Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles / Image: Zuma Press

Apparently, the Eagles were negotiating with Donovan on a contract extension, but ended up reworking the final two years to better numbers. The new contract still expires in 2010, though, so there really isn’t any commitment from the team to keep Donovan around longer than that. At 32-years-old, I get that, but the entire league would be hard-pressed to find a better QB.

The team will hold a morning presser today, but head coach Andy Reid had an immediate statement:

“The Philadelphia Eagles organization and the entire city of Philadelphia are fortunate to have a quarterback the caliber of Donovan McNabb. He has proven himself to be a talented player on the field, a caring member of the Philadelphia community, and a winner.”

All of that is true. Donovan McNabb is the face of this organization and one of the classiest guys in the NFL. Not to mention one of its best quarterbacks. And despite his relatively low completion percentage (comparatively speaking—with the rest of the league—at 58.9%), he doesn’t throw many interceptions. In fact, he has the lowest INT percentage in the history of the NFL. Donovan is a five-time Pro Bowler and the Eagles’ all-time leader in passing yards, touchdown passes, attempts, and completions. He also led the team to more regular season victories and playoff appearances than any other quarterback in team history.

Without a Super Bowl ring, I can’t say that Donovan McNabb is one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks. But he is certainly in the upper echelon. And worthy of the raise.

Sources: PhiladelphiaEagles.com, CSNPhilly.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Donovan McNabb Gets New Contract

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

It wasn’t Donovan McNabb’s best game. But he did enough (22-of-40, 217 yards passing and two touchdowns — one running, one throwing) to help the Philadelphia Eagles beat the N.Y. Giants 23-11 in an NFC Divisional Playoff game this afternoon. Donovan has shouldered more than his fair share of criticism over his career (most of it unjustified), but he doesn’t need to carry all the Eagles’ playoff burdens around with him. He is the leader, though. And by his example, the team has bonded and discovered a chemistry that finds them somehow on the verge of a Super Bowl berth:

“It was great out there, coming off the field and seeing all of those Eagles fans cheering for us. We’ve worked hard to get to this point. We’ve all hung in there together. No doubt the chemistry in the locker room is as good as it has ever been. I think the big thing is that we’re all enjoying this, having fun out there and we’re trusting in each other. When you have that kind of feeling among all 53 players in the locker room, it’s tough to overcome that. It’s tough to beat that feeling.”

It’s tough to beat all right. The way the Eagles are playing right now, I’m not sure they can be beat. When Donovan McNabb is healthy, he is one of the league’s best quarterbacks. And he’s healthy right now. Combine that with a defense that is giving up just 12.5 ppg this postseason and you’ve got a recipe for winning football games.

We all know the story of how Donovan was benched earlier this season during a lackluster performance against the Baltimore Ravens. And how he and the Eagles have stormed into and (so far) through the playoffs since. The Eagles look like a different team and Donovan looks like a different quarterback. Donovan won’t admit that the benching did him any good. He doesn’t feel it was justified (and won’t let us forget about it) and neither do I. Now, I’m not questioning head coach Andy Reid’s motivation or instinct in that situation. Obviously he saw something that caused him to react that way. Whether it was a message to Donovan or a message to the rest of the team that no one player is bigger than the whole unit, it worked.

I have to admit. Donovan McNabb is one resilient dude. Any NFL quarterback is going to take more than his fair share of abuse, but what Donovan has endured has been above and beyond. Through it all, he has handled himself with great poise and class and I do admire him for that. He seems to be having more fun that at any other time in his career and even if the Eagles don’t get past the Arizona Cardinals and into Super Bowl XLIII, he has already proven that he is as much a winner as any NFL quarterback I’ve ever seen.

Source: PhiladelphiaEagles.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Donovan McNabb, Eagles Have Chemistry

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Forget seconds. How about thirds? That’s the appetizer on the National Football League Thanksgiving menu this Week 13 of the NFL season — three Turkey Day servings of football, followed by a whole lineup of games on Thanksgiving Sunday and Monday. Even the players will be in their easy chairs. Like Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning:

“I remember watching Thanksgiving games as a kid. Even in high school and college, and now in the NFL, you practice, you come home and you watch Thanksgiving football.”

Football has been a part of my Thanksgiving Day for as long as I can remember. Whether I’m relaxing with my family at the Outer Banks of North Carolina or home for the holidays in snowy Pennsylvania (like this year), you can bet we’ll have all three games on — even if in the background during dinner. Thanksgiving Day has always been about family, food and football. I wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving. Here’s what’s on the pigskin platter:

TENNESSEE TITANS at DETROIT LIONS (CBS, 12:30 PM ET): Fans will see two of the top rookie rushers in the league in Tennessee’s Chris Johnson (second among rookie RBs with 833 yards) and Detroit’s Kevin Smith (fourth with 599 yards). Kevin has consecutive games of 96, 112 and 86 yards. The 10-1 Titans are smarting from their first loss to the Jets last week. “It was a great run,” says Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher. “We’ve got to win our next game.” With a win and an Indianapolis loss, the Titans take the AFC South.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS at DALLAS COWBOYS (FOX, 4:15 PM ET): The final Thanksgiving game in Texas Stadium, where some of the most memorable NFL games on the holiday have been played (Cowboys Thanksgiving record in the stadium: 21-14). The Cowboys look like they’ve regained their early-season swagger. The Seahawks will have to bottle up receiver Terrell Owens, who comes off his second-best career yardage day — 213 yards on seven catches. “He’s still got it,” says Cowboys QB Tony Romo. Whatever.

ARIZONA CARDINALS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (NFL Network, 8:00 PM ET): The QBs are riled! And that’s not good for the DBs. The Cards’ Kurt Warner, after Arizona lost to the Giants on Sunday, says, “We can play with anybody if we eliminate the mistakes.” A win and the Cards capture the NFC West. QB Donovan McNabb, benched for the first time in his career Sunday, is still the starter for Philly. “Sometimes you have to step back to step forward in a positive way, and Donovan will do that,” says Eagles coach Andy Reid.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL Thanksgiving 2008

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Despite being benched in a 36-7 drubbing against the Baltimore Ravens yesterday, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb will start Thanksgiving Day against the Arizona Cardinals. Eagles head coach Andy Reid made that perfectly clear during his presser today:

“Donovan is the quarterback. Donovan is the quarterback for this football team ….. Sometimes you have to step back to step forward in a positive way and Donovan will do that. This has nothing to do with (Kevin) Kolb’s performance or Donovan’s performance ….. As I sit here right now, he’s my starting quarterback. I need to coach better. Donovan needs to play better and the guys around Donovan need to play better.

Donovan’s “step back,” as coach Reid put it, was his benching after two pretty miserable quarters of work yesterday (8-of-18 passing for 59 yards, two picks and a fumble). Miraculously, the Eagles were only trailing 10-7. But the team’s problems go much deeper than Donovan McNabb’s struggles. Certainly, when you can’t run the ball or stop the run, your chances of winning more football games than you lose is pretty slim. For whatever reason coach Reid felt a quarterback change was needed yesterday, he understands today that his best chance at salvaging anything positive from a 5-5-1 season is with Donovan under center. The upcoming offseason, on the other hand, will probably be different story.

Source: PhiladelphiaEagles.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Donovan McNabb Remains Starting QB

Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook said he wanted to restructure his contract because he feels underpaid and made it clear he wanted to be compensated like one of the best running backs in the National Football League. Well, today he agreed to a contract (a 52-page contract) worth $21 million over the next three years, including $13 million guaranteed over the next two seasons, so he’s taken care of. With escalators based on playoff appearances and individual performance, Brian could get his salary up to $24 million. Head coach Andy Reid said:

“As I’ve said many times, I believe Brian Westbrook is the best running back in football. He can do it all from that position, whether it’s running, catching the football or blocking. He is true professional and leader on and off the field and it’s a great deal for both Brian and the Eagles organization.”

I agree that Brian is a do-it-all back and one of the top five at his position. I’m on record a number of times saying I favor the player fulfilling the contract he signed, but I understand Brian’s frustration with not being paid as one of the best. Last season he led the NFL with 2,104 total yards from scrimmage. And he’s the only active NFL player with at least 20 touchdowns both rushing and receiving (27 rush, 23 receiving) in his career. That’s a strong statement. Brian is the straw that stirs the offensive drink in Philadelphia.

Sources: Philly.com, NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Brian Westbrook Gets New Contract