McNabb and Owens still a masterpiece in progress

This article was originally published in the Daily News on August 24, 2004.

It was all overshadowed by the season-ending knee injury to Correll Buckhalter, but Friday night against the Ravens, Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens showed Eagles fans both the possible glories and the perils of their still-developing relationship.

The glories were evident on that amazing first Eagles play from scrimmage. McNabb heaved the ball over a safety blitz and T.O. ran under it, sprinting away from his pursuer for an elegant 81-yard touchdown that sent Lincoln Financial Field into a frenzy.

The perils were evident in the second quarter, when McNabb anticipated an Owens move inside, but Owens decided to head upfield instead. McNabb threw the ball straight into the arms of Baltimore safety Ed Reed, who lateraled to Will Demps near the end of a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown.

People who have followed McNabb's career know that he loathes interceptions. He has the second-lowest all-time pick ratio, 2.31 (behind Neil O'Donnell, 2.11). McNabb has been criticized for being hesitant to throw the ball up for a receiver to make a play, something Owens has said he wants McNabb to do. So McNabb did it, except the receiver didn't make the play McNabb was expecting.

Both players were asked about the interception at their scheduled media sessions yesterday. Owens said "there were two guys in the throwing lane," which presumably led him to change the route. "Obviously, this week we talked about it and we saw what we did wrong," Owens said. "That's obviously one of the reasons you have preseason games, to try to work out the kinks, because you really can't get a feel for those types of things in practice. "

Given McNabb's enthusiasm for the first Pro Bowl receiver he's had to throw to, it's hard not to wonder if he is going to become fixated on No. 81.

"We have a guy that people now have to focus on, and when they focus on him, that opens up a lot of holes for the rest of the guys," said McNabb, who told a questioner he felt "very comfortable" throwing to other receivers when opponents focus on Owens.

"It was a miscommunication. We'll kind of leave it at that," McNabb said, when asked about the interception. "We were on the same page, but then it kind of went off on a different page. "

McNabb seemed to be saying he still wants to throw in anticipation of Owens' moves, he just wants to anticipate them more accurately.

"It gives him confidence, knowing that once he makes a move the ball is going to be there," McNabb said.