On The Clock: Five Questions For Donovan McNabb and The Eagles

Heading in to the 2009 slate, the fans of the Philadelphia Eagles are looking for answers to a barrage of questions surrounding the upcoming season.

While the team and the fans search for some answers, their five-time pro bowl quarterback is trying to prepare for his 11th season in the city of brotherly love.  

Here are a few questions for the fearless leader with a smile as a big as a cheese steak, quarterback Donovan McNabb:

1. Last season you threw 23 touchdowns and for almost 4,000 yards, but 65 percent of those yards and completions were to targets six feet tall or under.

What kind of communication and relationship have you developed with your undersized receivers has allowed you to connect with them at this rate and will this trend continue?

Last season, McNabb threw for more than 2,500 yards and completed more than 220 passes to receivers six foot or smaller. His top receiver was 5'10 DeSean Jackson who had 912 receiving yards, more than double anyone else on the team. 

McNabb arm is capable of throwing down field, but his proficiency throwing to the smaller targets is impeccable. McNabb and his fans are going to be exited to see what he does with the speedy rookie, 6'1 Jeremy Maclin, on the field.

2. With the additions of Jason Peters and Stacy Andrews to an already hefty and capable offensive line, how will this affect the offense in 2009?

The 2009 Eagles offensive front stands at an average 6'5 and weighs in averaging 334 pounds. After being more than productive last season, they bring in pro-bowler Jason Peters and the brother of 335-pound Shawn Andrews, 342-pound Stacy Andrews.

With the gaps they had in the screen pass and running game last season coming at will, look for those gaps to get even wider and the offense grow even more comfortable in 2009.

3. Throughout your career, mid-season injuries have pestered you and affected your playing time and proficiency. What have you been doing this offseason and how important is it for you to stay healthy in 2009?

As any quarterback is, McNabb is prone to injury and many of his problems have stemmed from injuries at his fragile position.

However, McNabb at 6'2 and 240 pounds is a solid size to help prevent minor injuries. Now that the aging superstar has all but given up on his sometimes effective running game, look for a healthier McNabb at training camp and during the 2009 season.

4. Last year you went from starter to bench and back to starter and you led your team back to the NFC Championship Game. As hard as it is to be demoted to the bench, if you struggled out of the gate would you again be willing to go to the sideline and regain what you were missing on the field?

Coming off a tie with the Cincinnati Bengals, the Eagles were routed by the Baltimore Ravens in a game where McNabb saw the bench without an injury involved.

After spending some time on the bench against the Ravens, McNabb was renamed the starter for the Thanksgiving contest against Arizona and he reclaimed his starting role in a big way throwing for 260 yards and four touchdowns.

After rediscovering his confidence, McNabb led Philadelphia to the playoffs on the season’s final day and a matchup with Arizona in the NFC title game.

5. The Eagles had eight picks in the 2009 Draft and they chose to pick six offensive players, including standout wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, and only two defensive.

Are you excited about the new additions on your side of the ball and how do you see them fitting into the offense?

In 2008, the Eagles had 10 picks and chose six defensive players to four offensive players.

Despite having some question on the defensive side at cornerback and linebacker, the Eagles waited till the fifth round to select their first defensive player, cornerback Victor Harris, and their only other defensive pick was in the seventh round, pick 230, linebacker Moise Fokou.

With six new offensive weapons that include first- and second-round studs Maclin and running back LaSean McCoy, the Eagles now have a heavier offensive toolbox that could prove to be explosive in 2009.