It sounds like a prestigious law firm -- Manning and McNabb. But these two quarterbacks are better suited for the NFL's beleaguered bowl.
When Eli Manning and Donovan McNabb face off Sunday in Philadelphia, there will be little good will toward either of them from their fan bases.
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| Some fans in Philly seem to have turned their backs on Donovan McNabb. (Getty Images) |
Against Chicago last week, channeling his brother, he led the winning drive, but people are still wondering if he's overrated.
"He's not a bust," said one NFL scout, "but he's not a No. 1 pick either."
Michael Lewis, author of Moneyball, wrote of Eli, "Giant fans are understandably worried that the kid might be overpaid. But because he's the son of a legendary quarterback and the brother of another, people wonder if got here on his own merits, or is he the NFL's first legacy admission?"
"I still like what I originally saw in him," said Ernie Accorsi, the former Giants GM who gave Manning a $54 million contract in 2004. "I felt he had the intangibles that separate a good quarterback from a great one."
The question is still to be answered. Is Manning a Tim Couch, Akili Smith or Rick Mirer? Or is he on his way to greatness?
Two weeks ago, Eagles backup A.J. Feeley threw for a career high 345 yards and three touchdowns and played even with -- or maybe better than -- New England's Tom Brady.
Coach Andy Reid said this week that McNabb will return to play against the Giants, which is partly the result of Feeley's broken dream vs. Seattle, against whom he threw four interceptions. He now has seven in the past two games.
McNabb, then, might be welcomed back to Lincoln Financial Field as the Eagles, hard as it is to imagine, are still in the hunt for a wild-card spot.
"We're not thinking of that right now," said Reid. "We're just focusing on the Giants."
Who would you rather have for this game, Eli or Donovan?
McNabb is the five-time Pro Bowl quarterback who led his team to the Super Bowl, but injuries the past two years have limited his mobility, once the hallmark of his career.
McNabb had such unusual mobility that defensive coordinators would stay up all night devising game plans to contain him. But the cruelest constants in football, injury and age, have changed him. He's not the multidimensional threat he used to be.
McNabb has 16 touchdowns and six interceptions this year for a quarterback rating of 87.3.
And McNabb knows that his injuries (broken ankle, severely sprained ankle, sports hernia and a serious knee injury) have helped swirl the rumors of this being his last year in Philadelphia.
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| The New York media gets on Eli Manning for his less-than-fiery demeanor. (Getty Images) |
Manning is the reluctant star, with that unassuming droop of his shoulders and quiet manner. After his interception disaster against Minnesota, the media was appalled over his lack of passion or disappointment.
He was described as a human backboard, deflecting any question with a one-size-fits-all answer. His effort against the Vikings, one of the worst performances in league history, dropped him to 18th in the league.
But his composure against Chicago in the final minutes might be the flip side of his reticent nature, and, barring a collapse of epic proportions, he will lead the Giants into the playoffs.
This year, Manning has 17 touchdowns and 17 interceptions for an uninspiring 74.2 rating.
McNabb is facing competition from Feeley and knows that the Eagles have high hopes for rookie Kevin Kolb. But McNabb doesn't want to hear rumors that have him traded to his hometown Bears for Rex Grossman.
"People have short memories here in Philadelphia," he said. "I still think I can do some good things."
Manning and McNabb, mix and match, or send them to the scrap heap?
