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Doug Pederson: Eagles' QB situation not like 1999

As a rookie head coach in 1999, Andy Reid drafted Donovan McNabb with the No. 2 overall pick. McNabb waited only a few months behind veteran Doug Pederson before becoming the top quarterback. Because it was Reid's first year and the team invested in a franchise quarterback, that situation has been used as a comparison for what Pederson is doing in his first season as Eagles head coach with Carson Wentz.

But Pederson cautioned against comparing 1999 to 2006. The Eagles have Chase Daniel as the backup quarterback – McNabb backed up Pederson to begin 1999 – and the team's objective was different. The Eagles were rebuilding in 1999, whereas this year's Eagles fancy themselves as contenders for the NFC East crown.

"Donovan came in as the No. 2, so different scenario this year," Pederson said. "So right now we're going to get Carson as many reps as we can. Get him caught up. Get him to where he needs to be. I'm very comfortable and excited where Sam left [organized team activities] and where he came in this year right now. Chase is a solid two. So we're just going to have to wait to see what happens down the road."

The other part of this comparison that doesn't work is looking at the two starting quarterbacks. Bradford is a former No. 1 pick who is a career starter. Pederson was a journeyman who came to Philadelphia for his first full-time starting opportunity. Even if Bradford will eventually get supplanted, his job is not nearly as tenuous as Pederson's was in 1999.

Reid designated series early in McNabb's rookie season to get him experience. McNabb attempted 11 passes in Weeks 2 and 3, and he eventually became the starter in the 10th game. Pederson said he won't do that with Wentz because of Daniel's presence. Pederson has made clear that Daniel is the backup quarterback, and he does not use 1999 as a reference point for how to deal with this season.

"We had Sam and Chase already here, so it's totally different," Pederson said. "So I didn't really factor much into that."

zberman@phillynews.com
@ZBerm