Today in Philly Sports History: McNabb's First Start as an Eagle, 1999

After six weeks with Doug Pederson behind the controls, rookie coach Andy Reid decided it was time to move forward with the young man they selected with the second pick in the 1999 draft at the helm. Donovan McNabb had seen action before as an Eagle, mostly late in the second half of losses (the Eagles were not a particularly, uh, good team that season), but on November 14th, he finally got his first start, in a home game against the division rival Washington Redskins.

Donny had a pretty forgettable game that Sunday, going just 8 for 21 for an unspiring 60 yards and 0 scores. You wouldn't know it from the scoreboard, though, since the Eagles still managed to hang 35 points on the Redskins--mostly thanks to a 122-yard rushing day for RB Duce Staley, an 89-yard touchdown return by Allen Rossum, and a golden-toed day of field goal booting from kicker Norm Johnson, who connected four times. And though Donovan didn't register any TDs, he did manage to put points on the board on two separate successful two-point conversions.

Donovan only won one more game that season as starting QB, a 35-31 victory over an unmotivated, playoff-bound Rams team, and he never once threw for over 200 yards that season. But obviously he found his way soon enough, and the victory over the Redskins was one of just 82 he's racked up in his decade plus in the Green and White. "I never have it in my eyes or my mind that we're going to lose any game," claimed McNabb after the contest.

Comments

[bizurk]

What a long strange trip it's been. I hope that ten years from now, 5 will enjoy the same rosy glow that surrounds bygone players like Cunningham and coaches like Ryan. He is by turns stupefying and brilliant, but he has always been a fierce competitor (see AZ game on a broken ankle). Despite our gripes, I hope people will remember the good times and realize how lucky our town was to have him.

[Alex]

Don was the second pick, sandwiched between Tim Couch and Akili Smith. I think the Eagles got the best of that QB trio.

[bizurk]

@Alex - here, here

I may generally sound like a DMac apologist on these boards, but really I'm just thankful he didn't turn out like Joey Harrington, JaBustus, David Carr, or any of the jabronis in his own draft class.