FOR USE AS DESIRED
 NFC-POM-1      9/30/04

EAGLES QB DONOVAN MC NABB, FALCONS DE PATRICK KERNEY
& LIONS KR EDDIE DRUMMOND
NAMED NFC PLAYERS OF MONTH FOR SEPTEMBER

Quarterback DONOVAN MC NABB of the Philadelphia Eagles, defensive end PATRICK KERNEY of the Atlanta Falcons, and kick returner EDDIE DRUMMOND of the Detroit Lions are the NFC Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Month for September, the NFL announced today.

OFFENSE: QB DONOVAN MC NABB, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

·         McNabb led the Eagles to a perfect 3-0 September, the team’s best start since 1993.  In helping the Eagles to an average margin of victory of 14 points, McNabb completed 74 of 106 attempts (69.8 percent) for 931 yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions.  His 122.0 passer rating ranks third in the NFL while his eight touchdown passes tie for second.  McNabb is one of only three starters (CHAD PENNINGTON, KURT WARNER) who have yet to throw an interception.  In a season-opening 31-17 win against the Giants, McNabb passed for 330 yards and four touchdowns.  He followed that up with a two touchdown effort in a 27-16 win over Minnesota and concluded September by passing for 356 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-13 win versus Detroit.     

In his sixth season from Syracuse, this is McNabb’s second career Player of the Month Award.  His first came in September of 2002.

DEFENSE: DE PATRICK KERNEY, ATLANTA FALCONS

·         Kerney has been a significant force on a Falcons defense that has helped the club to an unblemished 3-0 record, leading the NFL with 5.0 sacks.  In a 6-3 win against Arizona last week, Kerney posted a career-high 3.0 sacks and seven tackles, including a key stop of EMMITT SMITH on a third-and-three from the Atlanta 11-yard line, forcing the Cardinals to settle for a fourth-quarter field goal.  In a Week 2 34-17 home win against the Rams, Kerney posted 2.0 sacks and six tackles, as the defense limited St. Louis to 280 total yards.  He posted 20 tackles in the month and is part of the NFL’s No. 2 run defense (61.3) that has yet to allow a single first-quarter point.

In his sixth season from Virginia, this is Kerney’s first career Player of the Month Award.  He is the first Falcons defensive player to earn the award since cornerback DEION SANDERS in November of 1993.

SPECIAL TEAMS: KR EDDIE DRUMMOND, DETROIT LIONS

• Drummond has returned 14 kickoffs for 423 yards and one touchdown.  His 30.2-yard average ranks second in the NFL and he has helped the Lions to an average drive start after kickoffs at the 34.2-yard line, second in the league (Philadelphia, 34.5).  Drummond’s 99-yard touchdown against the Texans in Week 2 helped repel a Houston rally, sparking the Lions to a 28-16 victory.  Detroit started the season on a positive note with a 20-16 win in Chicago and Drummond set up the go-ahead touchdown with a 41-yard fourth-quarter return.  Last week against Philadelphia, Drummond’s 73-yard return led to a touchdown.

In his third year from Penn State, this Drummond’s first Player of the Month Award.  He is the first Lion returner to earn the honor since DESMOND HOWARD in September of 2000.

2004 NFC PLAYERS OF THE MONTH