But as Merle Haggard once noted, time changes all it pertains to. Westbrook's contract is in the news again, as the running back settles on a new agent, which as of this writing seems to be Todd France, a few minutes ago seemed to be J.R. Rickert, and by the time you read this, could be somebody else. There is speculation Westbrook might not show up for training camp tomorrow afternoon as scheduled with the bulk of Eagles veterans, though given the punitive NFL fine structure these days, a holdout would be costly.

If BWest was looking for a shoutout yesterday from his quarterback, looking for a "Hey, the Eagles need to make this guy happy, it's important," well, McNabb didn't quite say that. He didn't presume to tell management what to do, the week after Westbrook fired McNabb's friend and agent, Fletcher Smith.

"In that [2005] situation, I think it was different because we needed to sign him" to a deal past that particular season, McNabb said. Westbrook is under contract right now through 2010.

"I don't know what this situation entails or what is going on with it, so I can't sit and comment on it," said McNabb, who said he was feeling no effects from the shoulder tendinitis that limited him in minicamps.

Much like Eagles coach Andy Reid, who said he didn't hear about this Brett Favre business until a few days ago, McNabb said he was ignorant of Westbrook's move "until pretty much the day before I got here." (If you're stuck for a Christmas gift idea this year for either of them, a BlackBerry, or even something so retro as a newspaper subscription, might be a good thought.)

In 2005, Westbrook fired his original agent, Tony Agnone, and hired Smith pretty much because Smith was McNabb's guy and Westbrook figured that would help him get a deal. McNabb seemed to feel responsible for Westbrook. Now that Westbrook has shown Smith the door, well, it might not be too much of a stretch to say McNabb figures No. 36 can take care of himself. You couldn't say McNabb was taking management's side - in fact, he stuck in a "who knows if it will be me next year, or whenever," just in case anybody forgot Kevin Kolb is lurking. You couldn't say he downplayed Westbrook's importance in any way - "Everybody knows who No. 36 is," McNabb said. But you could say he made it clear this is not his problem, not his fight.

Asked if it is important that Westbrook be not just present, but happy, McNabb said: "I think we all want to be happy."

McNabb said he is confident Westbrook will report with the remaining vets, and "he's going to be the same guy we know. We use him a lot, and he's an important factor in this offense. For the both of us, if we are in this offense together, we have a great chance to win."

McNabb said he has not spoken with Westbrook recently.

Westbrook apparently sent an e-mail yesterday to several agents he spoke with over the weekend, thanking them for their advice and telling them he had decided to go with someone else. Eagles sources thought early in the day Westbrook was choosing Rickert, who represents another Eagles running back and former Smith client, Correll Buckhalter. Rickert apparently did not get the "thanks but no thanks" e-mail. But he also denied having heard anything official from Westbrook. Then reports surfaced about France, who represents current Eagles linebacker Omar Gaither and last year's original starter at Gaither's current weakside position, ex-Eagle Takeo Spikes.

France, who is based in Atlanta, told the Daily News he could not comment until today. The Pro Football Talk Web site said Westbrook has hired France. Calls and e-mails to an NFL Players' Association spokesman were not returned.

If France officially becomes Westbrook's agent today, he'd better be a fast learner. Sources have said the Eagles are eager to keep the Westbrook dispute from overshadowing their season, and they are motivated to get a deal done quickly. They were talking to Smith about a Westbrook revision when Smith was fired last week, apparently because the numbers weren't what Westbrook was expecting. After talking to several agents, Westbrook might have a better idea of what a soon-to-be 29-year-old running back can expect, even if he is coming off one of the greatest seasons in franchise history.

McNabb, meanwhile, is preparing to embark on the season many people think will either cement him as the starter here for at least the next few years, or herald the start of the Kolb era. He spoke forcefully about expecting the Eagles to "win the NFC." But McNabb denied feeling he had to get back to the Super Bowl to continue his tenure.

"No. I'll be here. We'll sign another 10-year deal, and I'll be here," said McNabb, who is signed through 2013 to a $113 million deal cut in 2002; McNabb can void the final 3 years of the deal. "Use that as the headline. Two-hundred million. Signing bonus about 40, 45."

Someone wondered if McNabb would have to ax Smith, too, to gain such a deal.

McNabb laughed. "He ain't gonna get fired by me," he said. *