Everybody Hates Donovan

There are times when I just feel sorry for Donovan McNabb. It seems like he is destined to be the most criticized guy in the NFL.

But whenever I do feel a twinge of sorrow for him I just remember he makes more in one year than I will hope to in 20. No matter how hard the critics sting McNabb, I like to think that Donovan just warms up a bowl of Chunky Soup from his cabinet and smiles.

That being said, this seems the week (or maybe even the year) to be hating on McNabb. Andy Reid and the Eagles dumped McNabb in favor of Kevin Kolb in the offseason. To make matters worse, and more insulting, they traded their Pro Bowl QB to division rival Washington.

Donovan did find a starting role in D.C. with new coach Mike Shanahan but that relationship is a bit rocky as of late. Mike Shanahan yanked Donovan from last weeks game during the last minutes in favor of Rex Grossman because when it comes to putting the game in the hands of a QB we all instantly think of a backup QB prone to panicking and tossing INT’s and who has hardly played all year.

By all means Rex, warm up. Stop talking to Albert on the bench and get warmed up already….

Shanahan pulled some rather unique BS out of his pleated dockers after the game and stated that McNabb, who has been hampered with a sore hamstring for weeks, did not have the “cardiovascular endurance” to run the 2-minute drill. That’s old school code for “you didn’t work hard enough in practice so I’m willing to lose a game to prove a point.”

The Redskins did lose the game and whether Shanahan’s point got through to his team is yet to be seen but I don’t think Shanahan can succeed in this league by treating his starting QB like Albert Haynesworth’s lazy neighbor.

Now Donovan has been firmly set down in front of the bus while Shanahan steps behind the drivers seat. Sensing blood in the water, some other characters are at the station buying tickets to get on board.

BFF's Forever!

This week Donovan’s nemesis, Terrell Owens, even decided to pop off about McNabb. The two have always had a very rocky relationship from their days in Philly as I think just about everyone knows by now. On T.O.’s show, T.Ocho Show, which Owens co-hosts with Chad Ochocinco on the Versus network, Owens defended Shanahan’s decision to bench McNabb.

Anyone not surprised by this…?

“Well, I don’t really want to start anything, but I did play in the Super Bowl and there were rumors where he couldn’t get our two-minute offense going at the end of the game,” Owens said, via the AP. “I’m just saying.”

Then former Philadelphia Eagles WR Freddie Mitchell decided to chime in for unknown reasons.

No one really cares what Freddie Mitchell has to say about the situation but it’s quite humorous that he feels obligated to voice his opinion. Remember, this is a former first round bust who was Patriots coach Bill Belichick summed up with the great quote: “All he does is talk. He’s terrible, and you can print that. I was happy when he was in the game.”

Well in case you do care, here’s what Fast Freddie had to say:

“I respect both coach Reid and coach Shanahan — they have two total different coaching theories. I can only wonder what would have happened in the Super Bowl if Reid stepped up and said, ‘You know what? You’re playing like (expletive), you’re benched.’ I don’t know many coaches that have the balls to do that. He was playing like (expletive) and he should have been benched. … And don’t say he doesn’t have a record of this; he did the same thing in every single championship game.”

Every player has peaks and valleys during his career. Hopefully Donovan McNabb will just warm up another bowl of Chunky Soup, I’m thinking Sirloin Burger with Country Vegetables, and take it on the chin and prove his skeptics wrong like he always does.

Because when Fast Freddie wakes up long enough from his nap to talk shit about your situation you know it can’t be that serious.