McNabb: 'I Want to Retire an Eagle'
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
McNabb: 'I Want to Retire an Eagle'
Daily News staff
Donovan McNabb made it clear Friday, in a session with Philadelphia-area reporters, that he does want to discuss his contract when he sits down with management in the offseason, and he suggested this would not be news to the team, contrary to recent statements by team president Joe Banner stating that the Eagles are unaware of any issues involving McNabb's contract.
But more important might be the fact that McNabb stated emphatically: "I want to retire as an Eagle." Asked about NFL Network commentator Deion Sanders, who keeps insisting that McNabb and his family want out of Philadelphia, McNabb said: "Deion's not speaking for me."
Asked about Banner's repeated assertions that the Eagles haven't heard anything about McNabb's contract from McNabb or his agent, Fletcher Smith, McNabb said the contract indeed will be discussed.
"Everybody knows that," McNabb said. "You guys know that, and you talk about it. We'll just leave it behind closed doors, communication will go well, we'll hopefully get things solved. We'll be (in the Super Bowl) hopefully next year, and I won't have to go through media row. I'll be sitting at the little tent with the chair (on an interview podium) talking about the game on Sunday."
His deal has two more years to run, but a new contract would lower his salary cap number - $9.2 million next season and presumably give him a signing bonus that would make it very hard under the salary cap for the team to part with him within the next few years.
McNabb suggested that he, Andy Reid and Banner were going swimming in Tampa today, with Reid "wearing a Speedo," Banner carrying "a little float" and team chairman Jeffrey Lurie barbecuing. This seemed perhaps to be a joke.
The Eagles have said that McNabb will remain their quarterback.
Earlier, in a tour of radio row at the Super Bowl media center in Tampa, McNabb said: “I have talked to the fans, especially early on in my career, about helping to bring a Super Bowl back to Philadelphia,” he said. “We got so close and we got close this year. I want to bring that back to Philadelphia because they deserve it. The Phillies won it and that was a great thing. I’ve been there 10 years and we’ve been so close and I want to be able to have that parade down Broad Street. I want to tell the fans that, ‘Hey, we’ve been working extremely hard to bring the Super Bowl back to Philadelphia and I want to do that for the fans.’ ”
As for where the Eagles stand and how he feels about the offseason, McNabb said: “I feel great. To finish the season out healthy, that is the most important thing. The way that we finished things out from no one really counting us in to the situation of the playoffs all the way to the NFC championship and that close to the Super Bowl. I’m very excited about what we can do next year. I’m very excited about the guys we have. I’m very excited about the draft picks and the free agents we can bring in to help out. We’ll communicate about other things as well as things continue on. I’m anticipating this opportunity of hopefully being in Miami at the Super Bowl.”
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Earlier, the Eagles announced an increase in ticket prices and changes to the coaching staff.
Geez,drama.If Kolb were really something,this upcoming meeting would be his Waterloo.But Kolb isn't something and the FO knows it. That's what this meeting is really going to do:determine Kolb's future.We'll see what the FO really thinks about him in a couple of weeks.— red rock- Man why don't people leave McNabb alone! I am not even an Eagles fan and I am so sick of hearing how bad he is.. THE DEFENSE LOST THAT GAME! No offense but Jim Johnson looked and coached very old..If he was sick from cancer he should have stepped down. His cancer has nothing to do with his stubborness. I am a huge Broncos fan, and believe me I am not comparing McNabb to Elway...WHat I am saying is that When Elway got his playmakers like Terrell Davis, Rod Smith, Sharpe,, that is when he reached the mountain top. I mean come on, who is Mcnabb throwing to? Love westbrook.always hurt. Brent Celek had a nice game, but get real. LJ sucks-curtis is a # 2 along with Jackson--Greg Lewis, Reggie Brown, all Jokes..Was Reggie Brown De-activated??? Not Lobbying for MCNabb, but Philadelphia Eagles fans, be careful what you wish for. It is cool to be passionate and want to win the big one, but It isn't all #5's fault..And those idiots on 610 make it worse.Does McNabb cry alot? yup...but he wants to be here so you have to respect him for saying that..Maybe this will end for Mcnabb the way it did for Burrell..His last pass can win a superbowl— sprbwl3233
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I don't care how many players you get, Donna-von is the most inaccurate QB to ever live. For the West coast offense, or any offense for that matter, IF YOU ARE NOT PUTTING THE BALL ON THE NUMBERS, you will not be successful, more importantly, not win Super Bowls. All yall Donna-von lovers are in denial and you know it!!— Reese- DMACRULES = D MAC RULES????? Donovan I am really suprised that you found the time to post on Philly.com with all of the interviews that you had today.— brandon215
- I can't take another 2, 3, 4, 5, years of this Cunningham clone. Great athletic skills - no knowledge of time management, field savvy or overtimes rules!!!! Just once I would love to see a killer instinct on his face instead of a boardroom demeanor and maybe a mean streak............it's football - a very violent game. It's too much 'business as usual' with him.— Tom Kearney
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- Hope he is here....Hope they draft a stud offensive lineman...Hope they draft a tall athletic safety.....Hope they draft a real number one wide reciever....Hope they get a stud running back.....Especially hope that Jefferey becomes "consumed" with the getting a Super Bowl .......for until they do all those things...stubborn Andy the coach, arrogant Andy the GM and penny pinching used car salesman..non-footbal man Banner will operate as usual......Only when Jeffery wants a ring as bad as the fans do will anything change.....Good Luck Donny....You deserve better— nuggett
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- It is amazing to me that after all is said and done the fans look at Donavan as a hero. In my estimation he does not give his all, he does not scramble to get out of a jam at times.Is he gun shy? I am sure he is thinking about the big check he collects from the Eagles. Oh well, another year lost.— duffy1958
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- Deion will probably be the first player to go to the hall of fame that couldnt make a tackle. I dont expect him to be able to "tackle a story" yet alone a player. All this from a guy that couldnt manuever the car over the edge when it counted!!!— PhillyInVa
