The Philadelphia quarterback has overcome some early season adversity and has the Eagles on a roll.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Donovan McNabb heard the criticism, listened to the boos and played through the pain.

He used it all as motivation.

A three-time Pro Bowl quarterback, McNabb had the worst start of his five-year career with the Philadelphia Eagles. Through six games this season, he was the NFL’s lowest-rated passer with a rating of 51.1.

Fans wanted him benched and reporters questioned his skills. But McNabb never wavered. He knew he was the same player who led the Eagles to the NFC championship game the last two seasons.

“I don’t get caught up in the hype; I don’t get caught up in the negativity,” McNabb said. “My job is to be the leader and to be the guy that brings everybody together. You never show it in the locker room when you’re down, you never show when you’re up. You pretty much have to be consistent and focus on your job, just trying to get the guys going.”

McNabb handled the adversity perfectly. He didn’t sulk or make excuses and wouldn’t consider sitting out, even though a thumb injury affected his ability to grip the ball and a leg injury hampered his mobility.

“I’m not a quitter and I never give up,” McNabb said. “I’ll go out there with one arm or one leg. I’m a fighter. Every time I step out on the field, I feel like I can make that big play to win the game.”

That attitude inspires his teammates, earning him respect from coaches and everyone who joins him in a huddle.

“Donovan is a great leader,” tight end Chad Lewis said. “He weathered some personal battles when the media and everybody was on him and only on him. Not a lot of guys can handle that the way he did.”

It didn’t take long for the notorious Philly boobirds to turn on McNabb and the Eagles. Actually, it took less than 30 minutes. By halftime of the season-opening 17-0 loss to Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay, fans already started grumbling after the offense went three-and-out a few times.

During the fourth quarter of a 31-10 loss to New England the following week, fans chanted “A.J.” for third-string quarterback A.J. Feeley, who led the Eagles to a 4-1 record when McNabb was injured last season. After that game, one fan threw a water bottle at McNabb – it missed – as he walked off the field.

And then before the next game, a 23-13 win at Buffalo that followed a bye week, then-ESPN commentator Rush Limbaugh delivered his racially charged critique, saying McNabb was overrated because the media wants to see a black quarterback succeed.

In a news conference that was broadcast live on CNN, McNabb addressed the situation with the same poise he displays under a heavy blitz. He refused to let the comments or the controversy surrounding the incident affect his performance.

“Everything that happened early on, I always said it never bothered me,” McNabb said. “I used that as motivation and inspiration and just continued to get better.

“It’s sad that you might use some things like that or some words that may have been said, but it happens in life. Although things don’t go as perfect as you want it, it’s pretty much all on how you overcome it.”

McNabb and the Eagles have overcome quite a bit this season. They lost their first two games, both in brand new Lincoln Financial Field. The offense struggled mightily through the first six games before finally hitting rock bottom against the New York Giants on Oct. 19.

The Eagles were outgained 339-134 in total yards and 25-9 in first downs by the Giants, but still won the game when Brian Westbrook returned a punt 84 yards for a touchdown with 1:16 left.

That was the turning point. They haven’t lost since, last week moving into a first-place tie with Dallas at 7-3. And, McNabb has been outstanding in the last four games.

McNabb has completed 77 of 117 passes (65.8 percent) for 965 yards and five touchdowns in that stretch for a passer rating of 102.0. His overall numbers are still poor because of his dreadful start. He has completed 168 of 307 passes (54.7 percent) for 1,819 yards, seven TDs and seven interceptions for a rating of 70.5, 12th in the NFC.

“I don’t care about stats. It’s all about winning,” McNabb said.

The Eagles have succeeded despite a rash of injuries, especially on defense. They’ve lost four defensive linemen for the season, didn’t have All-Pro safety and defensive leader Brian Dawkins for eight games, and will be without Pro Bowl cornerback Bobby Taylor for the ninth time this week when they play the New Orleans Saints.

The offense also had a few injuries, losing Pro Bowl right guard Jermane Mayberry for the season and left guard John Welbourn is sitting out his second straight game on Sunday.

“It’s a tough-minded group. It’s a unique group,” coach Andy Reid said. “For whatever has happened with the injuries, they just keep moving ahead. We’ve got guys in and out it seems like at different positions. We’re not making a big stink about it. We move on.”

Led by McNabb.

AP-ES-11-20-03 1317EST