BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) -A year removed from the Terrell Owens circus and the disappointing season that followed, the Philadelphia Eagles broke camp at Lehigh University on Tuesday with high expectations.

``This is a Super Bowl team,'' quarterback Donovan McNabb declared. ``I think that (if) we get back to the form we were at, we can change 6-10 to possibly 13-3 or 14-2 possibly.''

The mood as the Eagles return to Philadelphia for the remainder of the preseason is far removed from the drama that dominated 2005. Instead, it's much like the feeling the team had en route to four NFC title games and a Super Bowl appearance from 2001-04.

``Obviously, last year felt different,'' safety Brian Dawkins said Tuesday. ``You can throw that one out. But, every other year besides that one felt the same as I'm feeling right now. We have a chance to do something and take ourselves deep into the playoffs, hopefully, and win it out.''

The swirl of discord that surrounded Owens and his eventual dismissal from the team last season, coupled with key injuries such as the sports hernia McNabb struggled with all year, derailed a team that had Super Bowl aspirations.

``The chemistry, the chemistry is where it needs to be going into the season,'' Dawkins said. ``Everybody is headed towards thinking about the same goals. It is an atmosphere that, like I said in the past, that training camp is supposed to be about.''

Dawkins said McNabb's Super Bowl prediction is just what he would expect from anyone in the locker room.

``When the leader on this team is saying we are going to the Super Bowl, then whoever I am on this team, if I'm thinking that, then we are heading in the right direction,'' Dawkins said.

Eagles fans will be happy to hear Dawkins refer to McNabb as the team leader.

In the wake of his worst season as a starter, McNabb's leadership was questioned. Allegations in Owens' recently published book that McNabb got nervous in big games added fuel to the situation.

McNabb has insisted throughout the offseason and training camp that he is the team's leader, but there was some concern that such declarations indicated the quarterback's grip on the reins was failing - or had failed already.

But earlier this week a teammate praised McNabb's leadership, bringing a smile to the face of the five-time Pro Bowler.

``That's great; especially from when my leadership got questioned to now, all of a sudden, I am a natural born leader,'' McNabb said. ``That's something else, too, but I've been a leader ever since I have been playing sports or even if I wasn't playing sports.

``When the lights are on, some people back up,'' McNabb said. ``When the lights are on, some people step forward and I am one of the guys who steps forward.''

Notes: Wide receiver Todd Pinkston (Achilles' tendon) took part in practice Tuesday, but admitted he is not 100 percent. He's unsure about playing Thursday against Baltimore. ... Cornerback Rod Hood left practice with a left foot injury. ... Brian Westbrook (left leg), Greg Richmond (back), Darwin Walker (ribs) and Jerome McDougle (ribs) missed practice.

Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.