Parting words...

[FRESH]

In a heartbeat.

[balto-eaglefan]

Well, it's weird to criticize McNabb when we've got an interview from Sheldon that criticizes Asante Samuel, and not McNabb.....but, whatever, I know we all miss him

Let's see. Sheldon said this about leadership:

* Brown called leadership "overrated" but it was pretty clear that he thought he had a different definition of the word than fans and the media. "The thing that sometimes the fans and everyone miss out on, is we had an opportunity to learn from some great guys," Brown said. "What I don't want people to fail to realize is that I didn't do this alone. Lito [Sheppard] didn't do it alone. [Brian] Westbrook. Westbrook had Duce [Staley]. I had Troy [Vincent] and Bobby [Taylor]. Lito had Troy and Bobby. Mike Lewis had Brian Dawkins. So there were veterans in place that had great qualities about them, and we understood that. And we fell in line and learned how to be pros, and I think that that's key."
A major issue for the Eagles going forward, which is more concerning on defense than offense.
* To that same point, Brown talked about how much the defense missed Dawkins last season. "I think it's just a locker room presence," he said. "It's great to have a guy like that in the locker room where a younger guy can come in and see how it's supposed to be done. ... I can go back to Troy. I learned from Troy and people like Dawk. They would show how to play through injury, how to tough it out, how to fight, sit down and talk to you as a young buck and tell you what it's gonna take for you to achieve the goals that they have achieved. That locker room presence is huge."

I don't see Sheldon slighting in McNabb's direction, other than the fact that he (gasp! horrors! oh no!) could've said, but didn't:

...I didn't do this alone. Lito [Sheppard] didn't do it alone. [Brian] Westbrook. Westbrook had Duce [Staley]. I had Troy [Vincent] and Bobby [Taylor]. Lito had Troy and Bobby. Mike Lewis had Brian Dawkins. Kevin Kolb had Donovan [McNabb].

I mean, he talked about telling guys what to do: "sit down and talk to you as a young buck and tell you what it's gonna take for you to achieve the goals that they have achieved..." and leading by example: "They would show how to play through injury, how to tough it out, how to fight..."

Was McNabb was the type to say, "I'm the leader of this team" and then ignore the younger players? Somehow, I doubt it. And, was he the type who wouldn't tough it out, who'd miss a game at the slightest injury? Doubt that too -- playing with a broken ankle, thumb and sports hernia tells me that he wouldn't do that either.

Maybe McNabb wasn't the leader that Dawkins was, but to say that he wasn't a leader at all? I don't see that..........

[sfphillyfan]

At this point MV has got to be better than Jamarcus Russell pushing 3 bills and Bruce Gradkowski, the Polish Pea Shooter.

[FRESH]

Well, it's weird to criticize McNabb when we've got an interview from Sheldon that criticizes Asante Samuel, and not McNabb.....but, whatever, I know we all miss him

Let's see. Sheldon said this about leadership:


I don't see Sheldon slighting in McNabb's direction, other than the fact that he (gasp! horrors! oh no!) could've said, but didn't:



I mean, he talked about telling guys what to do: "sit down and talk to you as a young buck and tell you what it's gonna take for you to achieve the goals that they have achieved..." and leading by example: "They would show how to play through injury, how to tough it out, how to fight..."

Was McNabb was the type to say, "I'm the leader of this team" and then ignore the younger players? Somehow, I doubt it. And, was he the type who wouldn't tough it out, who'd miss a game at the slightest injury? Doubt that too -- playing with a broken ankle, thumb and sports hernia tells me that he wouldn't do that either.

Maybe McNabb wasn't the leader that Dawkins was, but to say that he wasn't a leader at all? I don't see that..........

I think McNabb was a leader in MANY ways. I think he benefitted from playing the marquee position that basically labels him as a leader, and he did the best he could to live up to that responsibility. I also think some peopledon'thave, nor nead that position to be leaders, because they are simply natural, born leaders. Are DB's typically considered a major leadership position? Ummmm....no. But Dawk and Troy certainly have been mentioned by many past and present players as mentors, roll models and leaders. They simply had the "IT" mentioned above.

[Vote for Kalas]

I agree with Blitz....McNabb was constantly asked about leadership and if he was the/a leader and thus had to answer the question a million different times and in a hundred different ways...

There have been many reports over the years on how McNabb helped younger players--watch the In Their Words video on Hulu and you can hear him rallying guys on the sideline and in the huddles (on the sidelines) and also hear him speaking about leadership etc.

The reality is McNabb is not seen as a leader by some media/fans is because the team never won the ring....some point out his celebrations or facial expressions or gestures and try to argue he is not a leader, but if the team had won the trophy all that would have been wiped away. He was a leader IMV, but not THE leader the media/fans wanted i.e. the mythical player who could carry the team on his own to win it all...makes for great copy and message board discussions, but does not exist in reality. It takes a full team to win it all

[MDFAN]

"He was a leader IMV, but not THE leader the media/fans wanted i.e. the mythical player who could carry the team on his own to win it all...makes for great copy and message board discussions, but does not exist in reality. It takes a full team to win it all "

Perfect.

Mythical is perfect.

Hell, look at Mike Schmidt, even he couldn't live up to "IT" for many in this town.

[FRESH]

I agree with Blitz....McNabb was constantly asked about leadership and if he was the/a leader and thus had to answer the question a million different times and in a hundred different ways...

There have been many reports over the years on how McNabb helped younger players--watch the In Their Words video on Hulu and you can hear him rallying guys on the sideline and in the huddles (on the sidelines) and also hear him speaking about leadership etc.

The reality is McNabb is not seen as a leader by some media/fans is because the team never won the ring....some point out his celebrations or facial expressions or gestures and try to argue he is not a leader, but if the team had won the trophy all that would have been wiped away. He was a leader IMV, but not THE leader the media/fans wanted i.e. the mythical player who could carry the team on his own to win it all...makes for great copy and message board discussions, but does not exist in reality. It takes a full team to win it all

I think that is a rather silly take there, VFK. Dawk and Vincent never won a ring either, so....I dont see that as a prerequisite for getting the leader tag.

Now, if you are making the point that Dawk lived up to/exceeded people's expectations as a player, and Donovan didn't, that makes a little sense. But equating the team's succes to the individual's perceived leadership qualities does not compute.

[Vote for Kalas]

I think that is a rather silly take there, VFK. Dawk and Vincent never won a ring either, so....I dont see that as a prerequisite for getting the leader tag.

Which makes the hypocricy even more clear IMV...McNabb was held to a much higher standard than Dawk or Vincent...why? Expectations...

Now, if you are making the point that Dawk lived up to/exceeded people's expectations as a player, and Donovan didn't, that makes a little sense. But equating the team's succes to the individual's perceived leadership qualities does not compute.

Exactly....Dawk was not held to the high standard McNabb was and thus got mostly a free pass as one of the leaders on a team that fell short. I do think McNabb "failed" to meet their expectations because the expectations were way out of whack with reality i.e. the mythical player noted above

How many times did we hear from fans/media, "where has McNabb led us anyway" or "McNabb has not won anything" etc? Of course they are equating THE leader with McNabb...he was supposed to be the ONE, the guy who brought us the ring finally, the player who would deliver the ultimate prize....Dawk was never looked at that way.

When the team failed, including McNabb and Dawk, McNabb got the vast majority of the blame...despite the fact this was the best era in Eagles football and Mcnabb was the best QB in team history--does not matter, he did not bring us the ring we were owed

[FRESH]

I concur. Anyone being biased simply based upon their positions and expectations is way off base in making a (clouded)judgement on their leadership abilities.