Former Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Hugh Douglas criticized quarterback Donovan McNabb during a radio interview on Tuesday, in particular that the signal-caller is not a good leader.

"The thing that Donovan needs — it's been proven, especially this year — he needs other people to lead," Douglas told WIP-AM (610). "He's not a leader. He doesn't want to lead. He is the leader on the field as a quarterback; he isn't a team leader. He needs a good supporting cast."

When contacted by the Philadelphia Inquirer later Tuesday, Douglas said, "In order to be a leader, you have to be in people's face; if that is what you think, he isn't that guy. Donovan will lead on the football field, and if you need him to give a Vince Lombardi speech, he won't."

Douglas told the newspaper that he talked with McNabb after the radio interview and that McNabb was OK with what Douglas had said.

Douglas, hired as the Eagles' ambassador after being waived in September, also said in the radio interview that coach Andy Reid was wrong when he thought there were leaders on the team.

"Big Red (Reid) thought he had a bunch of leaders," Douglas said. "When he realized (he didn't), it was too late.

"At some point, (Reid) is going to have to go in that locker room and make it like Beirut again, to be totally honest," Douglas told WIP-AM. "It's obvious right now that the guys who he thinks are leaders aren't his leaders, and the young guys aren't ready to lead."

Eagles cornerback Sheldon Brown told the Inquirer that he disagreed with Douglas.

The Terrell Owens saga      McNabb rips T.O. for wanting white QB Ventre: Donovan becoming the new T.O. Vote: Do you agree with McNabb? Ex-Eagle Douglas: McNabb not a leader Chiefs join others in pursuit of Owens Expert: Market for T.O. will be hot Timeline of Owens' controversies   Slide show: A controversial career

"To me, that is disrespecting guys he played with," Brown told the newspaper. "How can you say guys like Brian Dawkins or Jon Runyan aren't leaders? It's a comment that doesn't speak fairly to guys we have in the locker room, and I think that is just radio talk.

"I don't care what Hugh says," Brown said. "Quite frankly, the guys I am playing with I trust, and I trust the leaders we have. I am around them every day, and Hugh isn't around them every day."

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Steelers shrug off snow flurries, pelt Bengals Steelers are undergoing identity crisis Cincy won't elaborate on Ocho Cinco benching Report: Browns courting Cowher as next coach Quinn has broken finger, will still try to play Browns GM sent fan e-mail containing expletive Jerry Jones 'responsible' for 'Pacman' issues? Curran: Ryan starting to look Brady-like in Atlanta Curran's blog: Falcons set their sights on Panthers Mailbag: Cowboys need to get on a roll NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: