Eagles Notebook: Agent: Donovan, 'Skins not nearing extension

Fletcher Smith, agent for Donovan McNabb, last night denied reports that he and McNabb are close to agreeing to a contract extension in Washington.

McNabb flew to the nation's capital yesterday and is scheduled to appear at a news conference at the Redskins' practice facility in Ashburn, Va., today at noon, about 40 hours after confirmation of the stunning trade that sent the Eagles' all-time leading passer to Washington for a second-round draft pick this year and a conditional pick in 2011.

Smith has said he is hopeful that something can be worked out with Washington, but yesterday, reports that the sides were talking quickly escalated into speculation that an agreement was near. In a text to the Daily News, Smith said: "I don't know where that came from. No, we aren't."

McNabb is believed to have used his ability to become a free agent after this season (unless, of course, he were to be franchised) to avoid being dealt to places he had no interest in playing, such as Oakland or Buffalo. That makes it seem logical that he would sign in Washington, but there are other factors. The expiring CBA makes the future contract landscape hard to predict, and the fact that Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning is expected to do an extension this year means the high end of the market isn't set.

Meanwhile, a source close to the situation emphatically denied a yahoo.com report that said McNabb was told last month he would not be traded to Washington but then forced the Eagles' hand by refusing to consider other possible destinations.

Another source confirmed that troubled defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, an expensive free-agent disappointment last season, was part of the Redskins' offer at one point.

McNabb found time while flying from his home in Arizona to D.C. yesterday to confer with his successor, Kevin Kolb, a source close to Kolb confirmed last night. Kolb told reporters in his news conference yesterday that he had texted McNabb, saying, "Hey, I'd like to holler at you later today."

"I just want to wish him the best," Kolb said. "The guy has been nothing but 100 percent professional with me, and a good friend. Honestly, I'll always look back at what he did for me and the way he treated me in hopes that I can be that same way to some other kid, when he comes around."

Kolb said that as he settles in, he would like to compare notes with Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers, who understudied Brett Favre for 3 years, and with a fellow Texan, New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees.

"He's gone through some things in his career, some ups and downs," Kolb said of Brees. "I would like to think that I can bring to the table some things that he does."

In fact, Eagles tight end Brent Celek made the Brees comparison when talking about Kolb to reporters yesterday.

"The way he can study a defense, read the defense, find the open receiver," Celek said. "He can really pick apart a field."