by Natalie Faulk

Created on: September 09, 2007

Speaking of overrated players in the NFL, let's consider Donovan McNabb, quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. Being touted as the messiah, I find it humorous how any true fan of the game, let alone fan of the Eagles, can even think in some remote perfect world that McNabb will lead his team to the playoffs this season. He has only played a combined 19 games in the past two seasons; barely more than one full season's worth, if one adds playoff games.

Granted, he was one of the most decorated stars at Syracuse University, setting records for total yards, passing efficiency, and longest touchdown pass, as well as tying records for number of touchdowns and most touchdowns in a single game. But as we all know, college careers are not completely indicative of a player's worth, ability, or success at the professional level (think Ryan Leaf.)

Injuries have plagued McNabb for most of his professional career. Since his broken ankle in the latter half of the 2002 season, he has never quite looked the same. Sure, there have been moments of brilliance and several post-season appearances, but it appears that his previous confidence - confidence which earned him the second overall pick in the 1999 draft - had waned considerably. Three consecutive losses in NFC championship games as well as the loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX dulled the star's once brightly shining beacon. His season-ending knee injury in 2006, the third such situation in five years, cemented it.

Interestingly, however, despite McNabb's inconsistencies, he does currently remain the second least intercepted quarterback in NFL history at the time this article was written.

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