BrewThru, I watched the game last night and not only did you guys give Ron the Dog Drowner a mind boggling standing O when he came in the game, but the chants of "we want vick" were heard loud and clear.
There's no real way to spin that, sorry.
BrewThru, I watched the game last night and not only did you guys give Ron the Dog Drowner a mind boggling standing O when he came in the game, but the chants of "we want vick" were heard loud and clear.
There's no real way to spin that, sorry.
Are you guys that clueless? there were probably 1000 fans left at that point, and probably 10 drunken clowns near a mike making noise.
Killachap, what the hell were you responding to, when you mentioned my name?
CincyEagleFan:
Did I say I wanted McNabb benched in favor of Vick? No, I didn't. I'm really looking forward to the potential of having both of them on the field at the same time - with McNabb behind center. Sending Donovan out as a receiver isn't fooling anyone.
The frustration with McNabb is firmly rooted in a two things: His inaccuracy, and his performance in the SuperBowl.
For the record, I was happy when they drafted him (we had a 1,000 yard back at the time - Deuce Staley and NO quarterback - Doug Peterson). My attitude changed the minute he thew two CONSECUTIVE end zone interceptions in the SB (one was called back) and couldn't get it together on the final drive in the biggest game in his life. Since then, to me he's suspect.
My point was and is, worry about your own game. You won't get benched if you perform.
Eagles implosion...yeah ok.
1. First of all, you need to realize that most season ticket holders sell their preseason tickets for whatever they can get for them,or give them away. A lot of the people in attendance last night have never seens a game live, and are basically rubes that don't know much about football.
2. A lot of the tickets were bought up by Vick fans.
3. The Vick fans wanted to see Vick play, he played in a handful of downs, and not at all in the second half. The chants were in the second half. The chants were to get Vick in the game, not to replace McNabb as QB as this silly artcle implies.
If you watched the game, you would realize Donovan did even not leave the field when Vick was playing.
First off, 15 seconds of chanting is a REALLY REALLY REALLY long time for a chant.
Take out your watch and watch 15 seconds. A loud, audible chant going 15 seconds is a STATEMENT.
Look, McNabb was all for bringing in Vick. The guy wants to win, and another weapon means more options in the red zone.
But what McNabb didn't want was Vick to look so competant so early on. Kiss of death.
Vick going no better than 2/4 with at least one terrible pass means job security.
Vick going 4/4 in his first live game experience two years removed from the NFL, playing the toughest position, against a 1st string D, means job insecurity.
And we are all seing it unfold before our eyes.
Look, McNabb was benched not too long ago. He's not in the same league as your Bradys, Mannings (not Eli lol), Rivers, etc. He just isn't.
And when you add his ever-growing issue with insecurity, it's a recipe for disaster.
As a season ticketholder, sectio 111 row 26, I've seen McNabb do some amazing things. I've also watched him throw at the feet of wide open receivers morte times than I can count.
I've heard the chants for Feely a few years ago, and frankly, they were deeserved.
McNabb has given us the best stretch of football ever in Philly. That being said, alot of his issues with the fans are his own inability to connect with them. He still whines about the booing at the draft (30 certifiable morons) he still tries to preach the "I'm the leader of this team" BS.
If he was a leader he'd shut his yap and play, He tries too much to be like Reid. This is one time that a little Favre in his personality would help.
As for the 5 NFC Chmps in 9 year argument. Blow me!
I watched two of them blown because he couldn't or wouldn't adjust during the game to reflect the defenses. I watched in horror as he choked in the Superbowl and yea, the defense sucked too.
tick... tick... tick... tick...
jacknace says:
"I was at the game also last night. And as a season ticket holder I can tell you that the crowd was not the "regular" season tickets holders. We'll see what really happens when the regulars are there........"
Amen.
@ kevin from philly
it was a pre-emptive strike on what I assumed you would say. Gotta love pft blogging huh?
@ penguininbondage
its good to see realistic fans on here. as a cowboy fan ive become good at looking at my team realistically. but just to warn you, you are about to get bombarded with people saying you arent a real fan. some people just dont know the game.
Typical Philly fan.. Who cares if these people aren't "real" season ticket holders.. They still represent your fan base!! Dispicable.
F all of them.
I was born at Broad and Pattison (Naval Hospital) Grew up in the Vet. My uncle was a Whiz Kid. Been going to games in philly since i was five.
if i get any more "real" 'I'll split in two like a god damn amoeba.
Compliments from a Cowboys fan though is like f'ing a fat chick. It feels good til your friends find out. (no disrespect)
Not exactly going on out on limb here but this is never going to work which makes you wonder why the Eagles did this in the first place.
"Real" season ticket holders weren't there? WTF???
Do you really think that fans that are rabid enough to buy season tickets wouldn't go to the pre-season games too, especially because they're ALREADY PAID FOR?
ROFLMFAO
Can you say drama queen? Lets face some simple facts rather than Florio fantasy. I was at the game and traffic on the Blue route and on 95 was a nightmare, that being said, the place was packed in the 2nd quarter. I had to park on the far side of the Bank. The Vick chants were weak and very "tongue in cheek" and very isolated. The McNabb comments are even more ridiculous as portrayed by Florio. I guess he needs a problem in Philly no matter what but McNabb was the furtherest thing from controversy in his PC and context and delivery are everything at these and he joked around almost the entire time. Why did Florio leave out all the joking around about McNabb being open for a pass from Vick and him forwarding his Pop Warner tapes to Vick to prove he can catch? Of course that would have deflated the controversy that Florio hopes to build. he is either disingenuous or read the comments and took them as purely serious. Either way it is not a great commentary on this site. About the only thing that was correct in tthe article was that there was a game in Philly. I hope this gets better but now I wonder how F.O.S. he is on just about anything or is it all "drama queen" antics to stir the pot?
@ Empire Jones
ummm...yeah been a season ticket holder for twenty years, season ticket holders almost never go to the preseason games. Not that this fact matters, but get a clue.
Another thing, I have heard Eagles chants at opposing stadiums when the place is half empty, does that make the Dallas fan base all Eagles fans, stop it.
sn@ke,
All the season ticket holders I know go to pre-season games. Except for the "corporate giveaway" type of ticket buyers. Most go. Ask around.
That chant was bull. Dumb fans were chanting that. 5 is my guy! 5 all the way to 44! F all of you that meant it when you said it.
"Vick, of course, is signing a far different tune."
I had no idea Vick could express himself in sign language. Calling it a "tune" is a bit harsh, though. Deaf people have feelings too, I think.
Real" season ticket holders weren't there? WTF???
I sold em on ebay on the cheap. Obviously last night less than half went. Stadium was pretty empty.
Rest assured regular season games regardless of time I'm in the wach lot at 6am setting up.
Your "friends" may say they go, but most likely sitting in Chickie and Pete's.
Grass is always greener on the other side, eh Philly?
I say it all the time:
McNabb is a choke artist, and the playoffs are his canvas.
He's driven by his insecurity and his shortcomings. Why he would wish the Vick drama on himself is beyond me.
Mark my words:
Philly is doomed to be trainwreck #3 this season.
#2 = Denver
#1 = Who else? BiQueens
All 3 of these organizations have some big time hubris working against them--through their own poor choices, they (will) have brought all this disaster upon themselves.
All 3 have sold out in one way or another, acted arrogantly, or foolishly.
And arrogance, especially, is always punished by the football gods.
I was there chanting "we want Vick", but it wasn't to replace 5. We wanted to see more of him in a variety of positions. Now obviously they aren't going to show alot in preseason, but we were anticipating 12-17 snaps with Vick somewhere on the field. On a side note there were some fans barking and howling all night....
these are Eagles fans we're talking about, don't forget. not exactly the pinnacle of the mountain here.
(cue video from 1999 draft, first-round)
killachap says: August 28, 2009 10:27 AM
@ penguininbondage
its good to see realistic fans on here. as a cowboy fan ive become good at looking at my team realistically.
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Ahahahahahahaha!
Funniest joke you've told since you've been trolling.
# Florio-is-a-tool says: August 28, 2009 10:20 AM
tick... tick... tick... tick...
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Is that the countdown clock for a Superbowl win?
Jackal138 says:
Is that the countdown clock for a Superbowl win?
^^^^^
It could have been, if your team didn't go out of its way to give a second chance to a dog torturing felon- which will ultimately destroy your team from within...see 2005