End Zone (Week 5)

1.Has Donovan McNabb hurt his Hall of Fame chances with his last two years?
KDC: Okay, w/out comparing stats against QBs already in the HOF, I had him on the HOF bubble. To me, the lackluster results in Washington last year and the pitiful periods he’s had at Minnesota already are the kind of performances that burst that bubble and get you into the Hall of Very Good. McNabb, by all accounts, is a wonderful guy, but he’s not a 40-year-old Favre whose final couple years will be dismissed as a guy playing for love and money and hanging onto glory. This is a guy who was supposed to seriously upgrade his teams, yet (at best) didn’t help them, while (at worst), actually hurt bad teams. That image lingers when it’s time to vote.
Momo:Yes he has. I love what Donovan stands for and what he has meant to the league but his last two years have really hurt his status as an elite quarterback. McNabb stature first was damaged by Shanahan by the benching in an early season game and now in Minnesota he can't bu a win. If Donovan had won a title it wouldn't look so bad because every qb has a down year every now and then but his last two years have been brutal. What McNabb's last two seasons have done is helped make a strong case for Kurt Warner entering the Hall of Fame.


2.Do you think Rex Ryan tough guy bravado will keep working if the Jets don’t win a championship in a year or two?
KDC: Those kind of guys usually burn their team and fans out over time. Even when they win. He’s done a wonderful job of revitalizing the organization, but if they continue to perform in such a punchless fashion on both sides of the ball (remember Tony Romo gift-wrapped their first win for them), then he’s made his timeline awfully short.
Momo:Rex's personality is playing well in New york but it is going to wear out pretty quickly,, especially if they don't win soon. I know the players love playing for him because Rex has their back and puts the onus all on him. He has definitely made the Jets relevant but I don't think he will be around long enough to reap all the benefits of his labor.

3.Sunday night Packers vs. Falcons, a bigger game for whom?
KDC: Matt Ryan’s been haunted ever since he got buried under a tidal wave of green & gold in the playoffs last year. They must win this game to prove they’re legit. Unfortunately, they beat the Packers last year in the regular season when the Pack didn’t have a running game, QB Aaron Rodgers fumbled the ball away at the goal line, and Tony Gonzales got a key first down on an incompletion (as replays showed). I see the Pack winning big.
Momo:This is all about Matt Ryan and the Falcons. Ryan is still having nightmares about the postseason game when Woodson and the Pack turned their season into a nightmare. Ryan has not been the same since the Packers ran all over him. He looks real uncomfortable in the pocket. The Falcons needs this more to prove to everyone that they are contenders.


4.Should a contender sign Terrell Owens, if healthy?
KDC: I’ve never been a TO fan. Certainly the ability was always there, but now that he’s on the backside of his career, it appears (assuming health) the antics have finally caught up to him & no one’s interested. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.
Momo: Owens can help a team but it would be really dangerous to bring him into a place where the team is young and contending. I'm not sure anyone is really interested in bringing all the drama into their franchise. My opinion is that T.O. does not play this year and could be done for good. Too much of a distraction even though he can contribute.

5.Thoughts on the Eagles slow start:
KDC: No one’s comfortable together yet. Plus, did they address their areas of biggest concern (O-line, linebackers, defensive backfield) in the offseason? Not especially (except for Asomugha as a corner). Now they’re paying for it when Michael Vick isn’t in there (and even when he is, like last week). There’s time to bounce back, but they should certainly be concerned.
Momo: Sometimes it takes a few games for talent to gel. The eagles have two problems:1.A defensive coordinator that used to be the offensive line coach (never a good thing) 2.Really young linebackers that are being taken advantage of and that is putting tons of pressure on the secondary. all the offseason moves have made the Eagles a target and they seem unsure on how to handle all the attention.Also ;m wondering where is Desean Jackson big plays. He has been really quiet for a guy in a contract year.