McNabb still on the mark
More evidence that Donovan McNabb is fine was provided yesterday when he led the first-team offense onto the field for an 11-on-11 live scrimmage against the second-team defense. With no one in the mood to stay on the field in the searing heat, the quarterback led the offense on a 60-yard drive. It lasted all of one play. McNabb dropped back and floated a wobbly pass to new wide receiver Kevin Curtis down the left sideline.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - More evidence that Donovan McNabb is fine was provided yesterday when he led the first-team offense onto the field for an 11-on-11 live scrimmage against the second-team defense.
With no one in the mood to stay on the field in the searing heat, the quarterback led the offense on a 60-yard drive. It lasted all of one play. McNabb dropped back and floated a wobbly pass to new wide receiver Kevin Curtis down the left sideline.
After getting a few steps behind rookie cornerback Rashad Barksdale, Curtis made a tremendous over-the-shoulder catch and covered the final 15 yards to get into the end zone.
McNabb, coming off surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, has been extremely accurate during this training camp and appears ready for the preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night.
It's possible, however, that McNabb may not see the field when the Eagles travel to M&T Stadium.
"I'm not in any hurry to put him in that first game," Eagles coach Andy Reid said after the morning practice. "I just want to make sure everything is right. I'll probably take [the decision] up to the last day and we'll just see how things go."
Reid has typically let McNabb and the first-team offense play at least one series during the first preseason game, but he has said throughout this camp that he was going to closely monitor McNabb's situation.
"I like what I see from him," Reid said. "I think when you look at guys that are coming off a leg injury, particularly the knee, you want to make sure they're bending and throwing and not messing with the mechanics there. He's doing a great job with that. He's as accurate as ever and as strong as ever."
Hit of the day
Backup quarterback A.J. Feeley floated a pass in the right flat to rookie tight end Brent Celek on a third-and-8 play during the second-team offense's first encounter with the starting defense. Before Celek had a chance to turn and run, safety Sean Considine closed fast with a big hit that forced an incomplete pass.
Hit and miss
David Akers missed right on a 51-yard field-goal attempt during the morning practice. He did, however, have plenty of leg on the attempt. Just ask the fan standing 15 yards behind the goalpost who got drilled in the head by the kick.
The hits keep coming
Reid said the team would keep hitting during these final days of training camp with the possible exception of Saturday's workout, the final one open to the public.
"You back off that last day before the first preseason game," Reid said. "Other than that, you've got to get your work in. You've got to get the situation in and make sure you have everything covered."
Quote of the day
"It's always good to have a quarterback. I've never had that before." - Veteran linebacker Takeo Spikes (joking, we think) when asked about having McNabb on his side.
Today's schedule
The Eagles will practice at 8:15 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. today. The morning practice will be in full pads and include some hitting. The afternoon practice will be a full-squad workout in shorts. Running backs, tight ends and specialists will be in the autograph tent after the morning workout.
- Bob Brookover
