The Eagles Season Could Hinge On McNabb's Facial Hair Come August 1st

A great article last week in The Sporting News regarding McNabb's status.  Go read the whole thing.

We'll know whether Donovan McNabb is back to being his old self before he steps on the field for the Eagles' first training camp practice at Lehigh University next month. The tip-off will be his face. If it's clean-shaven, he'll be ready to roll.

Right now, McNabb has facial hair that is thick and scruffy. He calls it his rehab beard. He has been growing it while he continues his comeback from the torn ACL he suffered last November 19.

I often find myself fascinated with Donovan McNabb.  He takes more crap than he likely deserves, much of it coming from here, but his work ethic is absolutely top notch.  We've heard stories in the past about strange drills McNabb has done in Arizona to get ready for past seasons.  Things may have even gotten weirder.

McClellan also incorporates some unusual drills. In one, McNabb wears a pair of Strobe Specs, glasses with lenses that open and close at varying speeds. This gives McNabb the sensation of "feeling" a pass rush without being able to see everything clearly. In another drill, McClellan tosses odd-shaped dog toys on the ground, and McNabb must catch them on the bounce. The toys have nubs that cause them to change direction abruptly, so McNabb is working on his hand-eye coordination. (Think of Rocky Balboa chasing chickens.)

I love it.  At a time when the Phillies are floundering and the Sixers turned up with a lot of "potential" in the A.I. draft, the Eagles are giving this Philly fan some hope on a muggy Monday in July.

Donovan McNabb is going to have a big, big season.  Mark my words.

>>McNabb clearing for takeoff [Sporting News]
>>Image via PhiladelphiaEagles.com

Comments

[joe l]

No mention of the Flyers latest pickups?

[the Krisheim]

i think jerry rice invented that odd-shaped toys game.

i remember seeing it on NFL films or something.

Go Eagles.

[Matt P]

joe:

scroll down.

[GreggyD]

I also think Donny Mac is going to have a big year. I believe he wants to come back from this injury and prove to everyone he's not just an injury prone player. Also, the Eagles drafting Kolb may have lit a fire under his ass and he probably has a lot driving him in terms of showing this city that he is not ready to be replaced yet. I don't know if the Eagles are going to make it to/win the Super Bowl, but I think they'll get pretty damn close.

[Jim]

wow... awesome. I really needed this article today, in a bad way. esp after we just nearly got swept by the mets.