In an interview given over a month ago with James Brown on HBO, Donovan McNabb suggested that being an African American QB subjects him to more or a different form of criticism than his white counterparts. The timing couldn't be worse. The Eagles are off to an 0-2 start. Throughout this recent controversy about Donovan's statements I haven't heard two people express themselves the same way in response, which is strange. No one ought to be upset with Donovan and how he feels about his critics. His feelings are a subjective personal sensibility derived from his life experience on & off the field. There is no right or wrong just an opinion however strongly expressed that no one can can dispute or disprove.
The problem I have with his statement is that he made a broad statement without a citation or example to support. The press yesterday gave him an opportunity to provide one & he failed to provide it. Failing to cite an example to support his statement, he left his comments open ended & created a vacuum that has subjected him to his present criticism. Those who have responded negatively, like Donovan can only respond based on their own subjective sensibilities on the issue. I believe Donovan has a valid point, but if you're going to cry wolf, you better point him out when help arrives.
For the last 20 years since Randall Cunningham burst on the scene, there have been two competing visions of what it takes to succeed at QB in the NFL. One camp's philosophy is to stand in the pocket, be patient & wait for the play to develop. The other camp says if the play is breaking down & you can make a play with your feet, DO IT. When your team loses, the QB is criticized by both camps, one for not running enough & the other for not staying in the pocket. It's easy to see why Donovan when reading opposite criticisms would feel he's "damned if he does & damned if he don't". I think he sees all of the criticism as coming from one original source or point of origin, when in fact both ends of the criticism are derived from two competing philosophies on how to succeed as a QB in the NFL.