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.
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OK.... I think the world of #5, but "bring the Super Bowl back to Philadelphia" is a wretched misquote for a communications major. Philly is 0-2 in the contest for the Lombardi trophy. As for being excited about FA's, is DMac going to miss LJ? Is he talking about bringing in his buddy Ocho-Cinco?— Phrossty- Comment removed.
- It's very telling when he says "there" instead of "here" when he talks about Philly. He has never become part of this town, because of the draft day boos? I don't know. He could embrace a city, just not this one. Time to get something of worth for him now, instead of killing the cap and not having the players in the future to win.— Dave 123
- in 10 yrs 5 has had only 3 1000 yd rushers behind him... duce in '02 and bwest in '06 & '07 and only 2 1000 yd wr's in 10 yrs t.o. in '04 and curtis in '07....typical philadelhia we have 1 superstar and expect him to do everything....the sixers won it all when they put guys around dr. j that were on his skill level.....the phillies won it all b/c they have 4 mvp caliber players and solid role players.....a lotta ppl say 5 choked or came up small in big games but who has stepped up to take pressure off of him in those big games??? they used to say the same things about john elway until they went out and got him guys on his skill level like terrell davis, shannon sharpe, rod smith and ed mccaferty....no one in the nfl does more w/ less talent around him than 5......— the tru 1
- DMACRULES, get off your knees. McNabb is human just like you. You have to remind youself that you are not less of a man than him. Football is a team sport.— psu05
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- Dave123 - Maybe he said there instead of here because he is Tampa...why dont you over-analyze a little more. Who do you suggest plays QB next year if we trade McNabb...use your brain dude— jacksondog
- Dave123 - Maybe he said there instead of here because he is Tampa...why dont you over-analyze a little more. Who do you suggest plays QB next year if we trade McNabb...use your brain dude— jacksondog
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- Dave123 - Maybe he said there instead of here because he is Tampa...why dont you over-analyze a little more. Who do you suggest plays QB next year if we trade McNabb...use your brain dude— jacksondog
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- LOVE IT!!! MCNABB IS THE MAN and is committed to this team and philadelphia!!!! Let's get this guy a few more key players and WIN this thing! LONEFART and VOYTAS- Get out of town!- Mcnabb is here to STAY!!— jttemp2000
- Retire him in Detroit. Trade him and Lito to the Lions for Calvin Johnson and the #1 pick. Sign Jeff Garcia for 2 years, who knows the offense, is successful, likes the city as the starting quarterback. Use the #1 pick to take Mark Sanchez as your future. Garcia/Sanchez and Calvin Johnson. Problem solved. Never happen.— Relocator
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