| | Reid names McNabb starter for playoff game
Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA -- Donovan McNabb won't be afraid to scramble
in his first game back from a broken ankle.
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McNabb will start the Philadelphia Eagles' playoff game against
the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday night, his first action in nearly
two months. The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback hasn't played since
hurting his right ankle against the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 17.
"According to everyone else, I'm not mobile, I'm not able to
move anymore,'' McNabb said Tuesday. "I'll just let people
continue to think that and when the time comes, make sure to
showcase that a little. You run a lot faster when you don't want to
get hit.''
The Eagles were 7-3 with McNabb, who was having the best season
of his four-year career. McNabb completed 211 of 361 passes (58
percent) for 2,289 yards, 17 touchdowns and six interceptions in 10
games. He ran for 460 yards and six TDs.
McNabb was injured on the third play of the Eagles' win over
Arizona, but stayed in and tied a career-best with four TD passes.
And, he didn't scramble once the entire game.
Despite his success staying in the pocket, coach Andy Reid
doesn't want McNabb to hesitate to run.
"I want him to execute the offense just like he's been doing
over the years, and probably be a little more mobile than he was in
the Arizona game and just be Donovan. That's all I need,'' Reid
said.
Without McNabb, Philadelphia went 5-1 behind Koy Detmer and A.J. Feeley, captured its second consecutive NFC East title and earned
home-field advantage for the playoffs.
"When Donovan was hurt, I'd be foolish to say we didn't miss
Donovan,'' Reid said. "You're talking about a guy who was right
there as the top player in the NFL. To say you don't miss a guy
like that is silly. On the other hand, the other guys came in and
did a great job. But to have him back, that's a positive.''
McNabb practiced for the first time with the team last week,
taking all the snaps in practice Thursday and Friday. He was
supposed to miss six-to-eight weeks, and it will have been eight
since the injury when the Eagles play the Falcons at Veterans
Stadium.
Standing on the sideline watching Detmer and Feeley helped
McNabb.
"Just putting the ball in different spots and letting the
receivers work, Koy definitely did that,'' McNabb said. "And A.J.,
to go in and let the running backs work, get it to the receivers
and let them work and get the tight ends involved, that's something
when you sit back and watch, knowing you're going back in there,
you can use it to your advantage.''
The Falcons had a mixed reaction when they heard that McNabb
will start. Cornerback Ray Buchanan believes McNabb will be
limited.
"We'd probably rather see McNabb because he's not as mobile
right now,'' Buchanan said. "I think if we play McNabb, we have a
better chance.''
Atlanta coach Dan Reeves disagreed, saying, "That's Ray's
opinion. That isn't my opinion.''
The Falcons have some experience with scrambling quarterbacks.
Their own starter, Michael Vick, is one of the best running
quarterbacks in the game.
McNabb isn't concerned that Atlanta's defenders might take a
shot at his injured ankle. But some Falcons are worried about the
extra dimension McNabb brings to the field -- and won't be surprised
if they see him scampering.
"He's more dangerous when he's scrambling around,'' free safety
Keion Carpenter said. "I think he's at his best when he's
scrambling around and he gets guys off their coverages and he hits
people deep.''
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