I have been to probably 25 Giants/Eagles games, Randall Cunningham always worried me more than Mcnabb ever did.

Just because someone is the best a franchise has ever had doesn't mean you retire his number.
- PLindbergh31

The Eagles have been pretty liberal in the "retired" number category. Nobody's worn 12 since Cunningham. 20 is retired for Dawkins.

Not to wade into any argument over football but he is the leader in almost every category in Eagles history.
- mayorofangrytown

Sure, but when that history is littered with the Detmers, Hoyings, Pedersons, Mcmahons, Bristers, Peete's etc.... It's like being the tallest midget.

I know numbers say otherwise, but I think Cunningham and Jaworski were better than Mcnabb.

The Eagles would have won the 200(4?) Super Bowl is they'd let Garcia be QB and kept Owens out.
At least that's what several coworkers have told me.
- jmatchett383

hahahhahah

The Eagles have been pretty liberal in the "retired" number category. Nobody's worn 12 since Cunningham. 20 is retired for Dawkins.
- Jsaquella

Not a big deal really. Just surprised me they were retiring his number.

That's the funny thing about team sports. You can have talent (as the Flyers do), but if you don't play as a team, you don't get the results. Columbus may not have more individual talent than the Flyers do, but they played better overall as a team.
- BringBack25

It couldn't be more true.

The Eagles have been pretty liberal in the "retired" number category. Nobody's worn 12 since Cunningham. 20 is retired for Dawkins.
- Jsaquella

This will be the 9th in 80 years.

He is the best quarterback the Eagles ever had.
- youarewrong

No. He may have the best stats, but he is not the best quarterback they've ever had. That would be Norm Van Brocklin, who actually won a championship, was a 9 time pro bowler and is in the HOF (something McNabb will never see unless he buys a ticket).

Not a big deal really. Just surprised me they were retiring his number.
- PLindbergh31

Wait, you're surprised by this?!

This will be the 9th in 80 years.
- mayorofangrytown

Should have added since Lurie bought the team.

This will be the 9th in 80 years.
- mayorofangrytown

Here is a question. Would you be okay with retiring 88?

Sure, but when that history is littered with the Detmers, Hoyings, Pedersons, Mcmahons, Bristers, Peete's etc.... It's like being the tallest midget.

I know numbers say otherwise, but I think Cunningham and Jaworski were better than Mcnabb.
- PLindbergh31

I don't think it's even close.

Not a big deal really. Just surprised me they were retiring his number.
- PLindbergh31

I was very surprised when I heard it.

Not a big deal really. Just surprised me they were retiring his number.
- PLindbergh31

Now... The question is..... Will he get Booo'd?

No. He may have the best stats, but he is not the best quarterback they've ever had. That would be Norm Van Brocklin, who actually won a championship, was a 9 time pro bowler and is in the HOF (something McNabb will never see unless he buys a ticket).
- BringBack25

van Brocklin played 3 years with the Eagles at the end of his career, and actually had more of an impact with his leadership than his play. He's in the Hall because of his time with the Rams.

I was very surprised when I heard it.
- 77rams

I was too. I figured a formal retirement/Eagles HOF thing, but the number retirement was odd to me.

excellent write-up, Bill, I'm so excited for this season and also the future of the franchise. In 3 years, our cupboard went from bare to loaded.

Should have added since Lurie bought the team.
- Jsaquella

Hell yeah, that's the truth. Not that it's undeserved but yes, he's retired 4 of the 9.

I don't think it's even close.
- mayorofangrytown

McNabb has great stats. Where he falls short (and a big part of why he usually didn't win the big games) is in the intangibles/leadership area. I know that's very subjective thing. Hard to quantify. But imo he was never really comfortable as the team leader, and always seemed to goof off when he shouldn't. Great player, not a great leader. I would not retire his number if it was up to me, but I don't really care enough to strenuously object.

Here is a question. Would you be okay with retiring 88?
- youarewrong

Those things don't matter to me. I'm more in tune with what they do in Toronto. Raise the jersey and name and keep using the number. It's tremendous for the player but as a fan... I enjoy the ceremony than it's over. I don't care if someone wore 1 or 7 or 16 or 4 or 2 again.

van Brocklin played 3 years with the Eagles at the end of his career, and actually had more of an impact with his leadership than his play. He's in the Hall because of his time with the Rams.
- Jsaquella

agreed. He's still better than McNabb though. As I just posted, the leadership is McNabb's biggest weakness imo. Plus he didn't win. NVB did. That's what counts most.

Those things don't matter to me. I'm more in tune with what they do in Toronto. Raise the jersey and name and keep using the number. It's tremendous for the player but as a fan... I enjoy the ceremony than it's over. I don't care if someone wore 1 or 7 or 16 or 4 or 2 again.
- mayorofangrytown

I very much prefer what the Leafs do. I'd have no problem if Lecavalier wore Ashbee's number 4, or if they had a goalie wear 1 or even 31

McNabb has great stats. Where he falls short (and a big part of why he usually didn't win the big games) is in the intangibles/leadership area. I know that's very subjective thing. Hard to quantify. But imo he was never really comfortable as the team leader, and always seemed to goof off when he shouldn't. Great player, not a great leader. I would not retire his number if it was up to me, but I don't really care enough to strenuously object.
- BringBack25

I'm not enough of an Eagles fan to care either but his playoff wins alone carry that argument for me at least in my eyes. I was a big McNabb supporter because I live around a bunch of racists so my arguments are down. I'm probably a little bent on the subject because of it.

Edit: I feel the same way about Randall.

agreed. He's still better than McNabb though. As I just posted, the leadership is McNabb's biggest weakness imo. Plus he didn't win. NVB did. That's what counts most.
- BringBack25

Using that rationale, Trent Dilfer's a better QB than Dan Marino.

Using that rationale, Trent Dilfer's a better QB than Dan Marino.
- Jsaquella

He isn't?

Using that rationale, Trent Dilfer's a better QB than Dan Marino.
- Jsaquella

LACES OUT DAN!