EAGLES AT A GLANCE
	Donovan McNabb
	Last year: 3-13, fifth place in NFC East Key returnees:: RB Duce Staley (1,065 yards rushing, 57 receptions); OL Tra Thomas; DB Brian Dawkins (2 INTs); DL Hugh Douglas (12½ sacks); CB Troy Vincent (2 INTs) New faces: QB Donovan McNabb (first-round pick); WR Charles Johnson (Steelers); TE Jamie Asher (Redskins); RB Eric Bieniemy (Chargers); P Sean Landeta (Packers) New places: WR Jeff Graham (Chargers); DB Tim McTyer (Browns); QB Rodney Peete (Redskins), RB Charlie Garner (49ers) Watch out: McNabb staged a brief training camp holdout before signing huge rookie contract. Will he be good enough early to overtake vet Doug Pederson and Bobby Hoying? Better than '98: Defensively, the Eagles have a good secondary, and their pass rush will be better if injury-plagued Mike Mamula can return to his form of 1996 (eight sacks). Worse than '98: A new coach (Andy Reid), coupled with a new quarterback (McNabb) doesn't usually add up to early success offensively.

Not this time. This season, he took a different approach. Lurie still expects the team to win a championship but admitted that it probably won't happen in 1999.

"Every game is a game we can win," Lurie said. "I don't believe you talk about rebuilding and things like that. But there's going to be a lot of struggling this year at times. There's no question about it.

"But the mark of an increasingly solid franchise is to stay patient. With Green Bay, for example, they knew they were building toward something pretty special, but they kept expectations down early, which I think is important to do.

"I encourage people to keep low expectations."

That shouldn't be too difficult. The Eagles have undergone drastic changes since last year's 3-13 effort, but they will have a hard time reaching .500, let alone challenging for a playoff berth.

The biggest difference is on the sideline, where rookie head coach Andy Reid replaces Ray Rhodes. Reid, a protégé of Mike Holmgren, has instilled plenty of discipline and enthusiasm in the franchise but little experience. Reid had never been a head coach on any level.

Inexperience could also pose a problem in other areas. Reid has entrusted his West Coast offense to new quarterback Doug Pederson, a former backup in Green Bay and Miami who has never started an NFL regular-season game.

Other notable additions include receivers Charles Johnson and Torrance Small. Tight end Jamie Asher was supposed to be another key offensive weapon, but he suffered a fractured and dislocated ankle in the first preseason game.

The defense and special teams both appear to be solid, but it won't matter if the offense can't score touchdowns.

Like Lurie suggested, don't expect much.

Here's a position-by-position look at Philadelphia's roster:

Quarterbacks
Pederson was named the starter by Reid before training camp began, despite rarely leaving the bench in his previous six NFL seasons. Rookie Donovan McNabb, the team's first-round draft pick, will be brought along slowly and isn't scheduled to play until late in the season, if at all.

Koy Detmer did a decent job as the starter last season and was the best quarterback in preseason, but he wasn't given a chance to beat out Pederson or McNabb. Grade: D

Running backs
Reid had no qualms about ignoring the fans and passing on Ricky Williams in the draft because of Duce Staley. Last season, Staley led the team in rushing (1,065 yards), receptions (57) and touchdowns (six). FB Kevin Turner had an off year in '98 and is still having trouble holding on to the ball. Rookie FB Cecil Martin is a punishing blocker and solid receiver. RB Eric Bieniemy will see action in passing situations. Grade: B-

		The Eagles are three to five years away from really doing anything. They just simply have too many holes. I played with Doug Pederson in Miami, and I like him as a player. But to ask him to go from being a third-team quarterback his whole career to being a starter is too big a jump. Pederson has not played well in the preseason, and Donovan McNabb is not picking up the offense as quickly. I just don't see what they're going to be able to rely on offensively. A reasonable goal for them right now is to try to develop McNabb. Young teams that aren't going to compete for titles must try to develop their quarterbacks. Some people say not to throw the quarterback in too early -- if they struggle a lot, they'll lose their confidence. Well, if a QB loses his confidence, he shouldn't be playing anyway. They shouldn't coddle McNabb and should just work on getting him ready.

Receivers
Johnson and Small were brought in to give Pederson some reliable targets, something that was lacking in last year's pathetic passing game. Rookie Na Brown and Brian Finneran add depth. The loss of Asher was a serious blow. With Kaseem Sinceno also out for a while following foot surgery, the Eagles will rely on rookie Jed Weaver, Chris Fontenot and Andrew Jordan to fill the void. Grade: C

Offensive linemen
Aside from C Steve Everitt and OLT Tra Thomas, this unit is filled with question marks. ORT Jermane Mayberry is playing his third position in as many seasons and could lose his job to rookie John Welbourn.

Both guards -- Jerry Crafts and rookie Doug Brzezinski -- are unproven. George Hegamin, Lonnie Palelei and Bubba Miller are the main backups. Grade: C-

Defensive linemen
DRE Hugh Douglas has developed into more than just a pass rusher, though that's still his strength. If DLE Mike Mamula can stay healthy enough to apply some pressure on quarterbacks, Douglas could surpass last season's 12½ sacks. Mamula is currently scheduled to be a situational player, leaving the run-stopping duties to DLE Greg Jefferson.

Look for Jefferson and DE Jon Harris to move inside in passing situations. Hollis Thomas and Bill Johnson are the tackles. Grade: B-

Linebackers
This group should flourish under the aggressive scheme favored by new defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. OLBs James Darling and William Thomas are both coming off superior preseasons. Thomas has the versatility to collect interceptions and sacks.

Young MLBs Jeremiah Trotter and rookie Barry Gardner were the surprises of training camp. Mike Caldwell, Ike Reese and possibly Antonio London will help on the outside. Grade: B-

Defensive backs
CBs Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent are among the league's top tandems, when Taylor isn't nursing an injury. Al Harris has blossomed into a top-notch nickel corner.

FS Brian Dawkins appears ready to finally live up to his vast potential. The key will be strong safety, where undersized Tim Hauck replaces Michael Zordich. Grade: B

Special teams
Kicker Norm Johnson and punter Sean Landeta form the oldest kicking duo in NFL history. Johnson was recently signed to replace Chris Boniol, who was awful (8-for-22) from 40 yards or longer during his two years in Philly.

Special-teams coach John Harbaugh has made the coverage units respectable. Bieniemy should make them even better. Returner Allen Rossum, who has potential, has yet to score on a kickoff or punt return and is prone to fumbling. Grade: C

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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