Post by EagleGene on Jul 3, 2006 14:31:37 GMT -5
Camp Countdown: Quarterbacks ;D
July 3, 2006
By ZACH BERMAN
With training camp fast approaching, PhiladelphiaEagles.com breaks down the 2006 Eagles, position by position. Today: Quarterbacks.
Last season concluded two quarterbacking facts for the Eagles: As Donovan McNabb goes, so go the Eagles; and the backup quarterback is extremely important.
The Eagles enter 2006 with McNabb healthy -- as healthy as he's been in some time, considering the franchise quarterback admitted he entered training camp a year ago with a "tweaked" groin area -- and with a three-time Pro Bowler, Jeff Garcia, entrenched at backup quarterback.
Both are important factors as the Eagles try to rebound from a disappointing 6-10 season.
QB Donovan McNabb is healthy and ready to go for '06
McNabb's health is perhaps the most important addition the Eagles have from the time the 2005 season ended. He's the star, the unquestionable leader of the offense - and to an extent, the team.
His sports hernia injury that sidelined him for the final seven games of the season came after McNabb was on pace to match or top his career-high 31 touchdown passes set in 2004, when he helped lead the Eagles to the Super Bowl. The injury was a major setback and the offense couldn't recover.
But McNabb made it clear during the off-season that entering his eighth season, this is his team and the controversy that mired part of last season is in the rear-view mirror. He's focused, trimmer than in the past and ready to restore the Eagles.
But in case injury happens to strike McNabb, the Eagles knew they had to secure a reliable backup. It's not planning for it, but planning in case of it. And while the Eagles have shuffled in solid options behind McNabb during his tenure in Philadelphia, Garcia is arguably the best, and certainly the most qualified, backup in the NFL.
His three Pro Bowls put him on a list exclusive from most starting quarterbacks, and his familiarity with offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg's system made his signing a no-brainer.
Between McNabb and Garcia, the Eagles have as secure a one-two tandem as there is in the league.
"Both of those guys are in meetings, both of them have been starters, both could be starters, and both take control in the huddle," receiver Jabar Gaffney said. "Guys listen to them."
Battling for the third-string quarterback job is 10-year veteran Koy Detmer and first-year pro Timmy Chang, who two years removed from setting records at Hawaii is still searching for his first spot on an NFL active roster.
Detmer is a wily veteran who is valuable as kicker David Akers' holder. He has a firm grasp of the offense and has been able to play in pinch situations throughout his career.
Chang, on the other hand, has no experience but a commendable field presence and nice accuracy. While it's difficult to supplant a 10-year veteran, he'll have every opportunity to prove his worth.
July 3, 2006
By ZACH BERMAN
With training camp fast approaching, PhiladelphiaEagles.com breaks down the 2006 Eagles, position by position. Today: Quarterbacks.
Last season concluded two quarterbacking facts for the Eagles: As Donovan McNabb goes, so go the Eagles; and the backup quarterback is extremely important.
The Eagles enter 2006 with McNabb healthy -- as healthy as he's been in some time, considering the franchise quarterback admitted he entered training camp a year ago with a "tweaked" groin area -- and with a three-time Pro Bowler, Jeff Garcia, entrenched at backup quarterback.
Both are important factors as the Eagles try to rebound from a disappointing 6-10 season.
QB Donovan McNabb is healthy and ready to go for '06
McNabb's health is perhaps the most important addition the Eagles have from the time the 2005 season ended. He's the star, the unquestionable leader of the offense - and to an extent, the team.
His sports hernia injury that sidelined him for the final seven games of the season came after McNabb was on pace to match or top his career-high 31 touchdown passes set in 2004, when he helped lead the Eagles to the Super Bowl. The injury was a major setback and the offense couldn't recover.
But McNabb made it clear during the off-season that entering his eighth season, this is his team and the controversy that mired part of last season is in the rear-view mirror. He's focused, trimmer than in the past and ready to restore the Eagles.
But in case injury happens to strike McNabb, the Eagles knew they had to secure a reliable backup. It's not planning for it, but planning in case of it. And while the Eagles have shuffled in solid options behind McNabb during his tenure in Philadelphia, Garcia is arguably the best, and certainly the most qualified, backup in the NFL.
His three Pro Bowls put him on a list exclusive from most starting quarterbacks, and his familiarity with offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg's system made his signing a no-brainer.
Between McNabb and Garcia, the Eagles have as secure a one-two tandem as there is in the league.
"Both of those guys are in meetings, both of them have been starters, both could be starters, and both take control in the huddle," receiver Jabar Gaffney said. "Guys listen to them."
Battling for the third-string quarterback job is 10-year veteran Koy Detmer and first-year pro Timmy Chang, who two years removed from setting records at Hawaii is still searching for his first spot on an NFL active roster.
Detmer is a wily veteran who is valuable as kicker David Akers' holder. He has a firm grasp of the offense and has been able to play in pinch situations throughout his career.
Chang, on the other hand, has no experience but a commendable field presence and nice accuracy. While it's difficult to supplant a 10-year veteran, he'll have every opportunity to prove his worth.
