Post by EagleGene on Dec 29, 2005 8:15:34 GMT -5
McMAHON LOOKS FOR WINNING END
December 28, 2005
By BOB KENT
Mike McMahon summed up his six-game stint as the Eagles' starting quarterback in one word, "rough." But he insists he'll keep fighting until the end.
That end comes Sunday as the Eagles host the Redskins in the season finale. What happens after that is anyone's guess?
"If the coach wants me back, I'd be thrilled to be back here," said McMahon, who signed a two-year deal in March. "That's not my decision."
McMahon has led Philadelphia to wins in just two of his six starts. He has completed 44.3 percent of his passes, with three touchdowns and seven interceptions. He has also demonstrated nice mobility with a 3.7-yard average on 31 carries.
McMahon struggled mightily last Saturday in Arizona despite throwing for one touchdown and running for a career-high two touchdowns. His lone interception in the game was returned for a score.
"You definitely don't want to give the other team a turnover, let alone points," McMahon said. "You have to forget it and have a short memory."
Midway through the season, McMahon found himself leading a first-team offense that was already without receiver Terrell Owens and center Hank Fraley. That group has since been depleted further with the losses of left tackle Tra Thomas, his backup, rookie Todd Herremans and running back Brian Westbrook.
"We've had a lot of injuries, we've had a lot of misfortunes this year," McMahon said. "Sometimes things just don't go your way. It's tough, but you have to fight through it. It's frustrating when you don't get the outcome you wanted.
"It's part of the game. You keep on fighting."
Winning has not come easy for McMahon, who played collegiately at Rutgers was drafted by the Detroit Lions.
McMahon played four seasons with Detroit prior to joining the Eagles and completed 135 of 308 passes for 1,709 yards, 10 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 20 games, seven of them starts.
Philadelphia offered him a new start.
Head coach Andy Reid refuses to put the team's recent struggles solely on McMahon's shoulders.
"It's pinned at McMahon, but it's not all him," Reid said. "Everybody around him, me included, need to pick up our games."
McMahon signed with the Eagles in hopes of learning more about the West Coast offense and improving himself as a player. In the preseason, McMahon completed 31 of 50 passes for 283 yards and compiled a passer rating of 60.7.
He started the season as the third-string quarterback but suddenly found himself promoted to first-string when Donovan McNabb was sidelined.
Right now, the immediate goal is simple: finish strong.
"It was a rough season, but if we can end it on a positive note, I think it does carry over into the offseason," McMahon said.
December 28, 2005
By BOB KENT
Mike McMahon summed up his six-game stint as the Eagles' starting quarterback in one word, "rough." But he insists he'll keep fighting until the end.
That end comes Sunday as the Eagles host the Redskins in the season finale. What happens after that is anyone's guess?
"If the coach wants me back, I'd be thrilled to be back here," said McMahon, who signed a two-year deal in March. "That's not my decision."
McMahon has led Philadelphia to wins in just two of his six starts. He has completed 44.3 percent of his passes, with three touchdowns and seven interceptions. He has also demonstrated nice mobility with a 3.7-yard average on 31 carries.
McMahon struggled mightily last Saturday in Arizona despite throwing for one touchdown and running for a career-high two touchdowns. His lone interception in the game was returned for a score.
"You definitely don't want to give the other team a turnover, let alone points," McMahon said. "You have to forget it and have a short memory."
Midway through the season, McMahon found himself leading a first-team offense that was already without receiver Terrell Owens and center Hank Fraley. That group has since been depleted further with the losses of left tackle Tra Thomas, his backup, rookie Todd Herremans and running back Brian Westbrook.
"We've had a lot of injuries, we've had a lot of misfortunes this year," McMahon said. "Sometimes things just don't go your way. It's tough, but you have to fight through it. It's frustrating when you don't get the outcome you wanted.
"It's part of the game. You keep on fighting."
Winning has not come easy for McMahon, who played collegiately at Rutgers was drafted by the Detroit Lions.
McMahon played four seasons with Detroit prior to joining the Eagles and completed 135 of 308 passes for 1,709 yards, 10 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 20 games, seven of them starts.
Philadelphia offered him a new start.
Head coach Andy Reid refuses to put the team's recent struggles solely on McMahon's shoulders.
"It's pinned at McMahon, but it's not all him," Reid said. "Everybody around him, me included, need to pick up our games."
McMahon signed with the Eagles in hopes of learning more about the West Coast offense and improving himself as a player. In the preseason, McMahon completed 31 of 50 passes for 283 yards and compiled a passer rating of 60.7.
He started the season as the third-string quarterback but suddenly found himself promoted to first-string when Donovan McNabb was sidelined.
Right now, the immediate goal is simple: finish strong.
"It was a rough season, but if we can end it on a positive note, I think it does carry over into the offseason," McMahon said.
