McNabb revels in Wentz’s accomplishments
PHILADELPHIA » Donovan McNabb visited the winning locker room Sunday with his sons, Donovan Jr. and Devin.
The man who threw for more yardage than any quarterback in Eagles history sent them right over to get their football autographed by the new sheriff in town, Carson Wentz.
Still a savyy veteran after all these years.
“Yeah, I might sell it in about four years,” McNabb said of the football. “Make me some big money.”
McNabb is a big fan of Wentz, who threw a careerhigh four touchdown passes to lead the Eagles to a 34-7 demolition of the Cardinals Sunday. McNabb gestured toward the locker where he left a part of his football soul.
“My kids were all born here while I was playing for the Eagles, born in Jersey at Virtua Hospital,” McNabb said. “And my sons, I came in and I had both of them just sitting there with me. I think it was after a loss. I was sitting in a chair in that same locker. It’s an experience for them to grow with, to follow a guy like Carson. He’s got a promising career.”
McNabb said Wentz is a better quarterback than he was in his second year. He thinks the Eagles are “absolutely” a playoff team although they’ve still got a tough job ahead surviving in the NFC East.
McNabb says receiver Nelson Agholor, who’s bounced back from a horrific season, is the comeback player of the year. Agholor’s 72-yard scoring play broke the game open in the third quarter.
Then there’s head coach Doug Pederson, who McNabb spoke with while his kids made the autograph rounds.
“When we talk it’s like we’re still sitting in the QB room,” McNabb said. “We laugh and joke and talk about what’s going on here. Obviously the circumstances are a little different now. I’m just happy with the success he’s having now. Last year there were a lot of questions of what was going on and could he do the job. And all of the sudden people are feeling confident about Doug and what he can do with this program and also with the guys.”
The Eagles are 4-1, with a three-game win streak. They’ve re-birthed the touchdown celebration. Agholor did his Nestea plunge after his TD. Torrey Smith, Alshon Jeffery, Wentz and Agholor went with a baseball theme, Jeffery catching, Wentz umpiring, Agholor pitching and Smith smartly delivering a home run swing after his scoring reception.
“I was waiting on the flag,” McNabb joked. “I know they changed the rules and all but I mean that took about 15 seconds . ... If we could do that, we would have gotten real creative. Andy (Reid) might not have allowed it, though.”
*** Right offensive tackle Lane Johnson exited late in the second quarter with a head injury.
Hal Vaitai 59-yard replaced him, and he got tight ends.
If it’s a concussion, the veteran will have a tough time getting through the protocol in time to play the Panthers Thursday in Charlotte.
“I can’t confirm this until we get more information with him,” Pederson said. “Big V did a nice job in his absence. I will find out more tomorrow.”
Julius Peppers and Charles Johnson likely will line up against Big V if he starts this week.
*** Last week Wentz grabbed his upper right groin area after being hit by Jatavis Brown during a scramble in the last two minutes of the Eagles’ victory over the Chargers. In the third quarter Sunday Wentz didn’t seem to be moving well after taking another shot. The bomb to Agholor was almost all arm and no footwork.
“I’m good,” Wentz said, giving a thumbs-up at his news conference.
*** You don’t have to tell Eagles cornerback Patrick Robinson he should have intercepted help from the a couple of Carson Palmer passes. His teammates did.
“They were getting on me this whole game,” Robinson said. “They were going, ‘ohhhh Pat, that’s two.’”
Robinson thinks the Eagles should have picked off three passes. They didn’t get any. Robinson thinks he made up for the drops by blocking a 51-yard field goal attempt by Phil Dawson that would have cut the Philly lead to 21-10 at the intermission.
*** NOTES » Wendell Smallwood sat out his fourth game in two seasons with the Eagles, a knee injury landing him on the inactive list.
The Eagles also scratched defensive tackles Fletcher Cox (calf) and Destiny Vaeao (wrist), cornerback Ronald Darby (ankle), defensive back Jaylen Watkins (hamstring (wrist), guard Isaac Seumalo and wide receiver Shelton Gibson . ... Temple University product Haason Reddick played extensively for the Cardinals. Reddick dropped Wentz on back-toback runs in the third quarter that typically go for big yardage.