Just a normal week …

Or so McNabb claims before facing Eagles

ASHBURN – This is the week Donovan McNabb says is like any other. Except, of course, for the reporters crammed around him at his weekly news conference — including more than a dozen from out of town. And except for the fact he’s preparing to play the team for which he starred 11 seasons — the same team that traded him away in the offseason.

Yep, a normal week.

Week 4 » Scouting the Eagles1. Michael Vick has improved » Vick has always been good with his feet, as everyone knows. But he’s doing a better job of keeping his eyes downfield as he scrambles. With speedy receivers such as DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, it’s imperative that he does so. It’s how he hit Maclin for a touchdown last week. This only makes Vick more dangerous. If defensive backs leave their receivers too early, he is better at finding them. It helps that Vick has better wideouts downfield than he’s ever had.2. The defense is inconsistent » Philadelphia is hurt when it faces fast tight ends — which the Redskins have — and versatile running backs who cause mismatches for LB Ernie Sims when they line up as receivers. The Redskins don’t have that guy. It’s how Detroit rallied in Week 2. Philadelphia allowed 27 points to Green Bay but just six after halftime. The Eagles have cut back on their blitzes, a strategy that used to be a staple.3. The offensive line is a concern » Center Mike McGlynn will make his third career start and is only doing so because Jamaal Jackson was lost for the season. At right guard, Nick Cole is starting but is best suited as a backup — and he might not be able to play this week, which means Reggie Wells would take his place. He at least is experienced with 90 starts but arrived via a trade just before the opener. The Eagles have allowed 14 sacks.4. LeSean McCoy is a threat » Though others get more attention, McCoy is off to a good start with 209 yards and four touchdowns. More impressive: He’s averaging 6.1 yards a carry. The Eagles like to spread the field and then run McCoy. Because he’s fast hitting the hole, he doesn’t need a lead back. He’s also dangerous on screens, having caught 11 passes for 62 yards. But he tends to dance through holes, and that’s an issue.

McNabb has clung to the notion for months that his return to Philadelphia will be treated as if he’s going to play any old team.

Redskins ConfidentialRedskins notes and analysis 9/29/10Redskins notes» Left tackle Trent Williams (knee/toe) was limited in practice. His status for Sunday won’t be determined until Friday, but Williams was limping slightly as he left the practice field. » Guard Kory Lichtensteiger (knee), corner DeAngelo Hall (back) and nose tackle Anthony Bryant (head) also were limited. Coach Mike Shanahan said Hall injured his back in the weight room before practice but said it’s “not too serious.” » Wide receiver Anthony Armstrong (groin) and safety Chris Horton (ankle) both practiced Wednesday. Neither played Week 3 vs. St. Louis. Meanwhile, Philadelphia guard Nick Cole (knee) did not practice.» Punter Josh Bidwell (hip) visited a specialist in Tennessee on Wednesday to determine the severity of his injury. The Redskins worked out three punters Tuesday: Hunter Smith, Sam Paulescu and Jeremy Kapinos.
Up nextRedskins at EaglesWhen » Sunday, 4:15 p.m.Where » Lincoln Financial Field PhiladelphiaTV » FoxRadio » 730 & 980 AM/92.7 & 94.3 FM/Sirius 123

“I’m still gonna downplay it,” he said.

That will be difficult to do. McNabb was the face of the franchise for more than a decade. He led the Eagles to five NFC championship games and one Super Bowl appearance. He owns most of their passing records and didn’t let a tough city beat him down.

Convincing anyone that this game is not somehow a little bit bigger is difficult to accomplish.

“It’s hard to tell if this is a bigger week for him,” center Casey Rabach said. “I’m not going to bring it up to him. But I think any player that did so much for an organization, it obviously will mean a little more. It’s got to.”

Still, McNabb said he hasn’t thought about how he’ll feel when he runs onto the field.

“I just hope I walk out of the right tunnel,” he joked.

McNabb has maintained contact with a number of former teammates, including quarterbacks Michael Vick and Kevin Kolb, as well as coach Andy Reid — the man who traded him. He text messages each one often, though not this week.

“I’m a huge Donovan McNabb fan,” Reid said. “I told him I’m still pulling for him, except for two games. I’m still friends with him.”

McNabb returned those love volleys.

“The organization means a lot,” he said of the Eagles. “The coaches mean a lot. Eleven years is not [something] you can forget about in a week or a year. We had a lot of success. The records I hold there are due to Andy taking that chance on me [in the 1999 draft] and the guys I played with. … But life moves on, and I want to have that success in Washington.”

Then there’s the question of how McNabb will be received by the fans, some of whom — and perhaps a small minority — famously booed him the day he was drafted.

But McNabb anticipates cheers upon his return, partly because of a crucial point: He did not ask to be traded.

And yes, he knows the reputation of Eagles fans and booing.

“But it was 11 great years,” he said. “You wouldn’t expect me to say I’m going to get booed, do you? Eleven great years. That’s something you just can’t forget.”

McNabb hasn’t. And he doesn’t expect anyone else to, either.

“A lot of times people focus on talk radio and their opinions or judgments,” McNabb said. “But there are a lot of people who truly were accepting of the things I was able to do. I do feel like I was appreciated there.”

[email protected]

Related Content