Dan Pompei

Instead of trying to dump Donovan McNabb and start over with Kevin Kolb, as some thought the Eagles might do, the Eagles tried to make McNabb's job easier in 2008.

The Eagles don't believe the 31-year old McNabb has seen better days, though he clearly is a different quarterback than the one the Eagles drafted in 1999. McNabb no longer is a threat to beat teams with his feet. For the first time since he was the established starter for a whole season, McNabb did not even score a rushing touchdown last year.

But his passing was pretty good even though the Eagles' record didn't reflect it. McNabb's completion percentage of 61.5 was the second highest of his career. His passer rating of 89.9 was the third highest of his career.

So the thinking of coach Andy Reid and general manager Tom Heckert was the Eagles should try to enhance McNabb's skills by surrounding him with more talent. They tried to sign Randy Moss, but fell short. They tried to trade for Roy Williams, but that didn't pan out. They reportedly investigated other veteran receivers who they thought could be had, including Javon Walker, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.

They ended up settling for DeSean Jackson, whom they chosen in the second round of the draft. McNabb was not thrilled that the team did not add a proven veteran.

But at least the Eagles enhanced their defense with the additions of cornerback Asante Samuel and defensive end Chris Clemons.

The training camp focus will be on the offense and McNabb. The shoulder tendonitis that sidelined him late in the offseason is not expected to be a major issue, but that doesn't mean the Philly media will not make it one.

Hot seat
Reid is respected as one of the finest coaches in the NFL. He has led the Eagles to four NFC championship games and one Super Bowl. He appears to be in good stead with team owner Jeffrey Lurie.

But notoriously fickle Eagles fans are not going to be happy if the Eagles don’t win big this year. The Eagles have finished fourth in the NFC East in two of the last three years. And Reid is in his tenth season with the team.

If the Eagles don't have a successful season, the critics will say he has been in one place too long. Or that he was distracted by his sons' problems with the law.

Lurie probably wouldn't listen to the noise. But if things got ugly it wouldn't be a shock if Reid were to think all parties would be best served if he moved on.

Overheard at camp
It will be interesting to see how Lito Sheppard approaches his job. The team tried to trade Sheppard for most of the offseason after acquiring Samuel, but couldn't find a team interested in meeting their price.

It wouldn't be shocking to see the Eagles move Sheppard before the season if another team gets desperate at cornerback because of an injury. But the latest buzz out of Eagles camp is the team kind of likes being able to line up three very good corners (Sheldon Brown being the other).

Still having Sheppard gives defensive coordinator Jim Johnson some intriguing game planning possibilities.

Comings and goings
The Eagles are younger on defense, in part because they parted ways with defensive end Jevon Kearse and middle linebacker Takeo Spikes. Kearse never lived up to his billing after the team signed him as a free agent, so the Eagles cut him in the offseason. Spikes failed his physical.

The Eagles are counting on Clemons to give them what Kearse did not. And they are planning on replacing Spikes at middle linebacker with Stewart Bradley, a third round pick from 2007 who has yet to start a game. The defense will miss Spikes' leadership and veteran presence, but hopes to benefit from Stewart's young legs.

Prediction
Just when you think the Eagles are on the downswing, they usually find a way to rebound. Reid and McNabb and Jim Johnson are one of the indomitable trios in the NFL.

And there are many other things to like about the Eagles, like Trent Cole's pass rush, Brian Westbrook's open field burst, Kevin Curtis' potential, the defensive tackle rotation, Marty Mornhinweg's play calling, and Brian Dawkins' savvy.

The division will be tough, but so will the Eagles. They have the look of a 9-7 team.

NFL training camp previews Click for latest on your favorite teams AFC EAST Bills Dolphins Jets Patriots NFC EAST Cowboys Giants Eagles Redskins AFC NORTH Bengals Browns Ravens Steelers NFC NORTH Bears Lions Packers Vikings AFC SOUTH Colts Jaguars Titans Texans NFC SOUTH Bucs Falcons Panthers Saints AFC WEST Broncos Chargers Chiefs Raiders NFC WEST Cardinals 49ers Rams Seahawks

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Week 9's fantasy matchups Florio: Wildcat’s N.E. return just one Week 9 storyline PFT’s Picks: Saints, Eagles, Colts primed for key wins Eagles, Cowboys playing for first in NFC East PFT: Jerry Rice is a huge DeSean Jackson fan   PFT: Browns seeking a ‘football czar’ Fox’s NFL pregame show going to Afghanistan PFT: Underclassmen at NFL draft crossroads PFT: Broncos sign Ty Law to $200,000 signing bonus PFT: NFL wanted Chiefs to fine L.J. only $10K for slur NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: