Comments on: McNabb Coverage

By: Jonathan Richardson

Jonathan Richardson — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 08:54:09 +0000

Donovan McNabb recently made the comment that black quarterbacks face greater scrutiny than their white counterparts. Many whites wrote comments denying any racial prejudice, preference or partiality concerning the treatment of quarterbacks whether they are Black or White. Surely the “There he goes playing the Race Card” retort will be used in numerous media outlets in response to McNabb’s comments. Of course, the “he’s playing the race card” does not give definitive proof that his accusations are not true. Let’s look closer at this topic.
Donovan McNabb could have been alluding to the fact that (historically) N.F.L. teams have not been quick to draft and install African-Americans as quarterbacks. Many times, African-Americans who played quarterback in High School, were “encouraged” to switch positions if they wished to keep playing at the college level. Those who played College football as a quarterback, would oftentimes be drafted as an “athlete” and switched to another position at the professional level. Their “athletic” abilities afforded them the opportunity to play professional football, just not (Pro teams seemed to be saying) at the position of quarterback.
When describing the Black Athlete, words like “athletic”, “quick”, “naturally gifted”, “strong” and “fast” seem to be used quite often. The White Athlete on the other hand is usually labeled as “smart”, “heady”, “decisive” and “getting the most out of his limited natural abilities”. When teams have looked for that “Leader on the field”, they have tended to believe that the white quarterback had the attributes they desired to “Lead” their teams. The fact that the Black quarterback may have “Athletic” prowess, does not preclude him from also having the other qualities commonly associated with the White athlete. I believe this is were much of the problem lies.
America is comfortable and accepting of the “Athletic” Black athlete and the “Smart” (though less athletic) White athlete. The athletic prowess of the Black athlete has had him excelling at almost every position on the football field. The quarter-backing abilities of the African-American at the College level has demanded that he be looked at by the Pros in this capacity. We find journalist and sports commentators exclaiming that color is not an issue when discussing the quarterback position. It is interesting however, when listening to sports commentators on television or radio, to hear how often they describe the professional quarterback who is Black as “athletic” and the White quarterback as “smart”.
The “Smart” guy “Reads” the defenses and makes the “Correct” throws. He leads his team as a ”Field General” down the field. “Utilizing” all of the weapons at his disposal”. The “Athletic” quarterback is fast and elusive, “but he does not seem to have the same command of the offense as”… “He needs to become a better passer if he wants to become great”… “He needs to stay in the pocket more so he can”… “He led his team to the playoffs, but if he wants to get to the next level he has to”…
Some people believe that the simple fact that Blacks are drafted and implemented as the team’s starting quarterback is proof positive that there is no racial bias. So, does the fact that a family can afford to move into a neighborhood because of their income, be under the protection of laws that make it illegal to harass them, while living in a country of Constitutional guarantees, mean that it is impossible for them to endure bigotry, bias and slander from those living around them? Likewise, simply being able to play quarterback in the N.F.L. does not mean that African-Americans who play the position are not subjugated to biased and tougher scrutiny than their White counterparts.
Donovan McNabb entered the N.F.L. in 1999. He has led his team (The Philadelphia Eagles) to 4 straight Conference championship games within his first 7 years in the league. Leading his team all the way to the Super Bowl after the 2004 season. In 2004, McNabb accomplished something that no one else in the history of the N.F.L. had done. He became the first person to throw for over 30 touchdowns (31) and have less than double digit interceptions (9) in the same year. He has been to multiple Pro Bowls (5) in his first eight seasons. For all of these accomplishments, Donovan McNabb has been the subject of discussions as to whether or not he should be in the future plans of the Eagles as their starting quarterback.
While age and the acquisition of a quarterback in waiting who is of a Pro Bowl caliber is and has been legitimate reasoning for choosing to let go of a great quarterback, neither his age (30) nor his backup are such. We find other quarterbacks (who are white) of his football playing stature under no such scrutiny or debate. What he has accomplished on the field (oftentimes carrying the team on his back) should allow him to “write his own ticket” in Philadelphia.
Michael Vick has been the quintessential “Athletic” quarterback. He led his College team (Virginia Tech) all the way to the National Championship game in his sophomore season. Vick was selected #1 overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 2001. After the 2002 regular season, Michael Vick led his team in accomplishing a feat that had never occurred before. The Green Bay Packers had never lost a home playoff game in their storied history. Vick led the upstart Falcons to a 27 to 7 victory. Two years later (2004) Vick guided his team all the way to the NFC Championship game. Within the first 5 years of his arrival, the Falcons had made it to within one game of the Super Bowl. Yet sports commentators say that if Vick does not do better in his passing, they (the Falcons) may want to move on without Michael Vick. Again, what other quarterback who is less than 3 years removed from an NFC title game (except for age or a top flight quarterback waiting in the wings) is talked about in this manner?
Vince Young performed the “Greatest” individual football feat in the history of football (College, Pro, or any other level). He led the “underdog” Texas Longhorns into the “backyard” of one of the “Best” teams in the History of College football (U.S.C. Trojans- 34 Game winning streak / 2-time defending champion / Reggie Bush & Matt Leinard). Vince Young threw for almost 300 yards (267) and rushed for another 200 yards. After winning this game, Vince declared himself eligible for the N.F.L. draft. Sports pundits declared that he was not ready for the N.F.L. yet. They talked “throwing motion” and about the fact that he ran so much. After taking the Wonderlic test, it was revealed that Vince did not score very high and the critics really piled on. It has been said that Dan Marino did not score very high on the wonderlic; was there a “pile on” there? What Vince Young did “on the field” was extraordinary It is hard to believe that if someone of a lighter hue would have done “on th field”, those things that Vince did against U.S.C. in the Rose Bowl, that there would even be a discussion about them declaring early for the N.F.L. draft. By the way, Vince Young, the young man that some football “experts” said wouldn’t be ready to play in the N.F.L. for at least 2 years won offensive rookie of the year honors in 2006.
It is true that there are White quarterbacks who get criticized. The criticism seems to be different however than that directed towards the Black quarterback. Peyton Manning may have been criticized for not being able to win the “Big Game”by some (before Indianapolis won the Super Bowl after the 2006 season), but it was never suggested that he should be let go or sat down. When White quarterbacks are spoken of in terms of “the team needs to look in another direction” or they need to switch to a backup, the White quarterback has usually been playing badly for an extended period of time. You would be hard pressed to find a White quarterback who has accomplished “on the field” what these 3 young men of African descent have accomplished in the same time frame and be talked about as disparagingly as they have.

Jonathan Richardson
Author/Speaker/Poet

By: Elliot

Elliot — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 05:21:32 +0000

Actually, I understand why most of you cannot withstand White women. Why drink Ripple when you can have Dom P???

By: Scramblers and Statues: The Quarterback in Black, White and Gray « Temple3

Scramblers and Statues: The Quarterback in Black, White and Gray « Temple3 — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 03:52:02 +0000

[...] Young and Michael Vick (specifically during the first 6 years of their careers was eye-opening. His piece illustrated the extent to which MSM (mainstream media) will go to blur lines, to misinterpret statistics, and [...]

By: Allen

Allen — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 17:08:18 +0000

And I went ahead and pulled Palmer’s stats from 2006.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/games/PalmCa00.htm#2006

yeah, he didn’t struggle at all. Bullshit.

By: Allen

Allen — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 16:38:38 +0000

Friedman is funny.

I actually asked for shit to flow both ways. Check my posts about everybody getting kicked.

And, if you dont’ think Carson Palmer struggled last year, and struggled horribly out the gate, than you are a liar and don’t know jack about football.

By: bcw

bcw — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 17:44:37 +0000

a guy just like friedman ruined a forum i used to read.

By: Sportsdiva

Sportsdiva — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 05:25:58 +0000

Ooops, some off-record stuff seeped into that analogy. LOL

Put it this way (and I thought this had hit MSM, but it may have not gone beyond the Stews interview)
…he said the organization, in his opinion, didn’t like ‘outspoken players’.

By: MODI

MODI — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 05:10:40 +0000

diva, I think that i missed David Justice’s assertions about the Braves, please do elaborate…

By: Sportsdiva

Sportsdiva — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 02:17:39 +0000

MODI,
“Imus comments created a “firestorm” for some, and merely additional predictable confirmation for others” Abso-freakin-lutely!! And I was among the latter.

I always find it interesting which stories hypnotize the MSM and allow them to supposedly talk race without ‘playing the race card’. (A ridiculous construct in and of itself) There are nuances, context, vicious cycles, unique circumstances with each, but it fascinates me.

R. Kelly not so much.
Vick all day.
Ray Lewis eh, a bit.
Pacman all day. Make it rain unbalanced coverage!!!
David Justices outright assertions about the Braves…nothing to see here move along. Sheff and Bonds all day.
I know, I know you can rationalize each situation with exceptions. But the elephant doesn’t disappear, he’s either ignored or moved out of the spotlight so it can shine on others.

McNabb puts the shine on and yet the elephant won’t move far enough out of the light. How inconvenient! LOL

By: MODI

MODI — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 01:53:02 +0000

Sportdiva, the whole liberal – conservative paradigm is truly the dumbest arbitrary creation ever invented. The notion that half the population thinks one way and the other half think another is retarded.

I find that people who use these words excessively must do so because they are unable to process the complexities that each individual might bring to a discussion. I’m not saying we are not all guilty of doing it at times for verbal convenience purposes, only that it is pathological with some people (Friedman) because the only way that they could possibly understand the world that we live in is to simplify it to its most cartoonish level.

By: MODI

MODI — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 01:43:17 +0000

Cut the shit Friedman. you were making a comparison from Imus to Isiah. even side-by-side in isolation the comparison is ludicrous. I would expound. but I am 100% (not 99%) sure that you would not try to understand.

Yes, I understood the “shred of evidence with regard to McNabb” post in was applying the verbiage in a different context because you seem to be a guy who like requesting hard concrete facts. On mcnabb, I thought that Jweiler gave more than a few shreds for you to chew on, so I didn’t want to be duplicative. But those inflicted with “anything-but-bigotry” disease will never see it. You have probably set the standard of proof so high in your mind that nothing short of ESPN staffers burning crosses and Mcnabb jerseys at a local klan rally will satisfy you.

Finally, one cannot separate Imus’s April comments from the context of his past history any more than a judge can separate his sentencing if a guy has 14 other crimes on his rap sheet. Just about every black journalist was boycotting Imus’s show LONG BEFORE APRIL 2007. The so called “firestorm”, shock, and awe only came from the white journalist elite and presidential hopefuls that frequented his show. I think that you know this. Imus comments created a “firestorm” for some, and merely additional predictable confirmation for others.

By: Sportsdiva

Sportsdiva — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 01:36:50 +0000

Yo, who on here gave up their political leanings?? Defined of course by, a narrow, unrealistic, simple and confining either/or paradigm. Just wondering…

By: Friedman

Friedman — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 01:23:05 +0000

MODI, way to conflate two separate things I said: job well done.

I was referring to Imus’ remarks on the Rutgers team (obviously) that created this firestorm. He is an idiot. But it was his Rutgers comments that started all this, not the other stuff you cite . . . right?

And the shred of evidence comment was regarding McNabb, not Imus. Did you read my post? Please try again.

Boy, can liberals ever answer direct questions or must they always dance around the issue, a la one of their heroes, the “president” or Iran yesterday at Columbia?

By: MODI

MODI — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 01:17:40 +0000

Friedman you say “Imus uttered two naughty words…”… here are a few “shreds of evidence” that you are completely full of shit. Let the Imus laundry list begin.

– On CBS News’ 60 Minutes he admitted, that he’d once told a colleague he hired producer Bernard McGuirk to tell “nigger” jokes. (“That was an off-the-record conversation,” Imus protested to Mike Wallace.)

– “Boner-nosed … beanie-wearing Jewboy.” (Description of Howard Kurtz of the Washington Post, a frequent guest.)

– “Knuckle-dragging moron.” (Description of basketball player Patrick Ewing.)

– “Chest-thumping pimps.” (Description of the New York Knicks.)

– “A quota hire” (Description of sports columnist William C. Rhoden)

– “William Cohen, the Mandingo deal.” (Former Defense Secretary Cohen’s wife is African-American.)

– “Wasn’t in a woodpile, was he?” (Responding to news that former black militant H. Rap Brown, subsequently known as Abdullah Al-Amin, was found hiding in a shed in Alabama after exchanging gunfire with police. Imus is here alluding to the expression “nigger in the woodpile.”)

– “A cleaning lady.” (Reference to journalist Gwen Ifill, possibly out of pique that she wouldn’t appear on his show. “I certainly don’t know any black journalists who will,” she wrote in the April 10 New York Times. The Chicago Tribune’s Clarence Page used to appear, but after he made Imus pledge not to make offensive comments in the future, he was never asked back.)

– “I remember when I first had [the Blind Boys of Alabama] on a few years ago, how the Jewish management at whatever, whoever we work for, CBS, or whatever it is, were bitching at me about it. [...] I tried to put it in terms that these money-grubbing bastards could understand.”

– “The guy from F-Troop, Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell.” (Reference to the zany Indian characters on the 1960s TV sitcom F-Troop.)

– Imus sports sidekick Sid Rosenberg: “One time, a friend, he says to me, ‘Listen, one of these days you’re gonna see Venus and Serena Williams in Playboy.’ I said, ‘You’ve got a better shot at National Geographic.’” Rosenberg also referred to Venus Williams as an “animal.”

Just getting warmed up Friedman, but here is some more eduaction on Imus: The 9 Lives of Don Imus http://www.cosellout.com/?p=3

By: MODI

MODI — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 01:09:20 +0000

“He wasn’t judged by his color when he was awarded that $85M contract and made the franchise player of the Eagles.”

Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t this article about the MEDIA’s treatment of McNabb, not Phile management. And for those who keep claiming that his criticism is simply a product of playing in Phile, how exactly would that explain the NATIONAL media coverage that has nothing to do with Phile.

J, this article was excellent and went to great lengths to dissect through all of the various BS. The only shame of your article is that I am convinced that it went unread by the critic commenters on this board, who undoubtedly went straight to the comments section to boldly state their comfortably uninformed opinion.

Cowherd’s last line that “every quarterback has exactly the reputation he deserves” is so incredibly ignorant that he should be fired from his job. What a great idea, let’s eliminate all discussions of bias off the batwith retarded blanket statements about the world being a just one.

By: Friedman

Friedman — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:53:13 +0000

You have to be bullshitting. Last year Carson Palmer struggled the entire season on his surgically repaired knee

Irony, thy name is Allen. Who’s bullshitting now? Palmer, he of the 4,000 yards, 28 TD, 62% completion rate year? Right.

Can any of you at least cite one shred of evidence, one fact to back up your “racism” claims that McNabb has been treated unfairly?

I do find it hilarious how in your attempts to “level” the playing field, you find it in your best interest to demean white players: Drew Brees sucks! Kelly Holcombe doesn’t deserve a job! Does this not make you just as worse as the people you’re criticizing?

Shit flows both ways: Imus uttered two naught words and I thought the apocalypse was upon us, given the reaction from ESPN and this site as well. Isiah Thomas make a remark re: calling women bitches (it’s okay for black people to say!), and not a peep.

By: Snevik

Snevik — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:31:10 +0000

First time I’ve ever been to the site, but the article was brilliant, and I felt compelled to reinforce that. As a Philly fan, I find it ridiculous that every time the Eagles lose consecutive games, for whatever reason, AJ Feeley becomes the preferable option. Did I say ridiculous? I meant naseous.

By: mizzo

mizzo — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:29:32 +0000

Bryd…sigh…do you honestly believe that the Eagles have had the best team in the NFL over the last five years?

By: byrdlegs

byrdlegs — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:53:15 +0000

Wow! A lot was written about the McNabb comment. Why would he make such a statement in the first place? He wasn’t judged by his color when he was awarded that $85M contract and made the franchise player of the Eagles. It only matters what the fans in Philly think. They could care less if you are white, black or green. As long as you perform, thats all that matters. True, his expectations are high, he needs to perform in the playoffs. He needs to stay healthy and he needs to put the Eagles into and win the superbowl. Other than that, he is no different than anyone else. As a Philly fan for the last 60 years, God himself would be critically judged when the big one eludes such a good solid team for the last 5 years.

By: Temple3

Temple3 — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:50:58 +0000

It’s good to see the Psychopathic Racial Personality continuing unabated. Go Boney, it’s your birthday.

By: Allen

Allen — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:32:59 +0000

Boney

You have to be bullshitting.

Last year Carson Palmer struggled the entire season on his surgically repaired knee and didn’t get half the criticism and hatred that McNabb got before he even made his comments about black QBs. If you didn’t see that, than eff you.

And if you haven’t noticed that nobody is questioning whether Dree Brees still “has it” or is reaming him for failing to live up to expectations, than eff you again.

Cause it’s BS. If you watch ESPN, read ESPN, read SI and you haven’t noticed the difference in how the struggles of individual players are chronicled, then you don’t want to see it. If you can’t see how Favre has been fawned over for the past four years, despite only truly playing well this year, well then you don’t want to see it.

Come on, Randall Cunnigham had boatloads more skill than Rich Gannon and couldn’t get half the shots Gannon got to hang around the league. Has Kelly Holcomb really proven to be that much better of a quarterback than Shaun King?

But, if you think we’re whining and carping over nothing that’s because you want to think that. Everytime somebody brings up a legitimate problem on this site your response is “Why do you care so much, it’s only sports?”
Well why do you keep responding to our stupid comments if you find them so idiotic?

By: mizzo

mizzo — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:12:05 +0000

Boney your comments are confusing in the least and laughable at best.

By: Boney

Boney — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:28:52 +0000

I love how the season is 3 weeks old and the murdering of Drew Brees and Carson Palmer has begun because of comments that put the attention of some simple minded few on QBs that don’t have the “resume” that Donovan McNabb has. McNabb has 1 good game out of 3, and Brees is 0 for 3 and all of the sudden it’s the media’s fault for not calling Brees to the carpet instead of McNabb? HA!

Cite a source clamoring for Kevin Kolb to start in Philly, and I’ll believe half the drivel some of you are spewing regarding the kid (oops! or white?) gloves that the media are using when describing the play of Drew Brees and Carson Palmer.

By: origin

origin — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:20:36 +0000

GMP I know the kids story and know about 04, 05 and 06.

I was stating his success in terms of playoffs. The one year he did make the playoffs with SD he was one and done.

He was never successful until last year.

Yeah he has been through some stuff. But he hasn’t even accomplished half the stuff mcnabb has.

By: Allen

Allen — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:03:26 +0000

GMP, I agree.

Brees struggled with a lot of factors, although his situation was no more tough than McNabb’s. They both had adversity, one has handled it better throughout his career and gotten kicked for it.

If people are kicking I want everybody kicked.

By: GMP

GMP — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 21:48:22 +0000

I agree that the media is harsh on McNabb, and I’ve made various posts agreeing with that. Just feel it is bad that in order for it to be ‘equal’, a witch hunt on another guy needs to go down. Would be nice if in order for it to be equal, they’d both be given the freedom to work their way out of the funk without a media witch hunt.

Brees whole time in SD was pretty contentious. He’d get a game or a quarter then get yanked for Flutie. His line sucked, I mean, they really sucked, trust me. Then before he had a real shot to prove himself Rivers gets drafted and then the whole city is waiting for him to fail to see what Rivers can do. The whole fan base during the Brees years was divided on Brees v. Flutie, then Brees v. Rivers.

I’m no hardcore Brees fan, just pointing out this guy has had plenty of doubt thrown at him his whole career. Was hoping he’d gotten beyond that at this point.

By: mizzo

mizzo — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 21:31:37 +0000

Exactly Allen. We’ll see how Drew responds to the firestorm that may or may not be shouted his way.

By: Allen

Allen — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 21:28:03 +0000

Dree Brees struggled early in his career, just like he struggled at times at Purdue.

His lack of height makes him much more dependent on line protection because he needs better protection to find his sight lanes and make his throws. His arm strength is good, but not great, however he is very accurate if not bothered by pressure.

However, last year he was the Lord God incarnate for turning around New Orleans. This year he already has more picks than Rex Grossman. Carson Palmer and Dree Brees have struggled in back to back years with little howling from the mainstream media. This is what McNabb is talking about. Instead of commentators saying “Get it together” they’re asking “What might be wrong.”

By: mizzo

mizzo — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 21:06:23 +0000

Tell Drew Go Blue!

Like I mentioned earlier, the media better come down hard on Brees.

No excuses.

By: GMP

GMP — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 20:52:13 +0000

Origin-

Brees had his first ‘good’ year in 04, which was Gates second year, and his ‘breakout’ year. ‘05 Brees also had a good year until the last game of the season when he hurt his shoulder. Chargers took the chance to drop him and go into ‘06 with Rivers as undisputed starter (3rd year, his arrival coincided with Brees becoming effective). Now last year Brees had an even better year than he did with the Chargers as he had better deep threats and was finally throwing the ball downfield (something the Chargers just can’t/won’t do).

Just wanted to clarify some things on Brees. That boy has been through some stuff in his career as well. Definitely not a silver spoon in his mouth.