McNabbfest rocks on
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McNabbfest rocks on
Daily News Staff and Les Bowen
Eagles coordinators talked today, and in a shocking development, special teams czar Bobby April was not asked one question about Donovan McNabb, who returns to Lincoln Financial Field Sunday to face his former team.
The same did not hold true for Marty Mornhinweg or Sean McDermott, however.
For defensive coordinator McDermott, the challenge is that McNabb is in a different context, a different offense, than the one he ran here. McDermott said the approach is "scheming coach Shanahan's offense, with Donovan as the personnel side."
He said that involves evaluating McNabb's skill set and then looking at what the Redskins do, which is to roll McNabb out more than the Eagles did without cutting down the field -- McDermott said McNabb's arm allows him to throw to the backside on rollouts as effectively as the frontside, making it imperative that corners and safeties stay with their assignments.
The Eagles' defensive players, of course, have plenty of familiarity with working against McNabb in practice.
With one of the draft picks the Eagles acquired in the McNabb trade, they selected safety Nate Allen, named the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month for September. Allen is "a true professional at a young age," McDermott said.
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On offense, Mornhinweg said McNabb definitely influenced Michael Vick and Kevin Kolb.
"Those two quarterbacks were able to watch one of the very best in this league go about his business," Mornhinweg said.
Mornhinweg described Vick as "all about business now. He's a real pro right now."
Mornhinweg also said the offensive line "has a chance to be really good. They're working to get there."
He also said that teams are starting to key more on DeSean Jackson. "Well, yeah," he said. He also noted that some of Jeremy Maclin's success can be attributed to the attention that Jackson is drawing.
Mornhinweg praised running back LeSean McCoy's work in blitz pickup last week at Jacksonville.
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The Eagles have signed cornerback Jamar Wall to the practice squad and released safety Jamar Adams.
Wall was released by the Texans yesterday. He appeared in the season opener, posting one special teams tackle.
Wall was drafted in the sixth round by the Cowboys out of Texas Tech but was released before the start of the season.
Jamal for Jamar.— P Even- Jackson the decoy is just as important as Jackson the receiver. Let them double team him. We have a few other guys.— tacklinjoe
What is the Over/Under on McNabb having passes tipped by the DL and LBs? I'm guessing it's about 2.5. Hands up everybody, Hands up!— tornadoh
i bet mcribb blows up chunks and blames it on overtime rules a ref told him about while missing a wide open receiver with a ball that goes to the ground, through the earth and lands in Jackie Chans lap sitting at home in hong kong.— azguz- i feel mc'nabb will have a monster game.he knows whats coming,and will be ready for it.he's seen what the eagles do, first hand.so i'm sure he's let his new teammates how its coming. get the eagles ready coach....this is only episode #1..— t_darb_56
- And I bet that no matter how many new ways you find to regurgitate the same tired jokes, they still won't get any funnier.— JLB
- BOZO for president, OH-O--position already occupied by a CLOWN !!— jwatson
- Nothing left to see here...move along now.— sikofit
- moving along now— eagle beak
- LOL, glad to see you have a sense of humor eagle beak!— sikofit
- I loved the McNabb trade. I was ready to move on and rebuild. However, if I were attending the game, I would stand and cheer when he is introduced.— hawk18
donnie was best qb in eagles history.— wolf 4- Has anyone thought to mention that McNabb doesn't think, does not know the rules and especially can't remember what the Eagle defense did in his past let alone what they do today.— JACK V
- Norm Van Broklin.— JACK V
