Over the next few weeks at The700Level, we'll be posting poll matchups as part of our Philly March Madness competition. Examine the cases of the two fine Philadelphia athletes below, and cast your vote at the bottom as to which you think should advance to the next round. And as always, feel free to explain your selection and/or debate the choices in the comments section.
(3) Donovan McNabb
When we look back at Donovan McNabb's career a decade or two for now, it might seem totally ridiculous that he was as polarizing a figure as he was during his playing days here. Booed from draft night by Eagles fans who thought Ricky Williams was the way to go with the second pick, McNabb went on to have a career far superior not only to Williams, but to all the other quarterbacks taken in the vaunted '99 draft class (Tim Couch, Akili Smith, Dante Caulpepper, Cade McNown). Leading the Eagles back to the playoffs in just his second season behind center, Donovan would eventually get the team to four consecutive NFC Championship games, including an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIX, the Birds' first appearance in the big game in a quarter century. By the time he was traded, D-Mac had set most of the Eagles' quarterback records, including completions, passing yards and touchdowns. But because he had not set the team record for Super Bowls won--just one would've done it--and because he had frequently frustrated fans with his inaccuracy and occasionally perceived lack of intensity and toughness, many had long-since called for him to be jettisoned by the time Andy Reid finally traded him to conference-rival Washington in 2010. It appears now to have been the right move for the time--Donovan's 2010 season was mediocre at best, while his Philly replacement Michael Vick had a near-MVP year--but there's no telling how miserable the beginning of the 21st century would have been for the Birds without McNabb, who rescued the franchise from the likes of Koy Detmer and Doug Pederson and turned it into a perennial contender for an entire decade. -Andrew
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The answer to the trivia question "Who was the first NBA player to win the Sixth Man of the Year award?," Bobby Jones did a whole lot more than that for the Philadelphia 76ers during his eight seasons in the City of Brotherly Love. Starting out with the Denver Nuggets in the ABA, Jones came over to the NBA in the '76 merger and was eventually traded to the Sixers as part of a deal for unapologetic gunner George McGinnis. The deal would prove to pay dividends, as the Sixers already had a surfeit of scoring, but badly needed what Jones brought to the team--defense, energy and toughness. Known for his devout Christian beliefs and values, Jones rarely boasted gaudy stat lines during his days with the Sixers, averaging just 9.0 ppg and 4.6 rpg in his Sixth-Man-winning season, but he was lauded by teammates and beloved by fans for bringing his all to every game, every night. “Bobby Jones gives you two hours of his blood, showers and goes home,” said onetime GM Pat Williams of Jones's game. “If I was going to ask a youngster to model after someone, I would pick Bobby Jones.” The Sixers' key lockdown perimeter defender off the bench, Jones helped Philly make the playoffs in every one of his eight seasons there, including their legendary fo'-fi'-fo' championship run of 1983. Bobby was recently ranked by SLAM magazine as the 159th best player of all-time, callin him a "vital piece in the [Sixers]' success because of his selfless play." -Andrew
Who should advance to the next round?online survey
Results So Far:
News
East Bracket:
(1) Julius Erving (91.8%) over (16) Von Hayes (8.2%)
(8) Simon Gagne (77.9%) over (9) Seth Joyner (22.1%)
(5) Eric Lindros (70.3%) over (12) Eric Allen (29.7%)
(4) Randall Cunningham (77.6%) over (13) Shane Victorino (23.4%)
(11) Cole Hamels (82.1%) over (6) Mark Recchi (17.9%)
(14) Tug McGraw (51.1%) over (3) Moses Malone (48.9%)
(7) Darren Daulton (74.0%) over (10) Andrew Toney (26.0%)
(2) Chase Utley (93.5%) over (15) Andre Waters (6.5%)
Midwest Bracket:
(1) Mark Howe (60.2%) over (16) David Akers (39.8%)
(9) Rod Brind'Amour (73.6%) over (8) Rick Tocchet (26.4%)
(5) Brian Westbrook (93.3%) over (12) Jayson Werth (6.7%)
(4) Mike Richards (85.1%) over (13) Trent Cole (14.9%)
(6) John LeClair (89.2%) over (11) Clyde Simmons (10.8%)
(3) Jimmy Rollins (75.8%) over (14) John Kruk (24.2%)
(7) Lenny Dykstra (51.9%) over (10) Dave Poulin (48.1%)
(2) Allen Iverson (83.1%) over (15) Jeremiah Trotter (16.9%)
West Bracket:
(1) Mike Schmidt (96.9%) over (16) Keith Byars (3.1%)
(9) Wilbert Montgomery (59.4%) over (8) Jeff Carter (40.6%)
(5) Ron Jaworski (83.5%) over (12) Bobby Abreu (16.5%)
(4) Ron Hextall (94.1%) over (13) Andre Iguodala (5.9%)
(6) Mike Quick (59.8%) over (11) Hugh Douglas (40.2%)
(3) Brian Dawkins (98.3%) over (14) Scott Rolen (1.7%)
(7) Maurice Cheeks (51.9%) over (10) Eric Desjardins (48.1%)
(15) Carlos Ruiz (58.9%) over (2) Tim Kerr (41.1%)
South Bracket:
(1) Reggie White (97.1%) over (16) Hersey Hawkins (2.9%)
(9) Troy Vincent (51.8%) over (8) Curt Schilling (48.2%)
(5) Pete Rose (85.2%) over (12) Peter Zezel (14.8%)
(4) Ryan Howard (86.3%) over (13) Jon Runyan (13.7%)