McNabb's Road to Redemption

Seven weeks ago, most of the sports talk in town concerned the means which should be employed to run Donovan McNabb, not to mention his coach, out of town. Now the discussion has grown a tad more civil. Now it's: Is Donovan the greatest quarterback in the history of the franchise, or may even the universe? Or does Donovan deserve immediate induction into the Hall of Fame? Or how about McNabb for governor? The sitting governor is a big Eagles' fan and would gladly step down. And then there is always the Noble Prize Committee. Perhaps they might honor Donovan with a lifetime achievement award. The Philly QB had no idea he had so many friends and admirers.

McNabb came into the league as an exciting quarterback who could run. Age, injuries and discretion have transformed him to a pocket passer but he can still run in a pinch. Going into this season, Donovan probably already was the Eagles' all-time QB based on longevity and solid career stats. He has always had the ability to make plays but this was tempered by a maddening inconsistency which could sometimes but not always be excused by a lack of capable receivers or a reliable running game.

The legendary New York sportswriter Dick Young once described Joe Namath, for all his genius and bravado, as being far less than great on too many Sundays. The same might be said for Donovan McNabb. But McNabb is in a position to add a Super Bowl championship or two to his resume and that would secure his legacy and maybe punch his ticket to the Hall of Fame. Who knows how many more McNabb fans would come out of the woodwork then.