FanHouse Quintin Mikell

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- On the side of a hill at the corner of the practice fields at Eagles training camp, "JJ" is painted in white letters on a green oval in honor of Sean McDermott's beloved predecessor. A fair-skinned redhead, McDermott wears a wide-brimmed hat and long white sleeves in deference to the hot August sun and the skin cancer that claimed former Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson two weeks ago. When he goes to work out in the morning, McDermott still half-expects to see Johnson there, having beaten him to the gym once again. When he jogs out to the fields for the morning session, he's still surprised that Johnson isn't next to him.

While most of America is sitting at home, relaxing with family, and stuffing their face, NFL players don't get the day off. The teams who aren't playing today have it a little easier. The Eagles for instance had an early morning practice which should give players enough time to enjoy a nice meal with their families.

For the second straight day, Donovan McNabb did not participate in practice due to a swollen ankle as well as a swollen thumb on his throwing hand. It is unclear whether number five will see any action on Sunday but Andy Reid has said that McNabb doesn't need to practice in order to play against the Patriots. If McNabb isn't ready to go, they will go with A.J. Feeley.

"(A.J.'s) done a nice job up to this point," said Mornhinweg. "He certainly has the confidence of the rest of our squad. He will be prepared to play Sunday night (if he has to). He's played very well for us here."

Whether it's McNabb taking snaps or Feeley, the Birds will be fighting an uphill battle against New England.