Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Posted: 1:44 p.m.
By Dave Zangaro
CSNPhilly.com
EVESHAM, N.J.A familiar face joined the Eagles for their voluntary workouts in the suburbs on Wednesday.
Among the half-dozen or so Eagles practicing on the artificial turf field at the Memorial Sports Complex in Marlton, N.J. was Donovan McNabb.
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No. 5 is in town for a few days for the dedication of The McNabb Family Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Voorhees Replacement Hospital, to which McNabb has given a six-figure donation.
So while in town, McNabb decided to work out with some of his former teammates with the trainers from Power Train in Cherry Hill, N.J.
He spent the early morning at the Power Train facility and went to the Memorial Sports Complex in the late-morning hours with Jamaal Jackson, Austin Howard, Trevor Laws, Juqua Parker. They did agility drills with cones and weight training with medicine balls on the artificial turf field for about 45 minutes.
Im just focused on working out, its what I do in the off-season, McNabb said. So, working with a great group of guys. The Power Train guys did a wonderful job of preparing those guys. So, I was just looking forward to it.
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McNabb, the Eagles all-time leader in wins, completions, yards and touchdowns, was traded to the Redskins last year for a second-round pick in 2010 and a conditional pick in 2011, which ended up being a fourth-rounder.
But after a disappointing season with Washington in which he lost his starting job to Rex Grossman, McNabb's future is uncertain. The Redskins signed him to a five-year extension worth 78.5 million, but if they release or trade him during the off-season, they would owe him only 3.75 million.
Im just working out right now, McNabb said when asked about his future. As you can see, Im in some great shape and Im only gonna get better.
As for getting a chance to work out with his former teammates, the 34-year-old quarterback said he enjoyed it.
Well, you communicate with them, but to actually see them and work with them is a wonderful thing, McNabb said. To see Jason Avant (who was catching passes from Mike Kafka on the adjacent grass field) and those guys over there so, everybody is trying to get better until this lockouts over.
While McNabb seemed to appreciated the opportunity to work out with some former teammates, his former center did too. Jackson said he didnt know McNabb would be joining them until he received a phone call from his former quarterback in the morning asking for directions to the training facility.
It was real good. It was refreshing hearing that laugh, that chuckle that you could probably hear from a mile away, Jackson said. It was good seeing him. Ill try to bait him up to stay out here a little while longer.
With all the changes going on with the team, its just nice to know that you can still keep in contact with the guys.
And share some laughs. McNabb joked with teammates throughout the workout and apologized to about a dozen fans for sweating on them while signing autographs.
Were out here -- its not we play for the Eagles and he plays for the Redskins, its were out here just trying to get better, Jackson said.
Whatever happens with himwe joked about it a little bit in the weight room, Jackson said. I hope for the best for him and his family. Of course hes gone through a lot and its been publicized, but hes been a strong guy throughout and as far as Ive known him and hell pull through.
E-mail Dave Zangaro at dzangaro@comcastsportsnet.com.
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