From the time he was booed at the NFL Draft, and his subsequent reaction, Eagles fans always questioned whether or not McNabb was made for this town. Was he tough enough to sustain the criticism that goes with being the starting quarterback in a town starving for its first Super Bowl championship, and first NFL title since 1960? Or, as Andy Reid calls it, was he “wired for Philadelphia?”

Ashley Fox has a great, in-depth look at Andy Reid today that focuses more on the off-field issues involving his sons that he’s had to deal with the last three years. Tucked into the piece is a bit of football talk in the form of the quarterback situation, and drafting players that can thrive playing in front of a demanding, passionate, intelligent fan base.

Donovan McNabb sulks after being replaced by Kevin Kolb in Baltimore in 2008. Andy reid says he drafted McNabb because the Syracuse grad was "wired for Philadelphia." In the end, does Reid believe that?

He’s quoted in the piece as saying, “(McNabb) had the ability to laugh things off that needed to be laughed off and not take things too serious from the outside influences. At the same time, he was able to focus on the job at hand. You have to be able to do that here.”

He thinks Kolb has the mentality to survive the disappointing Sundays surely to come this year when he goes throw the ups and downs all first-year starters face.

He said, “They probably get to it a different way, but [Kolb] has that ability to not let the outside things influence his game inside. I think that’s important.”

Having read both quotes, you have to question if McNabb ended up having the mentality Reid envisioned when he tied his credibility to the quarterback’s arm in the 1999 draft. While we’re one of McNabb’s supporters and were against the trade, clearly McNabb had trouble accepting blame and dealing with the perception people had of him during his time in Eagles green.

He was upset when the Eagles drafted Kolb. Reports indicated he and Reid barely talked that offseason. While one can understand being upset at a player drafted to eventually succeed you, a professional should embrace the challenge and step up a bit more.

Also, look at last year when the Eagles got pounded by Dallas. McNabb referred to the young guys and implied it was their fault as much as his. A veteran who is “wired for Philadelphia” doesn’t deflect any attention or blame to young guys just learning the pro game. DeSean Jackson was in just his second year, and Jeremy Maclin was a rookie. Let them be.

So, was McNabb “Philly wired?” Clearly not. And, Reid implies just as much in his quotes above. He says Kolb “goes at it in (a) different way.” Then Reid uses the key word — “but.” he continues to say that outside issues don’t affect Kolb. Is he implying that McNabb couldn’t block out the media and fans perception of him? Was McNabb another Mike Schmidt — highly successful but just never felt comfortable in this city?

By FRANK WARD
DailyPhiladelphian.com Editor

Let’s face it, the national media has done Philly sports fans no favors in helping to form our reputation and create our image. While nobody will dispute that we expect the best from anyone who dares accept the challenge of donning one of our teams’ jerseys, we’re also very fair.

Some athletes can handle it and seem to thrive in Philly. Allen Iverson, Charles Barkley and Jimmy Rollins come to mind. Others can’t fathom playing in the City of Brotherly Love (see Rolen, Scott).

In his two seasons here, DeSean Jackson has enjoyed a love affair with the 65,000 who pack Lincoln Financial Field and the hundreds of thousands who watch from the local watering hole or their living rooms. Of course, making the Pro Bowl will get you in the fans’ good graces. Hard work, however, is something everyone has to notice.

DeSean Jackson has enjoyed a love affair with Eagles fans. His work ethic is one reason why we support him. His background also allows him to understand us.

Jackson isn’t the biggest guy on the field. In fact, at 5-10 and 175 pounds, Jackson is the NFL’s version of Allen Iverson. He’s not scared to go across the middle with the big boys and take his hits. He’ll do what’s needed to win football games.

When he arrived in Philly after being drafted, he knew of Philly’s reputation.

“I had always heard Philly was a hard-nosed, blue collar town,” Jackson told DailyPhiladelphian.com this week. “I’ve never had a negative experience. I hear what they say to some of the guys on other teams and I’m glad I’m on their side.”

Plays like this will keep DeSean and Philly fans in a healthy, long-term relationship.

Jackson learned early on how Philly was a football town.

“When I first got drafted to be an Eagle, I knew of the fans’ reputation,” he said. “When I first got off the plane at the airport, the cameras were there filming me and the fans were all excited. I knew they were passionate and behind the Eagles.”

As far as whether or not the passion can go too far sometimes, Jackson doesn’t see it like that.

“I like their passion,” the Pro Bowler said. “They do not accept not winning and that’s what I was taught to believe in life.”

Jackson said failure is not an option and he always works hard to get better and be successful. The bottom line is that he gets us, understands us and accepts us. If only every athlete could do the same.

DeSean seems like he wants to connect with fans. Following him on social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter is one way to do that. You can also check out his website, deseanjackson10.com.

By FRANK WARD
DailyPhiladelphian.com Editor

Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg gave Philly an All-Pro running back in the mid 1990s. If everything goes according to plan, Eagle Nation may have to send donations to the high school’s football program for producing two top tailbacks.

LeSean “Shady” McCoy, forced into significant role due to concussions suffered by Brian Westbrook, exceeded expectations in his rookie year by rushing for a team rookie record 637 yards, and he found paydirt four times. He also caught 40 balls for more than 300 yards.

McCoy hails from the same high school as another name familiar to Eagles fans — Ricky Watters.

LeSean McCoy hails from the same high school as another former Eagles back -- Ricky Watters.

Watters, who is helping kids via his Urban Youth League these days, takes pride in seeing another player from his alma mater manning the Eagles backfield.

“I heard about him before I even saw him play because he was coming from the same footsteps as me,” Watters said. “It’s cool to hear about and see a guy like me (in the NFL). It makes the alma mater look very good.”

Upon seeing him play in person and from afar, Watters continues to be impressed with the hard-nosed running style McCoy displays.

“The first time I saw him, he was slick,” the five-time Pro Bowler said. “Every time I watch him, he impresses me even more. Last year with much different competition and in a tough situation that he had to deal with, he did a great job.”

More important than the player on the field is the person in the community.

“I saw him at home at Super Bowl,” Watters said, “and he is a very cordial young man.”

Watters says he has talked to McCoy but wants to do more to help the second year back become an even better player.

“I’d love to help him even more because when I was young, if I had a guy to give me tips and cut up some of film with (I’d have been even better),” Watters said. “I’d like to do that for him.”

Like him or not, Watters could be a veteran presence, a sounding board, for McCoy. Maybe Andy Reid should extend the olive branch and bring Watters in for a couple days during training camp.

By FRANK WARD
DailyPhiladelphian.com Editor

Pounding the ball into the end zone a Super Bowl record three times in SB XXIX. Running the Eagles to three playoff appearances without a legit NFL quarterback during the Ray Rhodes era. Having a stadium bursting with energy from your athletic prowess.

Ricky Watters was one of the better running backs of his era, especially in the West Coast Offense. But, none of the Harrisburg, PA, native’s accomplishments came without hard work, dedication and perseverance.

From growing up in foster homes, to being thought of as a diva by some NFL observers, Watters has never had it easy. Yet his hard-nosed work ethic carried him to a prolific Pro Bowl career.

Today, away from the spotlight, the cheers of 65,000 fans, and the high profile lifestyle that goes with being a top NFL running back, Watters is handing off life experience to children like him. Through his Urban Youth League outreach program, Watters offers guidance to kids who otherwise may fall through the cracks.

Ricky Watters has left the NFL life behind to help mentor disadvantaged youths.

To be clear, he doesn’t operate the Urban Youth League to get headlines or pump up his ego. All he needs to do is shine his Super Bowl ring to do that.

“I just try to take it as far as God is telling me to do it,” Watters says of the Foundation that once bore his name. “Whatever happens from that is fine; wherever it goes has to be good because it’s coming from heart and it is positive.

“I’m one of people that it’s not all about me. I took my name off of the foundation. I just want to be a part of the great things we do, and not the center of it. And, it’s not just money, but time, too.”

Today, Watters aims to motivate others to do well because, as trite as the expression is, he once walked and ran in their shoes.

“This was a natural thing to help and mentor kids and talk to the ones in group homes and foster care,” said Watters. “It was a natural progression. I was in foster care. After I retired, I changed the Foundation to the Urban Youth League and focused on ways to help them.”

One of the major parts of the Urban Youth League is the Urban Music League. Music was always a passion for Watters and he now uses that as a way to connect with kids and earn their respect and confidence.

Watters hit paydirt three times to help the 49ers win Super Bowl XXIX.

“I’ve done creative things and music for a long time,” Watters said. “I used to write poetry in high school and put it to music. I now use it to mentor kids. They all say they want to be that — musician, entertainer or baller. Once they realize I do this, the kids listen, see the studio in my house; it helps with mentoring them.“

Watters has really been able to build a connection with kids through music and, of course, football. He will hold the Ricky Watters Pro Football Experience on July 17-18 in Orlando, Florida.

“When I talk to people to work in group homes, they are amazed at what I can get out of kids in such short period of time because they are with him every day,” Watters said. “The kids, they loosen up and realize I’m one of them.”

One of the things that has really helped is the book he penned detailing his rough childhood, “Ricky Watters: A Warrior’s Journey.”

“Many kids don’t want to read,” said Watters. “Then, they read the book and realize what they have in common. It’s great because they change their position and want to talk about my life. They parallel my life and can relate to it.”

Ricky Watters is doing a lot to help youths tap into their potential.

He says the book has helped people other than him connect with kids, as well.

“People’s fathers say they’ve connected with sons through that book,” he says. “Everything has turned out better than the thought. I did it to express myself and it’s great because it’s helped people. It’s been special.”

For his part, Watters works with kids personally to help motivate them to get the most out of life. He gets them clothes, talks one-on-one, and brings them into his home.

“I want to get kids to take care of themselves, literally,” said Watters, “and put themselves in best light to be leaders in community. I want bunch of kids who want to give back to society instead of being a menace to society. I’ve dealt with kids in foster care and detention centers.

“When I was in Los Angeles, I worked with Jim Brown to stop violence. I worked with gang members who want to do better and put themselves in a position to be a viable member of society in positive way.”

If the kids listen to the advice and mentoring Watters is providing, they’ll be positive, contributing members of society.

To contact Ricky and lend support to the Urban Youth League, hit him up on his Facebook fan page. You can also check out his website.

One by one the Eagles are taking care of business with their draft picks. On Friday, the team agreed to deals with four more guys, including Jamar Chaney, Jeff Owens, Kurt Coleman and Trevard Lindley.

After signing his forst NFL contract Friday, look for Jeff Owens to lay the smackdown on the NFC East.

Owens and Chaney, both tweeting buds of ours on Twitter (haven’t forgotten about the interview Jeff, or the cheesesteak run to Tony Luke’s, Jamar), were seventh round picks. Chaney is a linebacker out of Mississippi State, while Owens is a DT from Georgia.

Coleman, a safety from The Ohio State, was also picked in the seventh round, while Coleman was a fourth round pick from Kentucky.

No word on contract terms as of yet.

On the heels of Marlin Jackson’s season/career-ending Achilles tendon tear, the Eagles couldn’t be happy to see other starting players be helped off the field and/or miss time at this week’s voluntary OTAs due to injuries.

The good news is that none appear to be serious.

Todd Herremans visited a foot specialist for a check-up on Thursday. Everything looks OK.

Stewart Bradley tweaked a calf muscle on Wednesday, while LeSean “Shady” McCoy dinged his ankle. Neither appears to be anything remotely long-term, especially since both players have seven weeks until training camp.

Starting offensive guard Todd Herremans injured foot, which required surgey a year ago, was the most serious. However, after seeing a foot specialist today, his prognosis seems positive.

Herremans himself took the trip to the doctor in stride.

“Just got back to Philly,” he tweeted after returning from the specialist in Charlotte. “All is well… except the plane smells like fart.”

Thanks for sharing that tidbit, Todd.

Herremans wasn’t the only one to alleviate fans’ fears via Twitter the last two days.

“All is well,” Bradley tweeted on Wednesday after sustaining his injury. On Thursday, he shook off the injury enough to participate in the team’s annual playground building project.

“Just finished the playground build!” he tweeted. “Great except for the sunburn ha ha.”

By FRANK WARD
DailyPhiladelphian.com Editor

Brian Dawkins flew the Eagles nest for the Mile High City of Denver more than a year ago. Yet, the Eagles still have not filled his spot with more than silly putty and knees made of Slinkies.

Quintin Demps was handed the starting job a year ago, but he, ummm, sucked to put it mildly. Sean Jones was signed as a free agent in case Demps needed help. Yet, neither of them could beat out rookie cornerback-converted-safety Macho Harris. The result was a carousel befitting a circus than an NFL franchise.

A year later, Jones is gone and Harris is a cornerback. Enter Marlin Jackson and rookie Nate Allen.

Allen, the rookie taken from South Florida with the McNabb pick, was supposed to have time to adapt to the league and learn behind Jackson. Plus, the Eagles didn’t know they’d get him when they started overhauling their defensive unit before the draft. To say he wasn’t part of the plan is an understatement.

Jackson, signed as a free agent from Indianapolis, was the guy. The problem wasn’t Jackson’s style of play. In fact, he likely was the type of hitter and cover guy the Birds needed out there next to Quintin Mikell.

The issue was the fact that Jackson was coming back from two ACL tears in as many years. To put the hopes of restoring pride to the part of the field that BDawk effortlessly defended for more than a decade on the shoulders of a guy coming back from that type of injury is insulting and inexcusable.

Did the Eagles braintrust learn nothing from the Stacey Andrews debacle?

Of course, they couldn’t bring in a competent veteran such as Darren Sharper. To spend money on someone like thyat would be to admit a mistake in not giving $7.2 million to BDawk for two years. The Eagles don’t admit mistakes, especially one that big.

Now, Jackson is lost for the year with a ruptured Achille’s heel on the first day of non-contact OTAs. The injury could very well be the result of trying to come back too quickly from his most recent ACL injury. It brings to mind the years of Correll Buckhalter going to the ground without any contact. This case is potentially more devsastating as their is no Brian Westbrook in the eagles free safety picture.

Harris, Demps and Allen are now in the spotlight. Harris likely can’t be moved back from corner since he didn’t exactly light the world on fire last year, and the Eagles are thin at a position they deem important. With Ellis Hobbs the starter opposite Asante Samuel right now, Harris has a chance to start there this year.

Demps couldn’t seize the opportunity handed to him a year ago. That leaves Allen, a guy the Eagles weren’t banking on to step up and play like a veteran right off the bat.

When is the last time a rookie made a big impact on the defensive side of the ball for the Eagles? When? Now, Allen is thrust into that very spot thanks to the tape-job the Eagles did on the free safety position once again.

By FRANK WARD
DailyPhiladelphian.com Editor

Just when you thought that maybe, for a second, the Eagles could start to move on from the Donovan McNabb era and the results of dealing one of the best signal callers in franchise history, the critics will pull his name back in. And, it’s fair to do so right now.

Marlin Jackson, the free agent DB from Indianapolis brought in to start at free safety, ruptured his Achilles’ heel in practice today. The injury could be the result of trying to come back too soon from the second of two torn ACLs in as many years.

Rookie safety Nate Allen, the guy drafted with the McNabb pick, will get a chance sooner than expected thanks to the season ending injury to Marlin Jackson.

Suddenly, the competition for the starting spot will be open to third year safety Quintin Demps and rookie Nate Allen.

Allen, from South Florida, was drafted in the second round with the 37th overall pick — the one acquired from the Redskins for McNabb.

With Demps a longshot to win the job based on his underwhelming performance from a year ago when Eagles coaches did all they could to hand him the reigns after letting Brian Dawkins depart via free agency, all eyes will be on Allen.

The only other guy with any experience and a shot to play free safety is Macho Harris. However, Harris is needed more at corner, his natural position, especially with the team trading Sheldon Brown this offseason.

Suddenly, Allen doesn’t have time to grow and learn the system. He can’t be an NFL rookie. The Eagles need him now. If the first year player can pan out and play adequately, the McNabb deal can be ruled a push at worst. If not, then Andy Reid, Joe Banner and new GM Howie Roseman have some serious ’splainin’ to do.

Like it or not, the McNabb pick is crucially important to the success of the franchise right now.

By FRANK WARD
DailyPhiladelphian.com Editor

The infamous botched onside kick recovery that cost his team the Super Bowl. The soon-to-be infamous sex video starring wifey Kendra Wilkinson. Now, a rookie wideout with size turning heads at the Philadelphia Eagles rookie OTAs.

Put the three together and you can see Hank Baskett’s NFL career going up in flames quicker than LenWhale White’s.

Former Gator wideout Riley Cooper could push Hank Baskett back to house-husband status.

Riley Cooper, the fifth round pick out of Florida, could be the big red zone target the Eagles have been searching for since Terrell Owens was jettisoned out of South Philly. Today’s Daily News has a nice write up on Cooper, who measures 6-4 and weighs 200 pounds.

More impressive than his size is his speed, according to John Smallwood. His speed isn’t great, but good for a big guy in the Eagles offense.

If Cooper impresses in camp and the preseason, it’ll be difficult for Baskett to make the team.

The Eagles traditionally keep four or five receivers, depending on special teams contributions. DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Jason Avant are on the team. No shit, Captain Obvious.

That could leave one spot. Baskett was always seen as a nice guy to have for all those fade passes Donovan McNabb was famous for, as well as his ability to help on special teams. The Super Bowl may have wiped that away from the “strengths” column on his resume.

Hank Baskett could become a full-time reality TV star if he fails to make the Eagles roster this year.

Next, the Eagles dislike distractions. (See Welbourn, John; Owens, Terrell.) We’re not sure, but something tells us that Andy Reid isn’t going to be keen on TMZ showing up to ask one of his players about steamy sex tapes.

Enter Cooper. He is what Baskett was five years ago — a young guy with size and good hands and a bunch of upside. Will he ever be a stud? Unlikely. However, tall, serviceable, possession receivers are not growing on trees these days.

Cooper sounds like the type of guy who could seamlessly add that extra something to the Birds young receiving corps. He could also be the man to end the Hank Baskett era in Philly for good.

If Kendra’s really going to have another baby to save her marriage as the tabloids have alluded to, she might want to get crackin’. Hank’s not going to have health benefits much longer.

By FRANK WARD
DailyPhiladelphian.com Editor

The human video game want awry following two years of inactivity. Now, he’s ready to regain the explosiveness that made him into the NFL’s best ultimate weapon this side of Randall Cunningham.

Michael Vick had hoped to be a starter for some team this season. Based on his pedestrian performance when he was on the field for the Eagles last year. That didn’t happen. Now, Vick just wants to be dangerous on the field in hopes of joining the ranks of starting quarterbacks again.

For now, he knows he must improve and according to Philly.com, he is working on that now.

“You’re going to have an opportunity to be a starter,” Vick is quoted as saying. “And I’ll say, ‘OK, I’m going to go back to the drawing board and work on a lot of things that I didn’t have a chance to work on because I was forced into action so fast.’ I have to work on those things and when I get back to doing them I’m going to be dangerous. That’s all I can say — I’ll be dangerous.”

Michael Vick scores one of his few touchdowns last year. He knows he needs to regain his explosiveness to put him back on the NFL QB radar.

The Vick apologists will point to the fact that he was just getting into shape last year. And, while they are right, the fact remains that Vick never displayed the explosiveness that became his trademark before being incarcerated. Ron Mexico never displayed the athleticism in turning the corner. What were once 15 or 20-yard gains became four-yard carries last year. Vick had just one big-time carry, a 34-yarder up the middle against the Bears.

Short of that, his time in the Andy Reid version of the Wildcat was a bust. Anything he can do to show the league he’s regained his speed will go a long way toward giving him a shot at a starting job next year.

He also realizes that he needs to improve his accuracy and is working on that, too. Of course, the fact that he’s never approached a 60 percent completion rate as an NFL signal caller is a concern. It’s that very reason that he’s not a threat to help a team win without his speed. If he can get his elsiveness back and become more accurate, there’s a chance we haven’t seen the last of Vick under center.

If not, he’ll understand why some people refer to the NFL as Not For Long.