Welcome Back McNabb

Could yesterday's game gone any better for Donovan McNabb in his return to Philadelphia?

He got a standing ovation upon his introduction that surely was gratifying to him. He got booed as he trotted on the field for his first series which was a blessing to all those who hate Eagle fans.His heir apparent didn't start and then had to come into the game, unprepared, after Vick got hurt. Andy Reid proved that it's the coach and not the quarterback that has been the source of boneheaded clock management, McNabb got his slight (deserved) dig in on the Eagles after being presented with the game ball, and oh yes, the Redskins won the game.

The whole game had a weird feel to it. As my friend PK noted afterwards, "Remember how awesome the TO-returns game was, Eagles-Cowboys, down to

the wire, Bledsoe throwing pick to Lito in end zone? Remember how awesome that game was? This game was the exact opposite. Atrocious on all sides of the ball, with both coaches making terrible clock management issues, etc. I'm not even sure I'd be happy if Avant had pulled down that ball at the finish." I have to agree, the entire game was anti-climactic and ragged. Even the Eagles last second chance to win, to say nothing of the ball hitting Avant right in the hands, somehow was not the thrilling but just "huh?"

Other thoughts:

* McNabb got skewered fro "missing" a wide open Fred Davis. The wind was blustery and more importantly, Davis did manage to get two hands on it so I'm not sure how much he "missed" him.

* Pam Oliver is either a huge McNabb fan or a Philly hater. The opening remark in her post-game, on-field interview with McNabb was about the standing ovation "that lasted about three seconds" as she had a smirk on her face. Way to stay positive, Pam. It was an honest display of fan appreciation for McNabb's time in Philadelphia.

* Somehow the booing on McNabb's first series seemed not only appropriate but poetic, particularly after the standing ovation. It sent the unmistakable message that McNabb may be appreciated but he plays for the opposing team now.

* The media has been dying for McNabb to say something inflammatory about Philadelphia or the Eagles but he didn't oblige. When he finally opaquely referred to the situation in the confines of his locker room after the game and after being given the game ball by saying that "people make mistakes and they made one last spring" the Fox talking heads pounced, suggesting that McNabb just couldn't let it go and was providing the Eagles with bulletin board fodder for their next meeting. Personally, I would have preferred he said, "playing here [in Philadelphia] is tough and I know it from personal experience, and it's even harder for opposing teams and so this road win is a great accomplishment for the whole team." 

* To me, the defining McNabb play of the game came with 3:53 left and the redskins facing 3rd and 4 from their own 22. McNabb scrambled 18 yards for a first down at the 40. It's the kind of demoralizing play McNabb routinely made against the redskins for, well, 11 years. Now, the shoe is on the other foot. If I'm Danny Snyder, that is the play that made trading McNabb all worth it - to see him scrambling for him rather than against him.