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.
Dmacfools.....They were talking about him scrambling for yardage. Did you take your meds today?— Voytas- I want: A big bruising back. Like Brandon Jacobs. Another RB/real FB to eat up the minutes on a drive, give Westbrook a rest and get that 1 or 2 yard gain. And figure out what happened to the Eagles D against the Cards.— psv
- If Tampa won, would there even be a blog about #5 staying. I think not. Just remember the play before the benching. He wants a new deal. O.K. #5 here it is. You finish out the last two years of your contract and we won't bench you if you put the ball on the numbers and not on the groundhogs!— Dave 123
- no what I want is for only philly fans to post on this site..... Eli fans can post on his site.— stevo8drum
- I'd prefer to see Mcnabb play for Minnesota or Chicago. I think those 2 situations provide the best opportunity for him to get that ring. I also feel those 2 organizations would ensure he has the weapons to win it all. As much as I would love to see him get one in Philly it is equally disturbing that he would make his haters happy and that is something I would not want to see. They would quickly point to Westbrook's 2 yds per carry as reasons for any success in Philly.— mongoS
- bottom line haters..... McNabb isnt going anywhere. THANK GOD!!!!!! can you talk about something else now?— stevo8drum
- Mongo... I live in MN... trust me he doesnt want to come here. They cheer loudly when their team has the ball. They dont know the game. Its a bad place to play.... its really lame.— stevo8drum
- Lonewolf--please shut up-you're such an idiot
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- thanx DMACRULES you made my day..... Lonewolf...... i get on you about your lack of football knowledge but in all honesty..... have a blessed weekend man. May God bless you and yours.— stevo8drum
- wolfie--I think people know your agenda by now-most of us are sick of hearing it-speaking of never bringing anything to the table--the next you bring something of importance to the forum will be the first--you're a tiring, long-winded blowhard that is a racist. we know your stance--shut up already!
- Lonewolf, if you win a title, you don't have to make demands. You make demands to get what you need. And Jurgensen didn't win a title with the Eagles, unless you count as a backup. And Ike Reese made the Pro Bowl as a special teamer, why do people give him so much credit? What does he know about playing QB in the NFL?— G
- McNabb: "I want to retire an Eagle." They way he plays in big games the Eagle he may retire will be Andy Reid.— Will T.
- Part of the reason why this team (as is) can't win is because the fans are in a love fest with Westbrook and continues to make excuses for him. I think that West is a GREAT football player, but he's a medicore running back at best. He can't pound the ball between the tackles and instead dances around looking for a hole and usually he gains no yards or loses a few. West is quick and fast in the open field, but can't run the ball. There's a reason why the Eagles don't run the ball much.. Westbrook can't do it! We need to acknowledge what Westbrook is... a great open field, screen pass back and not accept him as our main running back. Get a good (real) back, the Eagles could win. The playoff game where Westbrook ran 73 yds for a td proves my point. He averaged less than 2 yds/carry the rest of the game. If Westbrook gets hurt playing for a team that doesn't run the ball much, imagine what would happen if they DID run the ball more with West?— androoo
