If questions remain about whether or not Donovan McNabb will be wearing a Philadelphia Eagles uniform next season, they certainly aren't coming from him.

On Wednesday, the controversy surrounding his pre-game interview with FOX sideline reporter Pam Oliver lingered in the auditorium of the NovaCare Complex, but McNabb, as he has all year, tried his very best to clear the air.

"Every time I've been asked that question, I've said I'd be back and look forward to maybe being back for eight more years," McNabb said. "That's kind of always been my answer all season. Nothing has changed from that. (Eagles president) Joe (Banner) came out to say I'll be here and I've always said that myself."

QB Donovan McNabb

McNabb was more gregarious than he has been in weeks, and even though he made a point of saying that he considers the issue a thing of the past, when pressed, he spoke earnestly about what he sees as a misunderstanding between Oliver and himself.

Since Sunday, Oliver has stood by her report in which she suggested that McNabb felt the Eagles organization was distancing itself from him and that he expected to be playing elsewhere next season.

McNabb said on Wednesday that Oliver had paraphrased remarks he made in a pre-game conversation incorrectly.

"She told you she paraphrased. That's what she took from what I said. That wasn't a direct quote from me," McNabb said. "I did go to Syracuse University and I definitely know when somebody says a statement, that's what you say in their statement."

McNabb also added that he was unsure of whether or not his remarks to Oliver were on the record, or simply part of a conversation.

"If you are asking a question of somebody, you are asking a question, but if you are just having a normal conversation with somebody that's not just something you go and report," McNabb said. "Again, that issue is over, we're moving on to the Saints and trying to help ourselves to win this game and have a good Christmas."

During the rest of his 20-question press conference, McNabb sounded very much like a quarterback who plans to take the first snap of the 2008 season from Jamaal Jackson. He spoke about how victories in Philadelphia's two remaining games would give the team momentum that it could carry forward into the offseason.

He deferred questions about offseason personnel moves to the front office, but spoke at length about what it will be like to enter next season completely healthy. Barring injury in the final two games of the season, 2007 will be the first season in three years in which McNabb finished the season at full health.

"I would treat it like one of the most important offseasons for me because obviously I did finish the season off and the last two years just didn't go as well as I wanted it to," McNabb said. "It's about being able to start fresh, start all over again and come back with a whole different attitude knowing that I am healthy."

It's also about moving past questions regarding his future. Head coach Andy Reid said Monday that he was "sick and tired" of talking about the subject, and McNabb said basically the same Wednesday.

"It's over, in my mind, it's a dead issue," McNabb said. "I'm just focusing on the Saints right now."