McNabb is back

[rojan]

I hate to say this but Mcnabb looked really good tonight. He played 1 quarter and was 6 for 9 for 138 yards and lead 2 scoring drives. I a FG and the other a TD.

[zeroburrito]

hes one of the best in the league. just always gets hurt.

[Tenkamenin]

Not suprising, he is a good QB

[LaTunaNostra]

I'm watching the Patriots blitz the hell out of Vince Young.

I guess for Belichick, it's not preseason.

[5Stars]

Did he puke?

:confused: If not, good! I want him fat and healthy for the game coming up...


He's gonna need it...!

[Blue&Silver]

Oh my. I didn't expect to see them dominate like that. Carolina couldn't block for Jake, and their defense couldn't get to McNabb without blitzing a corner. I expected the offensive line to look good, I didn't expect that defensive line to look like that.

[LaTunaNostra]

Nice to see Jeff Fisher retaliating and throwing a bit of the book at Brady.

That Mumbles is a jerk.

[Bob Sacamano]

Oh my. I didn't expect to see them dominate like that. Carolina couldn't block for Jake, and their defense couldn't get to McNabb without blitzing a corner. I expected the offensive line to look good, I didn't expect that defensive line to look like that.

Carolina's front 4 is very average now, they have Julius Peppers and that's about it, their LBs? :laugh2: don't even ask, Will Witherspoon and...

Camble is mistake prone

their Oline was never very good, I don't see much hope for this team, they could struggle again

[SacredStar]

McNabb looked really sharp.

No bad QB situation in Philly. Kolb looked pretty decent too, but he'll be riding the pine this season.

Philly is going to be a very good team again this season.

[5Stars]

McNabb looked really sharp.

No bad QB situation in Philly. Kolb looked pretty decent too, but he'll be riding the pine this season.

Philly is going to be a very good team again this season.


Good...:D


That is how the Cowboys want them to be....


Watch and see...

[StanleySpadowski]

I'm stuck watching Pennington throwing pick-6s.

Peterson does look very impressive the few times the Vikings had the ball though.

[lspain1]

McNabb looked really sharp.

No bad QB situation in Philly. Kolb looked pretty decent too, but he'll be riding the pine this season.

Philly is going to be a very good team again this season.

Some of us have been saying this the entire off season. This is NOT a revelation. The folks on this forum with "their window is closing/has closed" comments are simply not paying attention. The Eagles do have some weaknesses but they remain a good team. They have a stable organization, an excellent head coach, and a consistent approach. As long as McNabb can stay healthy this season, they may be better than good.

The folks who are looking for a decline in the Eagles' fortunes better pull up a chair. It might take a while. The road to the NFC East title runs through Philadelphia this season.

[dbair1967]

I'm watching the Patriots blitz the hell out of Vince Young.

I guess for Belichick, it's not preseason.

so what? I've never thought teams should go easy on people in preseason...practice the way you intend to play...if your a blitzing team playing a multiple front set (as NE will prob be) then thats what you practice

Young was terrible...5/17 and a lost fumble

David

[dbair1967]

McNabb looked really sharp.

No bad QB situation in Philly. Kolb looked pretty decent too, but he'll be riding the pine this season.

Philly is going to be a very good team again this season.

we'll see when the games count...Philly certainly didnt look like a good team a week ago did they?

David

[AdamJT13]

He played 1 quarter

He did get four possessions in that one quarter.

And you've got to love the Eagles' running stats this preseason -- 49 carries, 90 yards, 1.8 yards per carry. Westbrook has nine carries for 20 yards.

[Big Dakota]

Doesn't surprise me. I hate the Egirls and McPuke, but i also respect his game and IMHO he's as good a there is when he's on his game(OR THE CHIPS AREN'T DOWN;) ) He'll be all pro or close to it if he's healthy, then he'll aspirate his team's season in the end:lmao2:

[dbair1967]

He did get four possessions in that one quarter.

And you've got to love the Eagles' running stats this preseason -- 49 carries, 90 yards, 1.8 yards per carry. Westbrook has nine carries for 20 yards.

same 'ol Eagles

David

[Clove]

I can't wait to see our new-look blitz scheme against McNabb and company. This year should be fun.

[Chocolate Lab]

Some of us have been saying this the entire off season. This is NOT a revelation. The folks on this forum with "their window is closing/has closed" comments are simply not paying attention. The Eagles do have some weaknesses but they remain a good team. They have a stable organization, an excellent head coach, and a consistent approach. As long as McNabb can stay healthy this season, they may be better than good.Yep, and I think Curtis and Schoebel were two very good, low-cost additions.

I think our best hope is that their D slowly deteriortates from what it was. Bunkley and Patterson I'm not sold on at all. And Trotter and Dawkins are just another year older.

But they're definitely going to be good. And McNabb is a player, enemy or not.

(Doesn't mean we can't overtake them, though. ;))

[McCordsville Cowboy]

I wipe with McNabb Jersey's..

[ScipioCowboy]

Carolina's front 4 is very average now, they have Julius Peppers and that's about it,

Perhaps, but I was always somewhat partial to Mike Rucker. He did lead the league in sacks at one point.

[smarta5150]

I will be more impressed if McNabb can keep up the strength in his knee for more than 1 quarter of play.

Add some pressure forcing him to scramble a bit will also play huge part on his reconstructed knee (peppers didnt even play for Carolina tonight).

The Pre Season means very little next to nothing... McNabb will have time to prove himself and that begins in September, until then, who knows how sharp and healthy McNabb will actually be.

[Achozen]

I can't wait to see our new-look blitz scheme against McNabb and company. This year will be fun.
Fixed.

[Crown Royal]

I don't know what surprises me more. That people might be shocked that the eagles and their QB are still talented.



Or that Carolina and their QB isn't.

[Clove]

Fixed.Appreciate that, that's what I was wanting to say. ;)

[lane]

I'm watching the Patriots blitz the hell out of Vince Young.

I guess for Belichick, it's not preseason.


oh look everyone...........mike vick's favorite fan is back.

[lane]

I don't know what surprises me more. That people might be shocked that the eagles and their QB are still talented.



Or that Carolina and their QB isn't.

donovan mcnabb is anything but talented..

he's a punk just like vick.

throws a decent deep ball and can scramble..

[Rampage]

donovan mcnabb is anything but talented..

he's a punk just like vick.

throws a decent deep ball and can scramble..
:laugh2: that was good

[DallasDomination]

When Did He leave?

He's a good qb but aint nobody scared...bring it on Eagles.

[CanadianCowboysFan]

Why is it when we win in preseason it is meaningless but when the Eagles win, it means they are awesome.

When we lose in preseason, it means we suck bag, but when they lose, it is irrelevant?

[Coakleys Dad]

Why is it when we win in preseason it is meaningless but when the Eagles win, it means they are awesome.

When we lose in preseason, it means we suck bag, but when they lose, it is irrelevant?
That was...:money:

[Daudr]

A little OT, but how did Carr look in the game?

[Blue&Silver]

A little OT, but how did Carr look in the game?


Horrible. In fact the big Texan the Eagles drafted look better than any quarterback on Carolina's roster.

Preseason games are just that. It's stupid to anoint the Eagles the next Super Bowl champion off one preseason game. It's equally as foolish thinking they're finished after their first preseason game.

Julius Peppers didn't play for Carolina. Jevon Kearse, Brian Dawkins, Shawn Andrews, LJ Smith didn't play for the Eagles.

[THUMPER]

I hate to say this but Mcnabb looked really good tonight. He played 1 quarter and was 6 for 9 for 138 yards and lead 2 scoring drives. I a FG and the other a TD.

I watched quite a bit of that game and I have this to say: Don't underestimate the Eagles.

Their running game is still anemic but their passing game is very good and utilizes every possible receiver to good effect. Considering how poorly we were at covering RBs & TEs last year I hope Wade has an answer for it when we play teams like Philadelphia.

Their O-Line gave McNabb lots of time to throw even with Shawn Andrews out.

Their defense was also clicking and that was without a number of their big name starters like Dawkins and Kearse. Even without them they were able to put consistent pressure on DelHomme as well as cover Steve Smith like a blanket.

As for the Panthers, they looked great last week but completely overmatched this week. I realize that it is pre-season and teams aren't game-planning and guys are not playing the full game or giving 100% effort because they don't want to get hurt but they looked pretty pathetic last night.

Carolina kept their starters in for the entire first half but were unable to get anything going against the Eagles' 2nd string. DelHomme seemed to be locked onto Steve Smith every time he went back to pass but the Eagles had him covered very well and he only caught 2 passes.

Their running game looked pretty good but they didn't run often enough to really get into a rhythm with only 8 attempts while passing 18 times.


The lack of a running game will hurt the Eagles when we play them and I don't think McNabb will have all day to sit back and wait for his receivers to get open against us (like he has in the past). He is not quite the threat to run like he used to be but that is still a concern when you blitz him.

Their defense is vulnerable to the run as well so if Garrett/Romo can be patient we can move the ball against them. Keeping mistakes down and staying unpredictable can beat their defense. When you get careless, they are effective at capitalizing on mistakes and can force you into playing catch-up, making you one-dimensional. That's what they did to the Panthers last night.

I am looking forward to our matchups with them this season and expect a fight between us for the division crown again.

[big dog cowboy]

The lack of a running game will hurt the Eagles when we play them and I don't think McNabb will have all day to sit back and wait for his receivers to get open against us (like he has in the past).
I certainly hope you are right. I'd love to see Roy to pick 6 on McFlub again.

[tunahelper]

Some of us have been saying this the entire off season. This is NOT a revelation. The folks on this forum with "their window is closing/has closed" comments are simply not paying attention. The Eagles do have some weaknesses but they remain a good team. They have a stable organization, an excellent head coach, and a consistent approach. As long as McNabb can stay healthy this season, they may be better than good.

The folks who are looking for a decline in the Eagles' fortunes better pull up a chair. It might take a while. The road to the NFC East title runs through Philadelphia this season.

Agreed, but Dallas bought a huge road paver named Bigg and this will make for a smoother ride!
:D

[Bizwah]

I didn't see the game. His numbers were very impressive though. He could very well make them a Super Bowl contender again. Like many, I'd love to have us knock them off while they're on top.

A point to ponder though.

They were embarrassed the other night vs the Ravens. Reid and Co had a little more motivation for this game. He pretty much vowed they would look better.

I'm not saying he gameplanned....or played this game like a SB. But when teams are routed like the Eagles were the other night in PS, then coaches will squeeze a little more out of their team to get the bitter taste from their mouths.

[TheSkaven]

President of McNabb Haters Club here. He did look quite good. It's still just pre-season, but I'd say he looked better than he did last year. He was mobile, his throws were right on target (which is unusual, by the way) and he hit receivers in stride.

Fantasy alert! Kevin Curtis appears to be the #1 wide out in Philly. He looks like a reliable, consistent target (Reggie Brown gets no separation, looks like another bust).

Anyway, Carolina didn't blitz, this is just pre-season, and McNabb did have two huge packs of ice on both his knees after halftime. Also, I would say Romo looked just as good last week.

[THUMPER]

President of McNabb Haters Club here. He did look quite good. It's still just pre-season, but I'd say he looked better than he did last year. He was mobile, his throws were right on target (which is unusual, by the way) and he hit receivers in stride.

Fantasy alert! Kevin Curtis appears to be the #1 wide out in Philly. He looks like a reliable, consistent target (Reggie Brown gets no separation, looks like another bust).

Anyway, Carolina didn't blitz, this is just pre-season, and McNabb did have two huge packs of ice on both his knees after halftime. Also, I would say Romo looked just as good last week.

McNabb did look good but then so did Feeley and Kolb. I was more impressed by the overall passing game of the Eagles and by how well their 2nd string defense did against the Panthers starting offense.

[Angus]

McNabb, Sheppard ignite Eagles' win
By Bob Brookover
Inquirer Staff Writer

Donovan McNabb, Lito Sheppard and the Eagles all returned last night at Lincoln Financial Field.

After all three were absent during Monday night's lopsided loss in Baltimore, McNabb and Sheppard came back from injuries and triggered the Eagles' 27-10 rout of the Carolina Panthers.

The win evened the Eagles' exhibition record at 1-1 and should have eased any concerns that lingered from the game in Baltimore. More important, the evening's events should alleviate all concern about McNabb's readiness for the season. McNabb missed the final six games of last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

"It was good to see Donovan get back in there," coach Andy Reid said. "I thought he played very well. It looked like he was confident. It didn't look like his knee was bothering him, and he looked just like he did in practice. I liked the way he threw the ball."

McNabb, wearing a protective brace on his surgically repaired knee, could not have been any more precise than he was during his 15 minutes of work against the Panthers. He completed 6 of 9 passes for 138 yards while leading the team to a field goal and touchdown on four possessions.

"I think we did some good things," McNabb said. "I think we have a long way to go, but it's still exciting to see what we're able to do. I didn't even think about [the knee]. I know it's stronger, and I just want to make this football team go."

After receiving a warm ovation from the crowd when he took the field following the opening kickoff, McNabb needed just one play to ignite an even louder crowd reaction. With Kevin Curtis a step behind cornerback Ken Lucas along the left sideline, McNabb hit his newest receiver in stride for a 27-yard gain.

On the next play, McNabb answered the mobility question by overcoming a slip before rolling to his right and finding Jason Avant for a 16-yard gain to the Carolina 33-yard line.

A false-start penalty on center Jamaal Jackson and a running play that resulted in a 2-yard loss eventually forced the Eagles to attempt a 52-yard field goal, which David Akers converted for a 3-0 lead.

McNabb was even better the next time he stepped onto the field, finding his two tight ends for a couple of huge completions during a five-play, 87-yard touchdown drive. After Brian Westbrook covered 8 yards with a pair of runs, McNabb hit rookie Brent Celek over the middle for 18 yards and a first down.

The quarterback then made a remarkable pass to veteran tight end Matt Schobel, who got behind cornerback Chris Gamble and safety Chris Harris for a 58-yard gain to the 3. Rookie running back Tony Hunt scored on the next play.

McNabb completed just one more pass for a 13-yard gain to Curtis on the Eagles' next two series, and his night ended after he was thrown for a 9-yard loss on a sack by Carolina's Stanley McClover and Thomas Davis that knocked his helmet off.

When McNabb stood and trotted off, he received yet another ovation.

"For the first unit, I think we were able to click on all cylinders, which is a positive," McNabb said. "We were able to make some plays, get the guys involved, starting with Kevin. We hit Matt Schobel on the deep one. We got Westbrook involved."

Things worked out just as well for the Eagles' first-team defense. After giving up a 93-yard touchdown drive to the Ravens to open the preseason, the starting defense pitched a shutout and, thanks to Sheppard, even provided a touchdown.

The Panthers went three-and-out on their first two drives, then defensive end Juqua Thomas forced a fumble with a sack of quarterback Jake Delhomme late in the first quarter. Defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley ended up with the ball at the Carolina 41.

For Sheppard, it was his first game since he dislocated his elbow during the playoff win against the New York Giants in January. Sheppard missed the first preseason game because of a strained oblique muscle.

"It feels good to get back out there with the guys," he said. "I told the guys at the beginning, 'Last week is last week. Just go out and do our thing. Relax, have fun. We're in front of our home crowd, so let's put on a show.' "

Sheppard's contribution to the show came early in the second quarter. The blitzing duo of Quintin Mikell and Chris Gocong put pressure on Delhomme as he released a throw intended for Steve Smith. Sheppard stepped in front of the Panthers' star receiver for an interception and returned the ball 40 yards for a touchdown. Sheppard covered the final yard by dragging Smith across the goal line with him.

"I was an offensive player at one point, so I guess every time I get the ball, I play offense," said Sheppard, who has three career interception returns for touchdowns. "That's my time to show my running skills, so every time I get it, I just try to score with it."

Sheppard said the defense talked about what happened in Baltimore.

"It was basically [a lack of] effort," he said. "We addressed that situation after we watched the film, and guys just wanted to come out here and show what we were really about. That was the first preseason game, and it is what it is, but that's not characteristic of us to put on that type of showing. So this week, we definitely wanted to come out and show what type of football we're capable of playing."

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/20070818_McNabb__Sheppard_ignite_Eagles_win.html

[Sarge]

donovan mcnabb is anything but talented..

he's a punk just like vick.

throws a decent deep ball and can scramble..

If you can't acknowlege that McNabb is talented, I don't know what you've been watching the last few years.

Injury prone? Perhaps.

"Anything but talented" - ridiculous IMO/FWIW.

Carry on.

[Chocolate Lab]

For what it's worth, the game is on NFLN right now.

Not to make excuses, but honestly, Carolina just hasn't shown up. They aren't showing much effort on either side of the ball. They look more like the Raiders in this game.

[InmanRoshi]

same 'ol Eagles

David

Considering they've won the NFC East 5 out of the last 6 years, lets hope not.

[Chocolate Lab]

Kevin Curtis is eating Ken Lucas' lunch. I'm telling you, don't be shocked when he catches a lot of passes on us. Wish we'd gone after him.

[InmanRoshi]

Carolina's front 4 is very average now, they have Julius Peppers and that's about it, their LBs? :laugh2: don't even ask, Will Witherspoon and...

Camble is mistake prone

their Oline was never very good, I don't see much hope for this team, they could struggle again

Yeah, the Panthers are still held in high esteem because they're living off of the reputation of the team that went to the Superbowl three years ago. But when you look at core of that Superbowl team ... Rucker, Morgan, Delhomme, Mohammed, Minter, Buckner, Jenkins ... they're either gone, retired or shells of their former selves. They still have some great players like Peppers and Smith, but they have nowhere near the quality of starting 22 as they once had.

[playmakers]

I seen the game and have to say dont get too carried away with Mcnabbs numbers. The throw to Schobel for like 70 yards was nice ill give him that. With that being said, the Panthers played the game as if "we're saving it for the season." I beileve they play in the season. All they did was rush 4 guys and play a very vanilla defense. Fox has been in the NFC East, hes not a dummy and he knows to hide his plays. They blitzed once and Mcnabb was sacked. The jury is still out but I will say the Eagles need to be blitzed this year.

[Chocolate Lab]

Yeah, the Panthers are still held in high esteem because they're living off of the reputation of the team that went to the Superbowl three years ago. But when you look at core of that Superbowl team ... Rucker, Morgan, Delhomme, Mohammed, Minter, Buckner, Jenkins ... they're either gone, retired or shells of their former selves. They still have some great players like Peppers and Smith, but they have nowhere near the quality of starting 22 as they once had.

I agree, IR. Even though in this particular game they don't look as intense as the Eagles, probably due to preseason and the Eagles wanting to make up for looking bad last week, it seems like the Panthers' talent base has slowly eroded away. Delhomme and Morgan are just older and slower. They've lose Minter and Witherspoon, among other. And some of these replacements for departed guys on defense don't look so hot -- guys like Gamble and Thomas Davis seem just okay to pretty good. They still can't seem to find anyone to take pressure off Steve Smith, and their o-line looks average at best.

[Vintage]

Carolina's front 4 is very average now, they have Julius Peppers and that's about it, their LBs? :laugh2: don't even ask, Will Witherspoon and...

Camble is mistake prone

their Oline was never very good, I don't see much hope for this team, they could struggle again

Witherspoon plays for the Rams.

[Bob Sacamano]

Perhaps, but I was always somewhat partial to Mike Rucker. He did lead the league in sacks at one point.

but he's 32 years old, and for the last 3 years has averaged only 5 sacks a season, I know we don't have ends like that, but just shows that Mike is on the downward spiral of his career, he only had 5 last year, and this is with Julius Peppers going psycho on teams early in the year, no doubt drawing alot of double and sometimes triple teams

[Bob Sacamano]

Witherspoon plays for the Rams.

then it just looks worse

[dbair1967]

Considering they've won the NFC East 5 out of the last 6 years, lets hope not.

still zero championships though right?

and obviously my comment was directed at their lack of ability (or even real attempt) at running the balls consistently...it costs them every yr

David

[dbair1967]

Kevin Curtis is eating Ken Lucas' lunch. I'm telling you, don't be shocked when he catches a lot of passes on us. Wish we'd gone after him.

that'll be hard for their QB to do, because they are going to be on their backs alot (regardless of who it is)

David

[Smashmouth24]

still zero championships though right?

and obviously my comment was directed at their lack of ability (or even real attempt) at running the balls consistently...it costs them every yr

David

and his response was directed at their ability to win the division despite an inconsistent running attack, virtually eliminating the rest of the NFC East from Superbowl contention

[Howley54]

and his response was directed at their ability to win the division despite an inconsistent running attack, virtually eliminating the rest of the NFC East from Superbowl contention

Yeah but McNabb's back, and Garcia's not. McNabb was on pace to rack up some great numbers last year, but fact is, they were 5-5 in games that he started.

[McCordsville Cowboy]

McNabb is more questionable than Jeff Garcia's Sexuality..

[TunaFan33]

I'm not a McNabb hater-to be frank, my hatred for him and the Eagles are b/c of the rude, classless, and crude fans-b/c of them, I hope the Eagles lose EVERY game.(and to DMac's credit-he said the 72K+ fans that cheered Mike Irvin's injury was the most disgusting thing he witnessed)

Anyhow-what if DMac was wearing the Star uniform? When Danny White took our team to THREE STRAIGHT NFC Title games, everyone nonetheless called him a dissapointment. DMac, OTOH, does the same thing with the Eagles(albeit a Super Bowl birth in year 4), but he's being hailed as an HOFer.

DMac is a great player, and he had a heck of a game the other night. But if he were playing for us, the bar for excellence would be raised a heck of alot higher.

[Mavs Man]

I'm not a McNabb hater-to be frank, my hatred for him and the Eagles are b/c of the rude, classless, and crude fans-b/c of them, I hope the Eagles lose EVERY game.(and to DMac's credit-he said the 72K+ fans that cheered Mike Irvin's injury was the most disgusting thing he witnessed)

Anyhow-what if DMac was wearing the Star uniform? When Danny White took our team to THREE STRAIGHT NFC Title games, everyone nonetheless called him a dissapointment. DMac, OTOH, does the same thing with the Eagles(albeit a Super Bowl birth in year 4), but he's being hailed as an HOFer.

DMac is a great player, and he had a heck of a game the other night. But if he were playing for us, the bar for excellence would be raised a heck of alot higher.

:trophy:

Exactly. When that is your trophy case, the bar ain't too high.

[zrinkill]

We here this crap every year ..... and every year Mcnabb ends the season on the sidelines with either a part of his body wrapped up or sick to his stomach.

pardon me if I yawn.