Eagles' QB Donovan McNabb holds Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress in high regard
BY SEAN JENSEN
Pioneer Press
10/26/
2007 01:09:54 PM CDT
PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia Eagles Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb would roll his eyes and playfully break into song when Brad Childress would whip out a chart dissecting his position or an opposing defense to the nth degree during a meeting.
"He'd get creative with colors and helmets," McNabb said of his first six NFL seasons with Childress as his position coach and offensive coordinator.
"Brad is a stat guy. The last two years, he started putting up charts of teams and where they rank, and with every sack, there is a fumble here, and being in the pocket for this long. ... You hear that, and you're like, 'Oh no, not again.' "
Sitting in an office at the Eagles' NovaCare Complex, McNabb laughed and fondly recalled stories of his time with Childress, who became the Vikings coach in January 2006. McNabb misses Childress, professionally and personally, although the two speak every few weeks, discussing their families, victories and defeats, triumphs and setbacks.
"We're pretty close," McNabb said. "I saw his kids grow up."
Coming off a 3-13 season, the Eagles hired Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Andy Reid in 1999 to take over one of the league's worst franchises. With the No. 2 pick in the 1999 NFL draft, Reid planned to address one of the team's glaring needs, and he hired Childress to groom that franchise quarterback.
"It was the year of the quarterback," Childress said this week.
"(Reid) was looking for someone who would be a mentor and a coach for what was going to be the second pick in the draft, and we were going to take a quarterback." Specifically, Reid wanted someone who spoke his language, someone who could communicate exactly what he wanted to the young franchise quarterback.
And although he had coached quarterbacks one season in Indianapolis, Childress was himself learning the nuances of the West Coast offense Reid wanted to establish in Philadelphia.
"He was so thorough with Donovan, and so disciplined with him," Reid said of Childress. "He taught him the ins and outs of the league, while he was learning it along the way.
"They kind of grew together," Reid said. "It was awesome. They had a great relationship."
McNabb described Childress as a "motivator," constantly pushing him to work, study and practice more. Even after victories, when the inclination was to relax and relish, Childress kept pushing him. And when McNabb wanted more, Childress never disappointed.
"He was that leader up front, at all times," McNabb said. "I wanted to learn more, and he would always dig deeper, to bring more information to me."
McNabb said Childress also frequently communicated with Reid and coaches from other clubs, to "try and better himself" as a coach.
After learning behind longtime veteran Doug Pederson, McNabb took over as the Eagles' starting quarterback midway through his rookie season.
As with Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, McNabb's team went 2-4 in his first six starts, and he completed just 49 percent of his passes, a fact he shared with Jackson a few weeks ago.
But Childress remained calm, and he challenged McNabb to stay focused and hungry.
"The one thing about Brad that people need to take into account is, he continually talks about patience," McNabb said. " 'Don't worry about it. Just keep working. Keep grinding. Things may be down now. But be patient. It'll come. And before you know it, we'll be right where we want to be.' "
The Eagles finished 5-11 in 1999, and McNabb finished the season with a passer rating of 60.1, with eight touchdowns and 13 turnovers. McNabb dramatically improved in 2000, was named by his teammates the offensive MVP and led the Eagles, who finished 11-5 that season, to a playoff victory.
McNabb said he text-messaged encouragement to Jackson after his four-interception performance in an overtime loss Sept. 16 at Detroit.
"I just try to be that guy on the side, where if he wants to talk, I'm here," McNabb said.
The key for a young quarterback, McNabb said, is having the support of his coaches.
"When you have that type of support in your corner, it helps in so many ways," he said.
Coaching also doesn't hurt, McNabb said, which is why Jackson is so lucky.
In addition to working with Childress, McNabb was groomed at Syracuse by Kevin Rogers, the Vikings' quarterbacks coach.
Asked if Jackson could have two better teachers, McNabb said, "I don't think so.
"It's easy but hard for me to say. Easy, because I've had the opportunity to work with both," McNabb said. "What Tarvaris can count on is the fact that he's got two guys in his corner that will continue to push him and work with him."
Despite the Vikings' 2-4 record, McNabb said he is confident Childress is building a strong team.
"He's bringing more talent in, he's showing confidence in his guys, and he's obviously trying to develop Tarvaris into the quarterback he wants to be," McNabb said.
"If Minnesota fans and the ownership just have patience, it's going to happen."
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