Noted Birds blathermonkey Mark Eckel of the Trenton Times (and I mean “blathermonkey” in the kindest possible way) thinks it’s only 50-50 that Donovan starts the opener against the Packers on September 9th.

His reasoning is that (1) McNabb has yet to give a firm commitment that he’ll play that day and (2) that McNabb’s recent off-the-reservation behavior (hiring — gasp! — his own PR guy and doing interviews –hiss! — away from the Novacare Complex) suggest that there’s discord brewing between 5 and Andy Reid. Eckel thinks that Reid and the organEYEzation will pressure 5 to play, and that 5 will be looking out for 5.

Eckel generally knows his dirt on the Eagles, but I’ll have to disagree on this one. McNabb hasn’t committed to playing because there’s no reason to commit. It’s just a headline and even more bogus early pressure. Plenty of time for that nonsense come training camp. As for the discord with the front office, I mean, sure. Maybe there’s something there. But all things considered (given previous off-season dramas), it doesn’t really register.

I think McNabb will start the opener.

Link:
NJ.com’s Mark Eckel Isn’t Sure McNabb Is Healthy [CN8 via RedLasso]