Trying to just relax
Posted: Tuesday March 16, 1999 03:34 PM
Click here if you
have a question for Donovan McNabb. He'll answer a question or two in each
week's diary entry.
There are just a couple of weeks left leading up to the NFL Draft, and
while I'm still working out, I'm glad this is a time when I can just relax
and have some fun. Last week, I met with the Bengals and Seahawks, and I
thought everything went well.
It would definitely be exciting to play in Mike Holmgren's offense in
Seattle -- just watching Green Bay as they won their championship with Brett Favre, I can
remember visualizing myself in that role and thinking I could add another
dimension to the offense. In Cincinnati's case, they already have a few
veteran quarterbacks there in Neil O'Donnell and Jeff Blake, but if it were
to happen that they took me in the draft, I'd still go in there and
visualize myself as the starter there and try to open up some eyes. Some of
the big quarterbacks in the draft are still having workouts with teams, but
it's starting to be a wait-and-see type period -- these last few weeks will
go by fast.
I've gotten a lot of questions asking if I can be a drop-back passer in the
NFL -- most people think of a drop-back passer as someone who throws the
ball 30 or 40 times a game. But if you throw it only 20 times a game and
your completion percentage and your accuracy are there, is it really any
different?
I think all quarterbacks should just be known as quarterbacks -- if someone
is able to use their feet as well as their arm, it shouldn't take anything
away from their game. If you drop back five or seven steps and all you can
do is drop back, you're going to find Bruce Smith or Derrick Thomas coming at
you and dropping you for a sack. If you're able to move around and maybe
pick up a first down running, there's nothing wrong with that. Teams don't
bring up that question anymore -- I've worked hard to eliminate those
concerns. In the postseason games and workouts, I've had the chance to
erase some of the criticisms. Draft Mailbag
If you had a chance to pick any veteran quarterback to train you in the
NFL, who would it be? -- Matt Kohashi, Arlington, Va.
I don't think there's just one, but if I had to choose, I'd say it would be
Warren Moon. With all
that he's been through and the things he's been able to accomplish, I think
I could learn a lot from him, and would be very beneficial to me. I had a
chance to meet him at the Super Bowl this year -- we didn't get to talk
much beyond a "Hello, how are you?" but it was nice to meet him.
You had some memorable games in college -- against Miami in 1998, you
were almost unbelievable. Was that your most memorable game, or was there
another game that sticks out more in your mind? -- Joe Joseph, Deltona,
Fla.
That was a good one, but the Virginia Tech game in 1998 is probably my
favorite. We were down 21-6 at halftime, came back and took the lead, then
were trailing again in the last minute and had to drive for a touchdown to
win. We converted a fourth down at midfield and wound up having one shot at
the end zone -- we got the winning touchdown as time expired and the home
crowd was great. That was really something special for all of us.
Former Syracuse quarterback Donovan McNabb is expected to be a high
first-round draft pick in the 1999 NFL Draft in April. Check back each week
for another draft diary from him at CNNSI.com.
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