Three weeks ago, we were reminded of the periodic struggles of former Eagles and current Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb during the two-minute drill. On Monday, Eagles guard Todd Herremans made some interesting comments comparing and contrasting the late-game performances of McNabb and current Eagles quarterback Mike Vick.
“Mike seems a little more determined when he’s in the huddle,” Herremans told Mike Missanelli of 97.5 the Fanatic in Philadelphia. “I guess determined is a good word for it because I would say both of them are confident when they are in the huddle.
“Donovan would always have that relaxed, kind of lackadaisical feel to him where he tried to keep a cool head the whole time. He always thought if he stayed relaxed and didn’t act like anything was bothering him that he felt like that was the best way to carry out the game. Mike comes in the huddle and he has a look of sheer determination on his face to where he’s gonna get it done. . . .
“Mike’s attitude, whether it’s how he carries himself, his determination or whatever, it’s very contagious to the rest of the players on the field. I think people have been able to see that when he’s out there with us, we’re a totally different team. Let alone his ability but the the others players on the team, it seems they step their play up when Mike’s on the field.”
The details are interesting and far more meaningful than the notion that McNabb simply pukes on his shoes when the chips are down. Instead, McNabb apparently has decided that, when the going gets tough, he’ll simply act like the going isn’t tough at all.
It worked for Joe Montana when he pointed out John Candy in the stands during crunch time of Super Bowl XXIII. But it historically hasn’t worked for McNabb.