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By Don Benevento, (Cherry Hill, N.J.) Courier-Post
PHILADELPHIA — As the Philadelphia Eagles cleared out their lockers Tuesday, much of the discussion centered on Donovan McNabb's physical condition as the quarterback led the team down the stretch in Super Bowl XXXIX.
There were differences of opinion from those who were on the field and in the huddle as to whether McNabb was suffering from concussion-like symptoms as the Eagles tried to rally — but failed — in a 24-21 loss to the New England Patriots.
"You could see there was some kind of complications," wide receiver Freddie Mitchell said. "We couldn't run the offense. There were a lot of words that he couldn't get out, so it was hard."
The question of McNabb's physical condition was first raised Monday night by center Hank Fraley.
A guest on The Angelo Cataldi Show on Comcast SportsNet, Fraley said McNabb appeared to be in a great deal of distress in the closing minutes of the game.
"He gave it his all," said Fraley, who was not avail able for comment Tuesday. "He was almost puking in the huddle. One play had to be called by Freddie Mitchell because Donovan was mumbling because he was almost puking."
However, all of this seemed to be news to receiver Greg Lewis, who also was in the huddle and caught a 30-yard touchdown pass during the fourth quarter.
"I didn't take that from it," Lewis said, when told of Fraley's remarks. "(McNabb) was coughing, but I didn't think it was anything serious. It was just that one play he didn't get the words out, but we pretty much understood what he said. It was just a little blurred, but everybody knew the play."
Lewis' version was backed up by running back Brian Westbrook.
"He was coughing, and I think he busted his lip early in the game, but I don't know how that affected him," Westbrook said. "He led us on a couple of drives after that. He hit G-Lew at the end of the game for the long touchdown, so he still had the ability to do that."
But Mitchell said the touchdown to Lewis came on a fluke play.
"It wasn't even the right route," Mitchell said. "Donovan just gave him a chance, and he made the play."
It appears the Eagles' season will end with a mystery that may never be solved. Was McNabb the victim of a concussion or some sort of anxiety attack? Or was a simple cough blown out of proportion by some players?
McNabb was on the way to Honolulu for the Pro Bowl and was not available for comment.
Eagles spokesman Derek Boyko said no injury report on McNabb was filed after the game, and he was unaware of McNabb having any problems on the field.
For the game, McNabb completed 30 of 51 passes for 357 yards and threw three touchdowns and three interceptions.
However, Mitchell seemed sure that McNabb was not himself. Mitchell said he believed McNabb could have been injured as early as the third play of the game when he was sacked by Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi.
The play was originally ruled a fumble, but it was overturned by replay.
"He got blasted on that play, and his lip was bleeding," Mitchell said. "I don't know how that might have affected him."
Asked to expand on his answer, Mitchell said: "I think the doctors need to answer anything else."
If McNabb was disoriented — and he was hit hard several times in the game — it may explain why the Eagles played lethargically in the last five minutes.
Despite trailing by two scores, 24-14, they seemed to lack any sense of desperation and didn't pick up the pace in order to get back in the game.
From the sideline, backup quarterback Koy Detmer said he didn't notice that McNabb was having any physical problems, and he said he was never told to get ready to go into the game.
However, Detmer offered an explanation as to why the Eagles chose to play the final stretch in such a methodical fashion.
"I think the thought process was to keep the whole gamut of the offense available until you feel like you have to go into a two-minute mode," he said. "Things didn't work out. It's frustrating, but hindsight is 20-20."
USA Today Story
PHILADELPHIA — As the Philadelphia Eagles cleared out their lockers Tuesday, much of the discussion centered on Donovan McNabb's physical condition as the quarterback led the team down the stretch in Super Bowl XXXIX.
There were differences of opinion from those who were on the field and in the huddle as to whether McNabb was suffering from concussion-like symptoms as the Eagles tried to rally — but failed — in a 24-21 loss to the New England Patriots.
"You could see there was some kind of complications," wide receiver Freddie Mitchell said. "We couldn't run the offense. There were a lot of words that he couldn't get out, so it was hard."
The question of McNabb's physical condition was first raised Monday night by center Hank Fraley.
A guest on The Angelo Cataldi Show on Comcast SportsNet, Fraley said McNabb appeared to be in a great deal of distress in the closing minutes of the game.
"He gave it his all," said Fraley, who was not avail able for comment Tuesday. "He was almost puking in the huddle. One play had to be called by Freddie Mitchell because Donovan was mumbling because he was almost puking."
However, all of this seemed to be news to receiver Greg Lewis, who also was in the huddle and caught a 30-yard touchdown pass during the fourth quarter.
"I didn't take that from it," Lewis said, when told of Fraley's remarks. "(McNabb) was coughing, but I didn't think it was anything serious. It was just that one play he didn't get the words out, but we pretty much understood what he said. It was just a little blurred, but everybody knew the play."
Lewis' version was backed up by running back Brian Westbrook.
"He was coughing, and I think he busted his lip early in the game, but I don't know how that affected him," Westbrook said. "He led us on a couple of drives after that. He hit G-Lew at the end of the game for the long touchdown, so he still had the ability to do that."
But Mitchell said the touchdown to Lewis came on a fluke play.
"It wasn't even the right route," Mitchell said. "Donovan just gave him a chance, and he made the play."
It appears the Eagles' season will end with a mystery that may never be solved. Was McNabb the victim of a concussion or some sort of anxiety attack? Or was a simple cough blown out of proportion by some players?
McNabb was on the way to Honolulu for the Pro Bowl and was not available for comment.
Eagles spokesman Derek Boyko said no injury report on McNabb was filed after the game, and he was unaware of McNabb having any problems on the field.
For the game, McNabb completed 30 of 51 passes for 357 yards and threw three touchdowns and three interceptions.
However, Mitchell seemed sure that McNabb was not himself. Mitchell said he believed McNabb could have been injured as early as the third play of the game when he was sacked by Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi.
The play was originally ruled a fumble, but it was overturned by replay.
"He got blasted on that play, and his lip was bleeding," Mitchell said. "I don't know how that might have affected him."
Asked to expand on his answer, Mitchell said: "I think the doctors need to answer anything else."
If McNabb was disoriented — and he was hit hard several times in the game — it may explain why the Eagles played lethargically in the last five minutes.
Despite trailing by two scores, 24-14, they seemed to lack any sense of desperation and didn't pick up the pace in order to get back in the game.
From the sideline, backup quarterback Koy Detmer said he didn't notice that McNabb was having any physical problems, and he said he was never told to get ready to go into the game.
However, Detmer offered an explanation as to why the Eagles chose to play the final stretch in such a methodical fashion.
"I think the thought process was to keep the whole gamut of the offense available until you feel like you have to go into a two-minute mode," he said. "Things didn't work out. It's frustrating, but hindsight is 20-20."
USA Today Story
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