ESPN NFC East Blog

Posted by ESPN.com's Matt Mosley

In case you missed it, Marcus Hayes has an excellent story on Eagles wide receiver Hank Baskett in Wednesday's Daily News. Growing up in Clovis, N.M., Baskett constantly battled asthma. As Hayes writes, he would sometimes race by the bench and puff on his inhaler during basketball games.

	Eric Hartline/US PRESSWIRE
	The time Hank Baskett put in with Donovan McNabb this summer appears to be paying off.

On Aug. 30, 1999, Baskett pushed himself too hard and passed out on the Clovis High School practice field. On that same day, a ninth-grade girl with asthma named Sarah Upton from Clovis was forced to run too many sprints, and ended up dying in a classroom. Her tragic death rocked the community, and it had a profound effect on Baskett.

He went on to have a brilliant career at the University of New Mexico, and after a brief stay in Minnesota, he's now a valuable part of the Eagles' offense. He joined Donovan McNabb at his workout camp in Arizona this summer. And check out this quote from his father regarding McNabb:

"This is probably one of the biggest investments you'll make," his father, Hank Jr., told him. "Donovan controls your future."

Pretty sage advice right there. If you're a young receiver for the Eagles (see DeSean Jackson and Jason Avant), how could you pass on this opportunity? Early in the season, the investment has paid huge dividends for Baskett and the Eagles. He has 12 catches for 197 yards, including a 90-yard touchdown. At 6-foot-4, he could become a consistent weapon in the red zone for McNabb.

Lots of news out there today, but I thought you guys would enjoy this story. Thanks for making this the most heavily read NFC East blog in the country.