McNabb for MVP!!!

Michael Smith wrote a column for ESPN.com stating that Donovan McNabb is sending a reminder that he's still a great QB. I'm guessing Smith is citing McNabb's 106.0 QB Rating during the Eagles 3-1 start. Did you know that McNabb made the Pro Bowl 5 straight seasons (2000-2004)? During that span, only once did Donovan end the season with a QB Rating over 90 ... 2004. Guess who his go to receiver was that year? Yep, one Terrell Owens. McNabb finished '04 with a 104.7. His previous best (which he failed to beat last year as well), was a rating of 86.0 in 2002.

I didn't read Smith's column. I don't particularly care what he has to say about McNabb, but you are welcome to read it. I usually tend to agree with a lot of what Smith is saying. He may be on to something with McNabb too, but I'm going to play Devil's advocate on this one.

McNabb is not torching the league, he's torching the teams he has played so far. While he didn't make the schedule (unlike some college coaches who will remain nameless in this post), he was given multiple early-season gifts by those who did. Houston, NYG, SF and Green Bay the first month of the season. If you're going to break in new receivers, those are the teams to do it against. Houston has been torched by everyone except Miami, but the Dolphins couldn't block a group of girl scouts rushing the passer. The Texans allowed 43 to Indy and 31 to Washington, although the Redskins do seem to be figuring out Al Saunders' playbook in recent weeks. The Giants gave up 26 to Indy and 42 to Seattle in their two other games (they had a bye the 4th week of the season). And, while the 49ers play home games at Monster Park, their defense doesn't scare anyone (except 49er fans). SF allowed 41 points to a Damon Huard led Chiefs team that was previously averaging 8 ppg. They also allowed Arizona to put up 34 on them. The 49ers did hold the Rams to 13 points, but 3 out of 4 is pretty bad. I don't want to pile on the Packers, so I'll keep this brief: Chicago (26), New Orleans (34), Detroit (24).

The same argument I'm using against McNabb could be used to counter my argument. But, I'm really not trying to nail Donovan as much as I'm trying to shed light on my belief that numbers, especially early-season numbers, need to be viewed with a little perspective. McNabb hasn't faced any good defenses. He may torch the Cowboys this week. However, it is my belief that McNabb and the Eagles will regret letting that Giants game slip away as they fight for the NFC East crown the rest of the way. And, in that fight, McNabb's rating will decrease significantly as he is put into more difficult situations against better defenses.

Looking at the schedule, Philly has 5 division games left, 2 each with Dallas and Washington and a visit to Giant Stadium. They also play games against the NFC South, a division loaded with quality defenses in Carolina, Tampa Bay (if they get that Bucs ship righted), Atlanta, and New Orleans. They also play Indy (a solid defense when healthy), Jacksonville, and Tennessee. The Titan game will be a get well game for McNabb, but there aren't a whole lot of cupcakes left on the docket. Low 90's would be a good accomplishment for McNabb ... he might even deserve to make the Pro Bowl with those numbers.