"The belief here is a team prefers to catch its opponent at full strength, wants to absorb the best shot the opponent has to give and, especially on the road, wants to be able to say it won anyway -- especially if the opponent is a heavyweight contender.

It doesn't want that foe to be able to say it fell because it didn't have all its weapons.

But I'm guessing it won't bother the Saints all that much if Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, who fractured a rib in Sunday's victory at Carolina, can't play Sunday. I'm thinking it won't concern New Orleans if McNabb is, at best, limited in what he can do because of the injury.

Heaven knows opponents have shown no mercy to the Saints the past couple of years when a key player or five has been sidelined.

So if McNabb, a five-time Pro Bowler and franchise all-time leader in wins, passing yards, attempts, completions and yards, can't line up when the Saints play in Philadelphia, just call it a break for New Orleans, which hasn't caught many of them the past couple of years.

"If (McNabb) shows up, then he shows up," linebacker Jonathan Vilma said. "If he doesn't, then we'll play the backup and get ready for their other athletes."

Playing the backup would be a major bonus for a team that's determined to get off to a fast start and has learned it has to bank as many wins as possible against vulnerable opponents because vulnerability is fleeting. And the standings don't distinguish between full-strength and partial-strength losers."