Still recovering mentally and physically from the most difficult season of his NFL career, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb said Tuesday afternoon that his rehabilitation from sports hernia surgery is "going great" and that he expects to participate in the team's offseason program. "I've been rehabilitating for the last four to six weeks and I've taken big strides," said McNabb, after making a promotional appearance in conjunction with Super Bowl week. "The good thing about this is that we have some time. I don't have to rush things. So it's just a matter of going through the process. [But] it should be fine." The Eagles' star underwent surgery, performed by Dr. William Meyers at the Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia, on Nov. 28. He was off his feet for three weeks following the procedure and has been rehabilitating ever since at the team's NovaCare Complex. At some point in the next few weeks, McNabb said, he will go to Arizona, where he usually spends his offseasons, and continue his recovery there.

Tom Nalen sat in a near-empty Broncos locker room Monday at Dove Valley and pondered how Denver could improve in 2006. When asked about one of the most talented players expected to be available this offseason, Nalen didn't hesitate. "I'd take T.O.," said Denver's venerable center and a quiet leader. Nalen said controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens would succeed in Denver. Nalen - whose opinion was backed by other Broncos players Monday - said Denver's veteran-oriented roster could help Owens work his way back into the NFL. Nalen said the presence of fellow veteran receiver Rod Smith - the undisputed leader of the Broncos - would help Owens adjust quickly if he were to come to Denver. "If it would work anywhere, I think it would work here because of the guys in the locker room," Nalen said. "Guys would keep him straight ... I think he'd conform. He'd fit in here." The Broncos often lacked the ability to attack deep down the field this season. Asked whether he thought Owens would enhance Denver's offense to the point of making it a Super Bowl team, Nalen said, "He'd fit into any offense. He's a great player."

Speaking about Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens on Tuesday, Dolphins coach Nick Saban left the door open about his interest in acquiring the controversial wide receiver during the off-season. "I think we're interested in anybody who would make our team better," Saban said on ESPN Radio's The Dan Patrick Show. "Guys who have been proven playmakers in this league are all people we would be interested in." Saban said he didn't know whether he was willing to make Owens his next reclamation project ? like he did with running back Ricky Williams and wide receiver David Boston ? but Saban noted it might be worth the research to find out. "(That) can only be brought about by a lot of conversation and getting to know someone," Saban said. "I don't know this particular player well enough to make that determination right now, but it's something we might be interested in in the future." This marked the first time Saban spoke directly about Owens, since league rules prohibited Saban from commenting about acquiring another team's property. That changed when agent Drew Rosenhaus was granted permission by the Eagles to seek a trade for the wide receiver. Rosenhaus refused comment about the possibility of Owens joining the Dolphins.

Although the odds of a deal are slim given the circumstances, the Philadelphia Eagles have granted agent Drew Rosenhaus verbal permission to speak to other franchises about the possibility of acquiring estranged wide receiver Terrell Owens in a trade. But even the teams seriously interested in taking on the controversial Owens for next season aren't likely to be very interested in a trade, since they know the Eagles will release him in the spring. Rosenhaus did not immediately return messages Monday evening. One league source, acknowledging that there is virtually no chance for a trade, called the move "a formality," and agreed Owens eventually will be cut and then sign elsewhere as a free agent. Granting permission for a trade might be a last-gasp effort by the Eagles to try to elicit something in return for Owens before being forced to release him in less than two months. His off-field actions aside, it is believed that Owens, still a premier playmaker, will draw interest from several teams once he is released. Rosenhaus has been able to orchestrate trades under difficult circumstances in the past, but finding a franchise that is inclined to surrender even a low-round draft choice for Owens might be expecting too much. Philadelphia could, of course, arrange a trade on its own. But given Owens' contract status, and the likelihood any team acquiring him would probably need him to rework his existing deal, his cooperation would be necessary.

The Philadelphia Eagles promoted Marty Mornhinweg to offensive coordinator on Friday after Brad Childress left to become coach of the Minnesota Vikings. Mornhinweg came to the Eagles as a senior assistant coach in 2003 after being fired as coach of the Detroit Lions. "Marty has demonstrated that he is one of the top offensive minds in the game and he's proven that throughout his NFL coaching career," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "We're happy to have had him on the staff for the past three seasons and with that we feel this transition will be seamless for him and for the rest of the coaching staff."

Four days after firing Mike Tice, the Minnesota Vikings are closing in on hiring a new coach. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Thursday that talks between the Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress are intensifying as he appears to be the leading candidate for Minnesota's open head coaching job. Childress has interviews scheduled with other NFL teams, including the Houston Texans, and the Vikings are concerned that they could lose him if they don't reach a deal soon.

Tom Heckert was promoted to general manager by the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, ending speculation he would leave for Minnesota. Heckert joined the Eagles as the club's director of player personnel in 2001. He recently had been mentioned as a strong candidate for the Vikings' front office. "We're happy to keep someone of Tom's caliber in Philadelphia," coach Andy Reid said. "Tom has done an excellent job and it was important for this organization to have him continue in this general manager role for the foreseeable future. He's a hard worker and an outstanding evaluator of talent." The Eagles didn't have an official general manager, but Reid handled those duties. Reid also is the team's executive vice president of football operations. Philadelphia finished 6-10 this season, one year after losing the Super Bowl. It's the first time since 1999 the Eagles had a losing record.