"I watched these last two games thoroughly and I also watched the beginning of the Seattle game," McNabb said. "I have to get my feet under me, relax, and be able to go from there. As games continue on, I have seen that. It's important that I get back into that mode starting early and continue on with that throughout the game."

Although he finished the 26-7 victory at Seattle on Nov. 2 with overall numbers of 28 of 43 for 349 yards and two touchdowns with one interception, he completed only three of his first 13 passes.

McNabb eventually threw three TD passes with one interception against the Giants on Nov. 9, but ended up just 17 of 36 for 194 yards overall, and the Eagles ended up with a 36-31 loss, at least party because he threw six incomplete passes to start the game.

At Cincinnati, he was 0 of 7 on the way to 28 of 58 for 339 yards and one TD with three interceptions.

And in that 13-13 tie with the Bengals, coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg appeared to script some short, quick and safe early pass plays that should have helped get McNabb started.

Case in point was the first play, which was intended to get the ball to running back Brian Westbrook on the perimeter. McNabb's pass sailed off target.

"You saw the things we did," Reid said, essentially confirming that play-calling effort.

So the focus is now more on McNabb's throwing mechanics.

"We look at all of that, and Donovan looks at all of that, so if something needs to be tweaked, we tweak it," Reid said. "The main thing he needs to do right now is continue to fire, throw the Football, be confident and do it."

larry.orourke@mcall.com

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