Looking ahead to next year's rebound players

	Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb had surgery to repair a torn ACL on Nov. 28. Simon Bruty/SI

By Bob Harris, Special to SI.com, FootballDiehards

The sad fact is, not all of us can make the playoffs every year. So how do I deal with falling short of post-season play? Simple. Instead of viewing it as the end of this season, I turn it into the start of next season.

That's right. Missing out on the playoffs doesn't mean it's time to pack it in. There's groundwork to be laid for next season. And that's what I plan to do in this space over the next few weeks.

This week, we'll take a look at five players who might (or might not) be coming off injury-shortened seasons and where they stand heading into the offseason.

Donovan McNabb, QB Philadelphia Eagles

McNabb's road to recovery is under way. The five-time Pro Bowl quarterback underwent surgery on Nov. 28 to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. The recovery time for a torn ACL usually is eight to 12 months. However, Eagles trainer Rick Burkholder said that he is optimistic McNabb, barring any setbacks, could be ready for the team's season opener in 2007.

"I think everything lines up perfectly, time-wise," Burkholder said. "The percentages say he has a good chance to play."

Forecast: This is the third season-ending injury in the past five years for McNabb, and although the ailments -- a broken ankle, a sports hernia and now a torn anterior cruciate ligament -- can all be put into the fluke category, but there's no denying the trend.

Still, given his high level of play (and production) when healthy, his recovery is worth following. Can he pull a Carson Palmer and return to form next season? Considering his surgery was performed a month earlier than Palmer's was (late November for McNabb; early January for Palmer) there's reason for hope.

McNabb's renowned work ethic is another positive. Dynasty/Keeper owners should hang on; redrafters should follow his progress closely. He could emerge as a draft-day steal