McNabb steps up leading role for Eagles

Quarterback Donovan McNabb will tell you he is still the same. Although he has gotten some praise lately by coach Andy Reid for raising his leadership profile, the 11-year pro says he is just doing what he has always done. The only change is the personnel around him in the locker room.

Gone is the veteran presence of former teammates Brian Dawkins, Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas.

In their place has stepped a core of talented young players that includes DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy.

"I think that at this particular point right now, because those guys [Dawkins, Runyan and Thomas] are gone, I guess they probably hear my voice a little more or pay more attention to what I'm saying," McNabb said yesterday as he began preparations to play Dallas on Sunday. "Anytime that you have a young group . . . you just try to provide the confidence to them. Secondly, prepare them for what you will be faced with all throughout the year. Third, I think it's more or less just going out and making sure they're having fun and being themselves."

But talking can only get you so far.

He has found that his work ethic speaks far louder.

In fact, this whole discussion of his emergence as a team leader is "overrated."

"I think if you are a rah-rah guy that's who you are," said McNabb. "You say what you have to say and you prepare yourself to go out and play well. In certain [situations] you have to step up and talk to guys and communicate with them and make sure they're on the same page."

But when it comes to yelling and shouting?

McNabb shrugged and indicated that it was not his style.

At his press conference yesterday, Reid clarified his position on the broader leadership role McNabb has assumed this year. "[McNabb] is the senior guy that Tra had been before and Dawkins had been before," said Reid. "Now he is it and he has a bunch of young guys around him, more than he has had before, at this stage of his career. He even had to step it up a notch from what he did before. He always did a good job, but he just took it up another notch."

Improving with each week since his return in Week 5 after the rib injury he suffered in the season opener, McNabb has led the Eagles to consecutive division victories over the Redskins and Giants. With an especially sharp performance against the Giants, during which the offense delivered some big plays for touchdowns, McNabb has elevated the Eagles out of the gloom that had settled over them when they were upended by Oakland 3 weeks ago. McNabb called that 13-9 loss to the Raiders an "embarrassment" and said yesterday that he has been pleased with how the team has come around.

"I challenged the guys and the rest of the guys challenged themselves individually to go out . . . and show the world who [we] really are," said McNabb, who added that he would probably wear a flak jacket the rest of the year to protect his ribs. "Guys took it upon themselves to challenge themselves to be better . . . I think any time that you feel you're embarrassed, you look forward to getting back out on the field and being able to show the type of player and person you really are."

Wide receiver Jason Avant said McNabb has always been a strong leader. "Don is more out front now because he has to be," said Avant. "Leadership is always going to be dictated more by what your actions are out on the field; the example that you set by paying attention, being on time. Unless you practice what you preach, you are going to have a hard time getting guys to follow you. But Don has always done a good job."

McCoy said he keeps his eyes and ears open.

"The biggest thing [when it comes to leadership] is probably what someone does," said McCoy. "Because anybody can say something. But can you actually go out there and perform it? Big difference. But with a guy like [McNabb], you have to listen."

Center Jamaal Jackson said McNabb leads by words and action. "We need that vocal leader but we also need someone to go out there and set an example - and Donovan does both," said Jackson. "With Dawkins and some of the others gone, he has stepped up and taken on more of a responsibility."

McNabb said he has had fun this year working with the young talent on offense. Citing the big plays that Jackson, Maclin and tight end Brent Celek are capable of, he said "it takes the pressure off what you do." But he also said young players bring with them a challenge.

"They are so talented but some are still so overconfident and you have to bring them down," said McNabb. "I think when some guys come out of college they think they're invincible and you have to make sure they understand that they're not."

The quarterback smiled and said, "They make you feel young."