Owens Spurs Eagles' McNabb to Best Season

McNabb

Owens

By ROB MAADDI, AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA - Donovan McNabb began his career passing to Charles Johnson and Torrance Small, and became a star throwing to James Thrash and Todd Pinkston. It's no surprise he's having his best season now that Terrell Owens is with the Philadelphia Eagles.

For McNabb's first five years in the NFL, he didn't have any wide receiver who caused problems for defensive coordinators or demanded double coverage. While Peyton Manning has Marvin Harrison, and Daunte Culpepper has Randy Moss, McNabb never had a top target.

Instead, he spread the ball around among a group of average receivers, reliable running back Duce Staley and Pro Bowl tight end Chad Lewis.

Owens' arrival in Philadelphia has made an immediate impact on McNabb's production, and the offense overall. A game-breaking threat each time he gets the ball, the four-time Pro Bowl wideout creates opportunities for other players even when he isn't McNabb's first or second option.

"When you have a guy like that who people have to focus on, knowing that they are going to roll some coverage over to their side, there is going to be opportunities for other guys to make plays," McNabb said.

Owens has 30 catches for 487 yards and six touchdowns in five games for the undefeated Eagles. Running back Brian Westbrook has 28 receptions, Lewis 13, Pinkston 11 and tight end L.J. Smith 10.

Owens' percentage of his team's catches (26.7) isn't among the top half-dozen in the NFL, and that sits just fine with the controversial star who was known for his tirades when he didn't get the ball enough in San Francisco.

"T.O.'s got such a great attitude. He loves to play the game. I think he helps everybody out," Eagles coach Andy Reid said.

Owens often has said he understands McNabb has a difficult task trying to please everyone in the offense.

"Donovan has to do so much and he is trying to get everyone involved," Owens said.

Last year, Thrash led the Eagles with 49 catches and Pinkston added 36. Thrash's 63 catches in 2001 were the most by a wideout during McNabb's first five seasons. Owens is on pace for 96 catches, 1,558 yards and 19 TDs, each of which would be a team record.

"I think this year people are seeing we are doing a lot of different things," McNabb said. "Yes, we do have T.O., and yes he's catching some balls for us, but other guys are making plays for us as well. Offensively, people know we are being aggressive this year."

Though the West Coast offense usually calls for short passes, McNabb has stretched the field with several long completions. Owens already has catches of 55, 55, 53, 45 and 44 yards. Pinkston caught a pass for 53 yards and Freddie Mitchell had a 48-yarder.

McNabb is third in the league with a passer rating of 103.5. He has thrown for 1,377 yards, nine TDs and two interceptions, and also run for two scores.

Kunjufu ...

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Bro..it would take me all day to explain what happened to Miami, LOL! They went down titanic style the minute Ricky I'm-quitting-football-to-travel-and-smoke-marijuana Williams announced a few days before training camp that he was leaving the game. Then they had a series of bad luck in addition to the Williams bombshell, lost some key peeps to injury, etc...now Mister Williams wants back in...me thinks it has something to do with the fact that he was ordered to re-pay the team that multi-million dollar signing bonus...plus he got hit with a paternity suit, *ashanti slaps forehead*...if they take him back, I hear he would be suspened because he flunked a drug test or two...and I doubt that his teammates would want to be around a guy who quit on them the way he did...so the trust is gone.

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New England...no surprise there...Jets, big surprise..but they made some personnel changes and got faster (on defense)from what I have heard and Running back Curtis Martin is having a good year...haven't been able to catch them on t.v. so far this season but guess what?... these two teams meet this weekend both are 5 and 0...should be a great game, we will see though.

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As for Philly...if they are going to do anything this season, this may be their best opportunity yet in my opinion...finally McNabb has some help on offense and as much as I can't stand Terrell Owens, LOL! I've got to give props when they are due...the brother has been a big difference for the team this season..as long as he keeps that ego in check...phillyshould be able tofinally turn that corner.

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Also check for my boys...the Indianapolis colts..they are 4 and 1...a couple of others teams that have come out strong...the atlanta falcons, who would have thunk they would be 5 and 1 right now?, LOL! Then there is Minnesota, they are 5 and 1...Giants are 4 and 1, another surprise...they have a new coach, so that maybe a factor as to why they are doing so much better this year.

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Biggest disappointment so far this year...Tennesse...they are 2 and 4...they traded running back Eddie George to Dallas, which kinda threw me...but they need to keep my man Steve McNair healthy...not sure though what kind of run they will have this year... It's getting late here for me at least, LOL! and I know it's much later there so will have to come back another time...niceone.gif

Ashanti: what say you..the big two match up today Patriots Vs the Jets...who's gonner win....Personally I think the patriots are going to steam roller the JETS....

I'm watching a double header, I've got the Vikings first...Hmmmm.. I'llalso be keeping a beady eye out for Mcnabb and the Eagles...will they flatter only to decieve..

Ashanti..well I can see the TV from this PC..but i hope to have my new laptop soon, and I'll be able to give blow by blow commentries in future.. Ok for now I'm going to sign off and watch the match ups.. I pop in and out just read messages..

@ K...

Okay bro...niceone.gif

By the way...the New England/New York game is scheduled for a little after 3 o'clock...so I think that's about 9 your time.

@ Kunjufu...

The Philly/Cleveland game is in overtime....tied 31 all. I got my fingers crossed.

And at the moment...New England is leading the Jets 3 nothing...it's early though....wish I could see it.

Ashanti..sorry but it isn't looking good for your boys the Jets..too many mistakes..a turn over, a fumble and now too many players on the feild..methinks the Jets are getting it today..big time..and what about the Chiefs..damn they really gave it to the opposition today..

Ashanti, the Eagles are a joke.They'll find a way to choke ....................again.

BTW Byron Leftwich (DC native niceone.gif) is really tearing up the league.

@ BS...lay offthe haterade brother.:P

As for Leftwitch... I agree, the brother got it going on.niceone.gif

Ashanti: Jets still messing up big time...is 7-13 to NE..unless the patriots get sloppy I can't see the Jets getting anything out of this game...too many mistakes.. and whats this the Dolphins rediscovering how to win...LOL..

Btw can someone tell me what the hell happened to the bears, & 49's..they are shit..