McNabb Gets a Rude Welcoming

PHILADELPHIA — Rookie Eagle quarterback Donovan McNabb was saluted with an ovation when he trotted onto the field for his unexpected NFL debut.

But Warren Sapp and friends greeted him with sack dances, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers got six of their nine sacks against McNabb in a 19-5 victory over Philadelphia on Sunday.

The Eagles (0-2) gained only 150 yards and failed to come close to scoring a touchdown.

“That was one of the worst offensive performances I’ve been around,” Eagle Coach Andy Reid said. “I take full responsibility.”

Tampa Bay (1-1) won despite gaining a scant 220 yards and getting another lackluster performance from quarterback Trent Dilfer, who failed to bounce back from throwing three interceptions in a home loss to the New York Giants last week. Against the Eagles, he was seven for 14 for 89 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

“We tried to get a couple of deep balls that didn’t work out for us, but overall I thought he played pretty well,” Buccaneer Coach Tony Dungy said.

Buccaneer fullback Mike Alstott rushed 15 times for 64 yards and caught three passes for 33 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown that made the score 19-5 in the third.

Dilfer’s worst throw was a balloon ball he lofted up for grabs on the first play of Tampa Bay’s initial drive of the fourth. It was easily intercepted by Brian Dawkins, who ran it back 37 yards to set up yet another ideal scoring opportunity. The Eagles went three plays and out as McNabb was sacked twice. He finished four for 11 for 26 yards.

McNabb replaced Doug Pederson, who was 12 for 19 for 100 yards with three sacks in the first half.