EAGLES Owens ignites McNabb's stats

The former 49ers wide receiver has made a major impact in Philadelphia.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Donovan McNabb began his career passing to Charles Johnson and Torrance Small, and became a star throwing to James Thrash and Todd Pinkston.
It's no surprise he's having his best season now that Terrell Owens is with the Philadelphia Eagles.
For McNabb's first five years in the NFL, he didn't have any wide receiver who caused problems for defensive coordinators or demanded double coverage. While Peyton Manning has Marvin Harrison, and Daunte Culpepper has Randy Moss, McNabb never had a top target.
Instead, he spread the ball around among a group of average receivers, reliable running back Duce Staley and Pro Bowl tight end Chad Lewis.
Owens' arrival in Philadelphia has made an immediate impact on McNabb's production, and the offense overall. A game-breaking threat each time he gets the ball, the four-time Pro Bowl wideout creates opportunities for other players even when he isn't McNabb's first or second option.
"When you have a guy like that who people have to focus on, knowing that they are going to roll some coverage over to their side, there is going to be opportunities for other guys to make plays," McNabb said.
So far
Owens has 30 catches for 487 yards and six touchdowns in five games for the undefeated Eagles. Running back Brian Westbrook has 28 receptions, Lewis 13, Pinkston 11 and tight end L.J. Smith 10.
Owens' percentage of his team's catches (26.7) isn't among the top half-dozen in the NFL, and that sits just fine with the controversial star who was known for his tirades when he didn't get the ball enough in San Francisco.
"T.O.'s got such a great attitude. He loves to play the game. I think he helps everybody out," Eagles coach Andy Reid said.
Owens often has said he understands McNabb has a difficult task trying to please everyone in the offense.
"Donovan has to do so much and he is trying to get everyone involved," Owens said.
Pace
Last year, Thrash led the Eagles with 49 catches and Pinkston added 36. Thrash's 63 catches in 2001 were the most by a wideout during McNabb's first five seasons. Owens is on pace for 96 catches, 1,558 yards and 19 TDs, each of which would be a team record.
"I think this year people are seeing we are doing a lot of different things," McNabb said. "Yes, we do have T.O., and yes he's catching some balls for us, but other guys are making plays for us as well. Offensively, people know we are being aggressive this year."
Though the West Coast offense usually calls for short passes, McNabb has stretched the field with several long completions. Owens already has catches of 55, 55, 53, 45 and 44 yards. Pinkston caught a pass for 53 yards and Freddie Mitchell had a 48-yarder.
McNabb is third in the league with a passer rating of 103.5. He has thrown for 1,377 yards, nine TDs and two interceptions, and also run for two scores.