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BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- If you listen to Donovan McNabb long enough, you might think the Eagles are coming off the best 8-8 season in the history of the league. The quarterback kicked off training camp by detailing how each of the team's losses to division opponents easily could've been averted.
This was news to New York Giants' Pro Bowl representative Osi Umenyiora, who stacked up nearly half of his season sack total (13) in one game against the Eagles. But for now, delusion is bliss, and McNabb is convinced that the Eagles are poised to return to prominence in what may be the most competitive division in the NFL.
NFC East blog
ESPN.com's Matt Mosley writes about all things NFC East in his division blog.
• Blog network: NFL Nation
"I still put us at the top of the NFC," McNabb told ESPN.com Monday. "I feel confident in saying that because all the best teams are pretty much in our division. The Giants and Cowboys are coming off great seasons, and the Redskins had a decent year."
If you've followed McNabb's career outside this column, you know he's following a time-honored blueprint. When in doubt, go with bravado. Fans panicked after the Eagles lost three of their first five games in 2003, but McNabb said the road to the NFC East crown still would go through Philly. The club then won its next nine games on the way to another appearance in the NFC title game.
No fan base obsesses more about its quarterback's health than the Eagles' -- and with good reason. McNabb has had two major knee surgeries, the most recent one in 2006. It was evident from the start of last season that he hadn't made a full recovery.
"You knew he wasn't himself at all," veteran offensive tackle Jon Runyan said. "He had defensive linemen catching him from behind, so it had to be frustrating."
McNabb scrambled for 25 yards on a play against the Dolphins on Nov. 18, but he injured his ankle in that game. He returned in time to lead the Eagles to win three of their final four games, and head coach Andy Reid hopes that momentum will carry over to this season.
The Eagles weren't able to lure Randy Moss out of New England, but McNabb thinks the addition of rookie DeSean Jackson and improved health of tight end L.J. Smith will pump life into the offense.
"I thought L.J. was really a big loss," McNabb said. "But he looks great now."
McNabb thinks Smith will help improve the Eagles' fortunes in the red zone, which was a major area of concern last season. McNabb has never been a fan of fade patterns, but the Eagles appear to be intent on using the route this season. In practice, wide receiver Hank Baskett has become a consistent target for McNabb on the fade.
McNabb sounds like a man at peace, but he also has a sense of urgency. He still thinks the Eagles have the pieces in place to make a Super Bowl run, and no one will convince him otherwise.
Key questions
This was news to New York Giants' Pro Bowl representative Osi Umenyiora, who stacked up nearly half of his season sack total (13) in one game against the Eagles. But for now, delusion is bliss, and McNabb is convinced that the Eagles are poised to return to prominence in what may be the most competitive division in the NFL.
NFC East blog
ESPN.com's Matt Mosley writes about all things NFC East in his division blog.
• Blog network: NFL Nation
"I still put us at the top of the NFC," McNabb told ESPN.com Monday. "I feel confident in saying that because all the best teams are pretty much in our division. The Giants and Cowboys are coming off great seasons, and the Redskins had a decent year."
If you've followed McNabb's career outside this column, you know he's following a time-honored blueprint. When in doubt, go with bravado. Fans panicked after the Eagles lost three of their first five games in 2003, but McNabb said the road to the NFC East crown still would go through Philly. The club then won its next nine games on the way to another appearance in the NFC title game.
No fan base obsesses more about its quarterback's health than the Eagles' -- and with good reason. McNabb has had two major knee surgeries, the most recent one in 2006. It was evident from the start of last season that he hadn't made a full recovery.
"You knew he wasn't himself at all," veteran offensive tackle Jon Runyan said. "He had defensive linemen catching him from behind, so it had to be frustrating."
McNabb scrambled for 25 yards on a play against the Dolphins on Nov. 18, but he injured his ankle in that game. He returned in time to lead the Eagles to win three of their final four games, and head coach Andy Reid hopes that momentum will carry over to this season.
The Eagles weren't able to lure Randy Moss out of New England, but McNabb thinks the addition of rookie DeSean Jackson and improved health of tight end L.J. Smith will pump life into the offense.
"I thought L.J. was really a big loss," McNabb said. "But he looks great now."
McNabb thinks Smith will help improve the Eagles' fortunes in the red zone, which was a major area of concern last season. McNabb has never been a fan of fade patterns, but the Eagles appear to be intent on using the route this season. In practice, wide receiver Hank Baskett has become a consistent target for McNabb on the fade.
McNabb sounds like a man at peace, but he also has a sense of urgency. He still thinks the Eagles have the pieces in place to make a Super Bowl run, and no one will convince him otherwise.
Key questions
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