Eagles' McNabb has empathy for Jackson

Amid speculation that his time in Philadelphia could be nearing its end, Donovan McNabb, a five-time Pro Bowl quarterback for the Eagles, said he still believes he will finish his career there.

"I do, and I've said that before," said McNabb, whose 2-4 Eagles will play the 2-4 Vikings at the Metrodome on Sunday. "I can't really focus on anything afterwards. My focus is on this year, changing this 2-4 feeling that we have, and moving into something positive."

McNabb also essentially ruled out ever being reunited with Vikings coach Brad Childress, who nurtured him through his first seven seasons [1999 to 2005], four NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl as Philadelphia's quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.

"That's something again that's maybe later," McNabb said when asked if he'd want to play for Childress if the opportunity presented itself. "Brad is a great guy and an excellent coach, and we had a lot of fun while he was here. But at this point, unless he is coming back to coach here with the Eagles, that will be the only way that I will be able to play under Brad again."

McNabb is having an OK season, completing 59.5 percent of his passes with seven touchdowns, two interceptions for a passer rating (88.5) that ranks 15th. However, with the Eagles struggling, the pressure to ditch McNabb and begin the Kevin Kolb era will increase with each loss.

The Eagles surprised many people, including their franchise QB, when they used their first draft pick -- a second-rounder -- on Kolb, an interesting prospect from pass-happy Houston. McNabb signed a 12-year contract extension in 2002, but has not played an entire season since 2003.

Childress, of course, has his own well-documented woes at quarterback. McNabb has followed them closely enough that he reached out to second-year pro Tarvaris Jackson through an unsolicited phone call two weeks ago.

McNabb, 30, said he tries to be a mentor to young quarterbacks. He invited Jackson to work out with him in Phoenix next offseason. But, mostly, McNabb felt the urge to encourage a guy who reminds him of himself eight years ago.

"I see a lot of similarities," said McNabb, who, like Jackson, went 2-4 in his first six NFL starts. "When you don't make the plays that you know you're capable of making, it's frustrating. I've talked to him a couple of times just to let him know to continue to keep his head up and stay confident and continue to prepare. ... Things are going to change."

Jackson said he and McNabb talk "every now and then. ... He's an established guy in the league," Jackson said. "So just having a conversation with him, anything you can get from him is a positive."

Staff writer Kevin Seifert contributed to this report.

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JEFF WHEELER

Star Tribune

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Mark Craig • mcraig@startribune.com