Bears still wary of McNabb's skills
Donovan McNabb, who grew up in South suburban Dolton and played at Mt. Carmel High School on the South Side, is in his 12th NFL season and will be 34 in a month.
But he's not slowing down.
After watching the Washington Redskins quarterback on film all week, Bears defenders and coaches believe McNabb's pretty much the same guy who led the Philadelphia Eagles to five NFC championship games and one Super Bowl.
“He doesn't look older on film,” middle linebacker Brian Urlacher said. “He's really playing well.”
McNabb's passer rating of 78.8 this season doesn't compare with his best seasons he has been 85.0 or higher in each of the past six years.
But he and head coach Mike Shanahan (East Leyden High School in Franklin Park) are leading the Redskins' rebuilding project. At 3-3 they're a win shy of last year's season total.
“From what we know we're capable of doing, we can score more points,” McNabb said. “In due time, we will. Good things are going to happen and I think they're going to happen very soon.”
If history is any indication, that could happen Sunday at Soldier Field. McNabb played against the Bears seven times as an Eagle and lost only twice. Five of those games, and 4 of the victories, came at Soldier Field.
“It's still special to come back home and play in front of family and friends,” McNabb said. “It seems like we play the Bears every year, but it's something I still look forward to.”
The Bears can't say the same. McNabb has faced them in each of the past three seasons and has thrown for 732 yards with 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
The good news for the Bears is they sacked him three times in each of those games, and he has been sacked eight times over the past two games this season.
“He's always been smart,” said Bears defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. “If he's slowing down, I want to see it because I'm telling you what, he's moving well. He extends so many plays with his legs.
“He's aware. You can feel it. And his arm strength is special. He's got great, great arm strength, and they go deep. They'll challenge us deep.”
It's not that McNabb can't run. He has proved over the years that he can make big plays with his legs as well as his arm.
In 10 of his 12 seasons and four of the last five, including this season, he has had at least one run of 25 yards or longer. He has 3,341 career rushing yards and a career average of 5.7 yards per carry.
“We've got our hands full,” Bears cornerback Charles Tillman said. “He's a great quarterback. He's coming home. He'll be a good match for us.
“He's got a (heck) of an arm, and he's really mobile. When that pocket opens, he's got pocket presence and speed.”
The challenge for the Bears is getting McNabb on the ground, which isn't easy considering the 6-foot-2, 240-pounder may be the NFL's strongest quarterback.
Failing that, the Bears at least want to keep McNabb in the pocket. When he's flushed from the pocket McNabb becomes even more dangerous because of his mobility and superior arm strength.
The Redskins already have 5 completions of 50 yards or more, all of them thrown by McNabb. No other team has more than 3.
“He scrambles to throw the ball down the field,” Urlacher said. “He's still good. I don't know why Philly traded him. It still baffles me.
“He's a good quarterback, one of the best in the NFL. He scrambles, he throws it well, he's got a great arm, and he knows what you're doing on defense. He's just a smart quarterback.”
McNabb is smart enough and accurate enough to have the second-lowest interception percentage in NFL history and the third-best TD-to-interception ratio with 221 TD passes and 105 interceptions.
“Donovan's an elite quarterback,” said Bears outside linebacker Lance Briggs. “He's a big part of them winning this year.”
ŸFollow Bob LeGere's Bears reports via Twitter@BobLeGere. Check out his blog, Bear Essentials at DailyHerald.com.