McNabb says it's time for the Eagles to "put it on the line"

McNabb says it's time for the Eagles to "put it on the line"
Eds: SUBS lead to fix typo, 'it's'
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) -- With 10 pounds of added muscle mass and two rookies that could make an impact on offense, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb said Saturday that it's time to "put it all on the line and make it happen."
After losses to St. Louis and Tampa Bay in the last two NFC Championship games, the Eagles have to take the next step, McNabb said.
"Last year, we came in with the attitude of, we've been there now let's do what we have to do to get back," said McNabb, who kept his weight at 245 pounds but added 10 pounds of muscle over the offseason. "After being there two times and coming up with the same result, now we're tired of where we ended up."
The team lost two starters on defense in Hugh Douglas (Jacksonville) and Shawn Barber (Kansas City), but have made improvements to its offense with the acquisition of fullback Jon Ritchie (Oakland) and draft picks L.J. Smith (tight end) and Billy McMullen (wide receiver) as well as the return of running back Correll Buckhalter, who missed all of last year with a knee injury.
"That's excellent for us on the offensive side, McNabb said. "(Defenses) just can't focus on a couple of people, you have to focus on everyone that's out there -- even our rookies stepping in because they're going to play a major role in our offense."
Todd Pinkston (6-foot-2, 174 pounds) led the Eagles with 60 receptions for 798 yards last season and James Thrash (6-foot, 200) had 52 catches for 635 yards. McNabb threw for 2,289 yards on 211-for-361 passing.
Slot receiver Antonio Freeman, picked up as a free agent last season, had 46 catches for 600 yards. He wasn't re-signed.
That leaves the battle for the third receiver spot to third-year player Freddie Mitchell and McMullen, a 6-foot-4 third-round draft pick out of Virginia.
Mitchell, only 5-foot-11, has struggled the past two seasons. He had 12 catches for 105 yards last year.
"I want to contribute to the offense," said McMullen, who had 69 catches for 894 yards at Virginia last year. "I'm going to keep learning the offense and get comfortable on the field. I know the plays when I'm looking in the book but it's a lot different when you're out there on the field."
Smith will combine with All-Pro Chad Lewis to give the Eagles the ability to use a lot of two-tight end formations. Smith, a third-round pick, led Rutgers with 32 receptions for 384 yards last season.
"It puts a lot on the defense because you have to decide if you're going to put a safety or a weak side linebacker on him," McNabb said of Smith. "There's a lot of things you're going to be faced with."
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Notes: Contract discussions with first-round draft choice Jerome McDougle are ongoing. McDougle is still the only rookie not in camp. ... After missing all of last season with a broken fifth metatarsal in his right foot, DE Derrick Burgess was on the field Saturday as the Eagles opened training camp for rookies, free agents and selected veterans. He had two surgeries last year. "I've been smiling all day," Burgess said. "I'm happy to get another chance to play football." ... Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson named Lito Sheppard the teams nickel back and Sheldon Brown the teams dime back. Both are in their second seasons. ... Pro Bowlers Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent are the starting corners. Johnson called the defensive line "the strength of our team right now. We'll rotate them and we may dress nine linemen or 10 linemen."