Is it time for embattled QB Donovan McNabb to come home? The Chicago product from Mt. Carmel high school has always drawn an excessive amount of criticism, and in my opinion not always deservedly so. He has over a 60% career completion rate and he doesn’t traditionally throw a lot of interceptions.
And only four current NFL Hall-of-Famers have a passer rating higher than McNabb’s that’s your fun fact of the day. (The four are Steve Young, Joe Montana, Otto Graham and Len Dawson)
To quote another Chicagoan, Kanye West, in his guest rap on the song “Talk About Our Love,”
“Now you went field running plays like Donovan McNabb before you get in the cab.”
Of course, that song was recorded in 2004, and 7 years ago McNabb had game enough to be quoted in rap lyrics. He isn’t that good today.
He has declined in effectiveness, obviously, and is likely close to the end of his NFL life, but he’s probably an upgrade over Caleb Hanie. You saw Hanie in action last week.
McNabb hasn’t taken a snap since the Vikings benched him in favor of high draft pick Christian Ponder, coincidentally in their Oct. 16th visit to the Chicago Bears. Ponder has started the past five games, and at 2-9, there is no reason for the Vikings to maintain a veteran quarterback. They’re hoping for someone to claim him on the waiver wire. Last week Kyle Orton hit waivers and three teams put in their claim- the Bears were among them, put only had third priority.
Hopefully, for the Bears sake they can land him, because Hanie is not going to get it done, and there’s still time to salvage the season, despite Jay Cutler being gone. Cutler’s comments yesterday indicate he’s done for the year. Accept that Bears fans, he’s done for 2011.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
A Fulbright scholar and MBA, Banks has appeared on live radio all over the world; he’s also a member of the Football Writers Association of America, U.S. Basketball Writers Association, and Society of Professional Journalists. The President of the United States follows him on Twitter (@Paul_M_BanksTSB) You should too.