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I don't know what to make of the latest Donovan McNabb story, and, frankly, neither do the Philadelphia Eagles.
According to an ESPN.com report, McNabb might delay talks of a contract extension "until he sees how the Eagles improve themselves in the offseason via free agency and/or trades." The implication was that if the club doesn't meet McNabb's demands for more weapons, he might not seek an extension and, instead, could pursue a trade.
McNabb's long relationship with the Eagles takes yet another turn? (US Presswire)
Maybe, but not from where the Eagles sit.
According to league sources, the club was surprised when the story broke and has no idea how to respond. What is true, the sources said, is that a meeting did occur last Tuesday among McNabb, his agent, Eagles coach Andy Reid and Eagles team president Joe Banner and that it was called by McNabb and his agent, Fletcher Smith, "to clear the air" on McNabb's future.
But, they said, McNabb made no demands of the team. In fact, they said, he indicated he wanted to remain with the Eagles for the rest of his career and did not mention a link between his future with the club and the Eagles' offseason moves. Neither did Smith, sources said. And while there was talk about McNabb's benching against Baltimore in late November, it was not crucial to the discussion.
The meeting apparently was called to bring everyone up to speed on where things stood with the star quarterback, and, from what sources heard, McNabb seemed comfortable and at ease during the talks. That would make sense because McNabb and Reid are in constant communication, with the coach telling Philadelphia reporters last week he speaks with McNabb daily.
In fact, McNabb is a constant offseason presence at the Eagles' NovaCare Center, with one source saying he had a casual lunch with Banner on Monday. That source also indicated Smith and Banner in all likelihood would have future meetings, but to discuss McNabb's future and not the progress of the Eagles' offseason acquisitions.
And that only makes sense. McNabb is paid to play quarterback, not act as the team's general manager. He and Reid have a cozy relationship, with the head coach on more than one occasion describing McNabb as one of the best quarterbacks in the league. The Eagles are not interested in moving on without him, nor are they interested in hiring him for their personnel department.
And that's why this story has the club flummoxed, according to sources. They said the Eagles were satisfied with what they heard last week and viewed it as a preliminary step toward a future extension for McNabb. They also said the club was not told of a connection between that contract and more weapons for McNabb.
That doesn't mean McNabb couldn't use more or doesn't want more. In fact, he has said in the past that he could use help on offense, telling reporters before the Super Bowl that the Eagles needed "more weapons on both sides, all phases of the game." But he also said that better health for key offensive figures like running back Brian Westbrook, wide receiver Kevin Curtis and guard might have made a difference in how the team played last season.
But that was not the news then. This was: McNabb stressed his desire "to retire as an Eagle," saying, "I want to go down Broad Street in a parade. The Phillies did it first, and I'm happy they did. But for myself and Brian Dawkins, it's something that we talked about for years. We look forward to hopefully bringing (the Lombardi Trophy) back next year."
Sources said he reiterated those words at last week's meeting. They also said talks about McNabb's benching were not critical to the discussion and that Reid and McNabb had resolved that issue in the weeks immediately following it. In short, they said the Eagles were happy with what they heard from their quarterback and his agent.
And now? Now they're puzzled but they're also not all that concerned about it. They will pursue a new contract for McNabb, will go through their business as usual and will not worry about whether their offseason moves meet their quarterback's approval.
Bottom line: Nothing has changed. Donovan McNabb remains the story in Philadelphia, even when you -- or the Eagles -- aren't sure why.
