McNabb insists he'll be back
Donovan McNabb remains convinced that he will remain an Eagle.
McNabb insists he'll be back
Bob Brookover
Donovan McNabb remains convinced that he will remain an Eagle.
Furthermore, he insists that's exactly what he wants.
After practicing with the other players on the NFC roster this morning at a Fort Lauderdale High School, McNabb was surrounded by a large media gathering here to cover the Pro Bowl.
In a later one-on-one interview with the Inquirer, McNabb said he takes Eagles coach Andy Reid at his word when he says he will return next season as the team's starting quarterback.
"That's all that matters," McNabb said. "I heard it when he said it to you guys, but I heard it before anyway. I think a lot of people look too far into things with all the assumptions about what could happen. (Reid) told everybody I'm going to be there and I'm his guy. I don't see anything that anybody else should look into."
McNabb also said he wants to be in Philadelphia even though he's about to endure another offseason debate about whether or not he should remain the Eagles' quarterback. He said that doesn't bother him in the least.
"It really doesn't," McNabb said. "What's wild about it is when you go somewhere, that's what everybody brings up: 'Hey, man, where you going to be?' "
McNabb said his answer is always the same: "Uh, Philly."
"It would only affect you if you allow it to," McNabb said. "This isn't my first go-around with it. I've been going through this the last three or four years."
Unlike a year ago after the season ended, McNabb is not lobbying for a contract extension or alteration even though he's about to enter the last year of his current deal.
"I don't think we should really focus on that," McNabb said. "I love playing the game and that's what it comes down to. I am under contract for another year. We don't know what's going to happen in 2011. We just don't know. If I have to come back and play (in Philadelphia), hey that's great. I would love to. I love this team and I love being around these guys and competing. I think good things could happen for us."
McNabb insisted that he has never given much thought to playing elsewhere.
"No," he said. "I let other people think about that. For me, the grass being greener is really what field you're playing on. When you're in Philadelphia, obviously, there are ups and there are downs. I've been a part of it for 11 years, so I don't let it affect me."
Even though the Eagles' season ended with consecutive lopsided losses to the Dallas Cowboys, McNabb believes this team could still be a Super Bowl contender in 2010.
"We're not far away at all," McNabb said. "We went on a six-game winning streak, we made good things happen with an explosive offense, the defense came around, everybody started playing well and then those two games hit, which was unfortuate. But it happens. It happened to us against the Cowboys, it happened to the Cowboys against Minnesota and to Minnesota against the Saints."
You can read more about McNabb and the other Eagles at the Pro Bowl in tomorrow's Inquirer.
Andy SAID he would be back. He WILL be back, as the starter "Goomby"....as the starter. I know folks that recognize my name will get sick of reading what I've been saying for a month now, but here we go again: This offense will score 24-31 PPG next year IF the O-Line becomes settled. The Defense MUST be brought up to at LEAST above NFL-average. If they can limit teams to 18-21 PPG, this team should go to at LEAST the second round of the playoffs. After that....no guarantees.— TBear- If Andy Reid stays as coach and he keeps McNabb the Eagles won't win anything. McNabb does not fit into the type of QB that Reid's style of offense needs. Unless Reid changes to a more East Coast/Bill Parcell's style of offense, which McNabb could thrive in, this makes no sense. McNabb is not a West Coast QB. He's a good QB stuck in the wrong system.— mikegdj
- Can't you McNabb haters take a few more days to enjoy the memory of Favre's latest (and last?) dumb, macho INT and let the Eagles' QB situation play out as it needs to play out? The entire Eagles TEAM got manhandled by Dallas. Before the Birds' 6-game winning streak, did you really expect them to go deep into the playoffs with that patchwork line and soft defense?— frankenslade
- Just get rid of Banner, Reid and Mcnabb what the hell, bringing them back for another and get the same results, The Eagles are my team but the next expansion team come in the league will be my new team and I bet you they win a Super Bowl before the Eagles.— douglasrdd
- "McNabb is a joke, Reid stinks, blah, blah, blah." He's staying, he is the starter, if they have a healthy o-line they will be lethal and either get used to it and back the team or f**k off, the real fans will sell out every game and root for every Eagle including Donovan McNabb....how many playoffs was that for him? Rhetorical question so don't get back to me with some bullsh*t about how he's just been 'lucky' and every playoff was because of Brian Dawkins. Eagles 'fans'...what a joke.— dr.elektrika
- no extension? risk injury in the last year of his contract? or does he get the uncapped year - assuming no lockout - and retire at 35? when he could get a fat signing bonus and a lot of guaranteed money in phoenix or minneapolis (assuming retirements) or chicago or oakland? all just so he can play for andy?— cowpoke
- What do you idiots suggest that he say? Do you think he is going to pull a TO and say he wants out and do push up in the driveway? Do you think he is going to badmouth the defense or the fans of Philly? Cmon you fools, get a life.— albanykey
- I can not wait until you Eagle idiots get what you want. Donovan is not the greatest qb ever but he is the best option we have! Last time I checked Indy wasn't interested in sending Peyton to the Eagles. You can all have Kevin Kolb and see what you get. A bunch of years not making the playoffs at all. Let's see what you will be saying then. The Eagles problem is and always has been their inability to run the ball. No qb has ever won the Super Bowl without running the ball. McNabb has Hall of Fame stats and you should be happy to have him. Why don't you worry about replacing that awefull defense or that mess of an offensive line!— bleeedgreen
- All I can say is that it's a good thing Andy doesn't take advice from "fans". McNabb was selected to the pro-bowl by folks that know a lot more about football than any of us. That means he's at least an above-average QB. Let's worry about replacing the players on our team that are NOT above average, and there are plenty. Put your bitterness about the two consecutive Dallas losses in your back pocket, and be objective.— dlscholt
- I am going to help you 'sports' fans out them getting rid of 5 and vick doesn't sound viable so one of them is staying because you then have to draft qb or try to slim pick the free agent qbs.— Marquis
Comment removed.- The qb gets too much credit when we win and too much blmae when we lose. Look at the overall defense and the fact you had a banged up line. I know, I know that too is 5's fault.— Marquis
- NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONO NO NO NO NO NO NO NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
- How about this? Why don't all of you McHaters just start rooting for the Giants. Then you can Hate on McNabb all you like. 9-7 in the playoffs without a running game at all! Why isn't anyone saying the Westbrook never shows up in the big games? His stats are not very good in those NFC championship losses! Jawarski won 2 playoff games! He is second in playoff wins for Philly qbs. You are right McNabb single handedly lost all of those games himself. There is a 53 man roster for a reason people. IT'S A TEAM SPORT!— bleeedgreen
- Bill1966, I didn't know it was possible for someone in their 40s to be that stupid. Please look up the definition of futility and status quo because it's certainly not 6 pro bowls, 5 division titles, and 5 nfc title game appearances. To the rest of the McNabb haters, I get it. I'm frustrated too. He hasn't gotten us over the hump and has had a long time to do it. Maybe it is time for a change if the price is right. But my god, give me a break with the "this guy is the biggest loser to ever set foot on a football field" talk. He's a top 10 qb and even the biggest critics will admit that. He's won us more than double the number of division titles (5) as a starter than we had the rest of the Superbowl era combined. Yes, he hasn't played great in the season-ending losses and certainly has his faults but how bout just a little love for the guy who made Philadelphia football respectable again??? Notice how he said he loves the guys and this team and competing but stopped short of saying he loves the fan or the city???? Ya I wouldn't have either. You guys are ignorant fools and don't deserve this guy. Here's to returning to the Detmer/Peete/Hoying/Pederson qb carousel. Woo hoo!!! Morons.— Funboy
