CHICAGO (AP) -- Rookie quarterbacks are kind of like teen-agers who've just earned their drivers licenses.

They're sure they're ready to take the family station wagon out on their own. In fact, they're pretty certain they might be the best drivers ever. But put them on the expressway for the first time, and they soon discover they're a long way from driver's ed.

That's why Donovan McNabb won't be starting when the Philadelphia Eagles visit his hometown Sunday. And why McNabb's boyhood favorites, the Chicago Bears, are starting Cade McNown only out of necessity.

"Although I'm sure Donovan's time is near, this is a great opportunity for him to learn," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "This offense had a number of quarterbacks that have been fairly successful in the league. I used those guys as gauges _ the Steve Youngs, the Brett Favres, the Joe Montanas.

"Really, none of them were forced into a starting position immediately. They were able to sit and learn."

When it comes to developing quarterbacks, Reid and Bears coach Dick Jauron have the same philosophy: get them playing time, but take it slow, no matter how loudly fans yell.

Sure, some rookies are successful when they're thrown into the game right away. Peyton Manning set NFL rookie records for attempts, completions, yards and touchdowns last year. Dan Marino did so well his first year he started in the Pro Bowl. But for every Marino and Manning, there's many more Ryan Leafs.

And when a team's future -- not to mention a coach's job -- is resting on a guy who was toting a backpack only a few months ago, a coach had better make sure he brings the rookie along right.

"The blitz packages that defenses are throwing at guys are very sophisticated, and you'd better know where every receiver is in a split second," Reid said. "You better know where all your hot throws are, your sight-adjust throws, whatever it may be. You better know your checks and be able to get to those checks before the clock runs down on you.

"To do that, that takes time and a little bit of experience."

Not that Reid and Jauron are leaving their young guns on the sidelines. Quarterbacks can be a fragile breed, so not giving a rookie any playing time can be just as dangerous as throwing him in too soon.

Jauron's solution was a unique time-sharing agreement. While Shane Matthews would start, McNown would play each week. For the first three games, it was the third series of the game. Jauron added another series in the fourth game.

The plan was working just fine until Matthews suffered a badly pulled hamstring early in the fourth quarter last weekend. McNown finished the game, going 6-of-8 for 69 yards in the fourth quarter and leading the Bears to what turned out to be the game-winning field goal in the 24-22 victory.

With Matthews still injured, McNown will start again Sunday.

"Coach Jauron getting me in there and allowing me to get a series or two a game has really made me feel comfortable in a game situation," said McNown, who is 19-of-34 for 216 yards this season, with a rating of 75.1.

"It's still new. It's my first regular-season start. But I just have to go out there and act like I've been there before. And I have been in the situation before, but now I'm getting to start a game."

Reid's plan for McNabb isn't as defined as Jauron's. McNabb gets half of the snaps in practice, but Reid waits to see how the game progresses before deciding if and when to play him.

He sat out the season opener, then replaced Doug Pederson to start the second half of Game 2 and got a rude welcome to the NFL. He was 4-of-11 for 26 yards, and his longest throw was 9 yards. He was sacked six times for 42 yards.

He played in the next two games, but was on the sideline last week as Pederson led the Eagles to their first victory.

"Obviously I want to be out there playing. I think any competitor would feel that way," said McNabb, who is 13-of-29 for 98 yards with a 53.5 rating. "I'm just trying to be patient. I'm learning every day and when it's my turn to play, I'll make the most of it.

"I see that Tim (Couch) is starting in Cleveland and that Akili (Smith) is starting in Cincinnati and that Cade (McNown) is going to start for the Bears this week," McNabb added. "We're all going at different paces. I can deal with that, as long as I follow what my coaches want me to do. If they're happy with my progress, then so am I."

And one of these days, he'll get his own set of keys to the car.

PHILADELPHIA Season schedule and results

CHICAGO Season schedule and results

September 12 Arizona L 24-25 September 19 Tampa Bay L 5-19 September 26 @Buffalo L 0-26 October 3 @NY Giants L 15-16 October 10 Dallas W 13-10 October 17 @Chicago 1:00pm ET October 24 @Miami 1:00pm ET October 31 NY Giants 1:00pm ET November 7 @Carolina 1:00pm ET November 14 Washington 1:00pm ET November 21 Indianapolis 1:00pm ET November 28 @Washington 1:00pm ET December 5 @Arizona 4:05pm ET December 12 @Dallas 1:00pm ET December 19 New England 1:00pm ET January 2 St. Louis 1:00pm ET

September 12 Kansas City W 20-17 September 19 Seattle L 13-14 September 26 @Oakland L 17-24 October 3 New Orleans W 14-10 October 10 @Minnesota W 24-22 October 17 Philadelphia 1:00pm ET October 24 @Tampa Bay 1:00pm ET October 31 @Washington 1:00pm ET November 7 @Green Bay 1:00pm ET November 14 Minnesota 1:00pm ET November 21 @San Diego 4:15pm ET November 25 @Detroit 12:40pm ET December 5 Green Bay 1:00pm ET December 19 Detroit 1:00pm ET December 26 @St. Louis 1:00pm ET January 2 Tampa Bay 1:00pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

Copyright 1999 STATS, Inc. Commercial distribution without the express written consent of STATS is prohibited.