Eagles Notes: Eagles' Allen: No added pressure

When the Eagles drafted safety Nate Allen 37th overall in April using the primary pick received in the Donovan McNabb trade, he was immediately asked about the pressure he might face.

Allen shrugged it off then, and again this week as he prepares to face McNabb.

"I want them to feel like they got their worth out of picking me, but otherwise, not really," he said of any added pressure. "I don't play quarterback, so it's not like I'm competing with him."

Allen did play quarterback in high school and said he owned a McNabb jersey back then. But he also had a Michael Vick jersey.

Allen, the NFC rookie of the month for September, has two interceptions and a sack and has earned raves for his maturity.

"He's a true professional at a young age," said defensive coordinator Sean McDermott.

Said Allen, "It's a compliment to the veteran guys that helped me out and to the coaching staff for taking time with me."

LeSean McCoy's numbers from Sunday don't pop out: 11 carries for 54 yards, two catches for 7 yards. But offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said McCoy stood out with his blocking.

"The stats don't show it, but I think LeSean may have had one of his better games," Mornhinweg said Thursday. "He did an excellent job with his blitz recognition."

Mornhinweg said experience has made it easier for McCoy to react quickly and physically in his second year in the NFL.

"If you know what you're doing and you recognize it very quickly - boom - you can utilize your physical ability," Mornhinweg said. "I think that was a dramatic jump for him from last year."

The long-awaited game has become StubHub.com's top-selling game of the week.

The site, which had more than 3,000 tickets for the game, said fans were paying an average of $226 at midweek to get into the Linc, with standing room going for $96. Philadelphia-area fans were outnumbering those from Washington by about 6-1.

Guard Nick Cole (knee) and running back Mike Bell (illness) did not practice Thursday. . . . Practice was moved indoors because of rain.