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Back with all eyes on McNabb

After a little more than a week's respite, we're back. And what is there to do as the offseason is about to heat up? Keep a close tab on Donovan McNabb, of course.

McNabb was at the Villanova-Syracuse game on Saturday afternoon and apparently agreed to an in-game interview. There he took exception to the comments of some of his former teammates and reiterated his desire to get an extension and retire with the Eagles.

Yahoo's Jason Cole also weighed in on the subject this weekend. Cole suggests McNabb will skip the offseason workouts if there is no "meeting of the minds."

"7. McNabb wants a financial apology. After being benched briefly in November and then coming back to lead the Eagles to a the NFC Championship game, McNabb and agent Fletcher Smith want Philadelphia to come through with a financial commitment to him. McNabb, 32, has two years remaining on his contract, which complicates things for Philadelphia.

If there’s no meeting of the minds, expect that McNabb will skip the offseason program. That won’t be popular in Philadelphia, but McNabb hasn’t ever really been all that popular with the fans anyway. The way he and Smith likely see it, what is there to lose?"

Clearly McNabb and Smith are interested in a contract extension. We just still haven't found out whether the Eagles are interested in providing one. While they have publicly expressed their desire to keep McNabb in Philadelphia, they haven't come out and proclaimed they are ready, willing and able give their quarterback more money.

Banner's State of the Nest

The Eagles are showing all their cards. One day, owner Jeffrey Lurie shares his feeling with The Inquirer, the next Joe Banner sits down with Comcast SportsNet.

The complete Banner interview will air Tuesday on CSN. One of the more interesting things he did was compare Andy Reid to John Madden, the coach, not the annoying announcer. Right now, we're not so sure what to make of that comparison. More on this tomorrow.

As for Lurie, he definitely cares about winning. But we already knew that. Ditto Banner. Anyone who thinks otherwise is being naive. Anyone with an ego -- and trust me these guys have rather big ones -- would not be content falling just short every year.

But from these two interviews this much seems true: Reid and Donovan McNabb are almost certain to return next season, unless they decide they want out. Then it's a completely different ball game. In the meantime, the constant discussions about their future is natural. Even Banner agrees.

"We all know the only way we can end that conversation is to win the Super Bowl, and that's legitimate," Banner told CSN. "It's a fair criticism. It's a fair question. But until we win a Super Bowl -- and we know that's what we got to do."

Will Shurmur's exit sway Donovan?

Pat Shurmur has worked closely with Donovan McNabb, spending the past seven years as his quarterbacks coach. Now that Shurmur is officially in St. Louis, what kind of chain reaction will it cause with McNabb?

It's possible the Eagles' star quarterback, who some (Deion Sanders) say doesn't want to be in Philadelphia anymore, feels even less inclined returning to a new, currently unknown, quarterbacks coach. Shurmur was highly respected and believed to have a solid working relationship with McNabb.

The five-time Pro Bowl quarterback's intentions should become apparent in the next few weeks. McNabb has been known to somehow get in the news around Super Bowl time. It's possible the quarterback could be in Tampa for Super Bowl week. A lot of players not participating in the big game find their way to the Super Bowl city.

Still, it's more likely that McNabb might not be heard from much the next few weeks. Remember, his wife gave birth to twins just several months back. That might keep the quarterback busy, and pretty much sleepless.

As for the Eagles, they have now had several days to let the anger from their latest NFC Championship loss to Arizona lessen. Their intentions will likely be reported soon as well. Stay tuned.

Eagles losing QB coach Shurmur

Eagles quarterbacks coach Pat Shurmur is joining the Rams and former Birds assistant Steve Spagnuolo in St. Louis as his offensive coordinator, according to Scout.com's Adam Caplan.

Spags, who was the Giants' defensive coordinator last year in their Super Bowl run, was hired as the Rams' head coach several days back. He is bringing Panthers linebacker coach Ken Flajole as his defensive coordinator, according to Caplan's report.

The Eagles knew eventually they were going to lose Shurmur. He was rumored to be a candidate last year for the Ravens' offensive coordinator job when John Harbaugh was hired in Baltimore.

"Pat's a very good football coach and teacher," Andy Reid is quoted in Shurmur's bio in this year's Eagles media guide. "He's received a lot of attention from other teams to be a coordinator [in the last two years]. That's going to happen for him."

Apparently, it is, and it's happening right now.

Shurmur had a good relationship with Donovan McNabb. Who knows how this will effect McNabb's future with the Eagles.

The Eagles' next WR should be...

He's 6-foot-6, ultra-competitive, is a hard work, has great athletic ability and can jump through the roof. Really, Kobe Bryant would be the perfect wide receiver for his favorite football team -- the Philadelphia Eagles.

Hey, as Kobe told the Los Angeles media several days back, he would be a great wide receiver. And who would doubt that?

"No more red zone issues," Kobe joked.

Probably true. Imagine throwing the fade in the corner of the end zone to Kobe Bryant?

All the Eagles would need to do is come up with a compensation package close to what Bryant is making right now in order to make this dream a reality. What is that somewhere in the $30-50 million range? Somebody send Jeffrey Lurie to the vault. Or not.

It's kind of interesting that someone who publicly denounced his affiliation to the city of Philadelphia several years back still has an allegiance to the area's football team. Shouldn't that be illegal or something?

It's also interesting that these comments come around the same time that LeBron James' NFL commercial debuted. James is seen in the State Farm ad playing football with his hometown team, the Cleveland Browns. James, who is very friendly with Kobe following their Olympic triumph together this past summer, ironically is a Dallas Cowboys fan.

Surely there was some friendly banter prior to the regular-season finale. But, once again, Kobe always wins.

Always about the quarterback

Yes, somehow, it always comes back to Donovan McNabb. Even after he throws for 375 yards, three touchdowns and put 25 points on the scoreboard, the finger pointing is at the Eagles' quarterback.

Sure Donovan missed some throws and wasn't perfect, but he did make some plays. Just, ultimately, in the end, not enough. And not on the last drive.

As for his future, for some reason it has become a topic of conversation again. No need. Don't even bother. McNabb will be back next season. He just led the Eagles to the NFC Championship Game for the fifth time in eight years. Jeff Garcia ever do that?

Coach Andy Reid will be back, too.

"Both of those guys have always had absolute support from the organization, from Jeff [Lurie] and myself and there has never been a question in our mind," team president Joe Banner told Comcast SportsNet.

Right now, the Eagles don't want to talk about a contract extension either. That will have to wait.

"That's a question for another day," Banner said.

That day will be soon.

Defenseless in Arizona

This is hard to do but it has to be done. The blame for the Eagles' latest NFC Championship Game loss has to be placed on the defense's shoulders. Yes, the same defense that got the Eagles to the NFC Championship Game.

The Birds' D just looked lost in the first half of Sunday's game when Arizona compiled 24 points. They then came up empty when the Eagles took their first lead of the contest, 25-24, in the fourth quarter. Arizona pounded the Birds with an almost eight-minute drive capped by a Tim Hightower touchdown.

It was an especially rough day for rookie safety Quintin Demps. He looked foolish falling down on a first-half bomb that Larry Fitzgerald hauled in for a touchdown. Demps also committed a horrific personal foul penalty when he cheap-shotted Cards quarterback Kurt Warner and didn't exactly make a good effort to tackle Hightower on the game-winning touchdown.

If it's any consolation to Demps, Fitzgerald made all the Eagles' cornerbacks look bad on his way to a three-touchdown first half. Fitzgerald was an equal-opportunity destroyer. He beat Sheldon Brown and Asante Samuel pretty regularly as well.

In fact, the Cards beat the Eagles' defense pretty regularly most of the NFC Championship. It cost the Eagles a shot at that elusive Super Bowl title.

Happy, hip Andy

Who is this Andy Reid we have been seeing the past few days as the Eagles prepare for the NFC Championship game in Arizona? He's cracking fat jokes about himself and talking about how he has text buddies. All must really be right in Eaglesville.

Reid revealed earlier in the playoffs he and good friend/former assistant and current Minnesota coach Brad Childress exchange text messages sometimes. This week it was revealed that Reid also exchanges text messages with Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. Imagine that, Charlie knows how to text too.

"We do the old text messages," Reid explained.

Nice. That's almost as impressive as Reid's rare display of self-deprecating humor. Twice in the same press conference earlier this week he made jokes about his own weight.

"I'm not superstitous at all. I eat," he joked.

"If [Dawk] would have asked me to stop eating, I'd be 120 pounds right now," Reid said when asked who made him go with the playoff beard.

Maybe this year is different. Maybe this is a good sign. The Eagles seem loose and relaxed, right along with their coach. It could come in handy come Sunday.

Open or closed dome?

Eagles special teams coach Rory Segrest seemed to think the roof at the University of Phoenix Stadium would be open on Sunday for the NFC Championship Game. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg seemed much less certain. So what's the deal?

Nobody seems to have a definitive answer right now. But if history indicates anything, expect the Arizona Cardinals' retractable roof to be closed.

It was closed for their wild-card game against Atlanta despite good weather. It would only make sense then for the roof to be closed once again come Sunday.

A closed roof gives the Cards an additional edge. With the roof closed, it's a much louder venue.

As for the weather and conditions, it doesn't really matter. We're talking about Arizona here. The five-day weather forecast says Sunny and mid-to-upper 70s every day. No wind, no clouds, zero chance of precipitation.

Clearly they could play the game with the roof open if they wanted to for the 3 p.m. (EST) start. The question is, will they want to?

Morning Flyby

Right now, everyone is just biding time until the NFC Championship game on Sunday. There is only so much you can say about Donovan McNabb, Andy Reid and Brian Westbrook at this point.

Thursday's Stories:

Who woulda thunk it? Charlie Manuel and Andy Reid are friends. They must have so much in common.

The Inquirer's Frank Fitzpatrick reminds everyone how important the name Bob Hurt is for Philadelphia. After all, he might have saved the Eagles from being in Arizona.

Brian Westbrook knows he must cherish this NFC Championship appearance. Running backs don't exactly have great longevity, notes the Daily News' Les Bowen.

Want to compare the wide receivers of the two teams in the NFC Championship? Didn't think so, writes Wilmington's Martin Frank.

Larry Fitzgerald is finally getting the national attention he deserves, says PhillyBurbs' Reuben Frank.

Lito Sheppard would catch punts if the Eagles let him. He just wants to get on the field, acknowledges Delco's Bob Grotz.

They love McNabb in Arizona, writes Grotz.

There will be a block party on the field in Arizona on Sunday, notes PhillyBurbs' Jeff Offord.

Expecting Boldin

The Eagles aren't going to get off too easy. Cardinals Pro Bowl wide receiver Anquan Boldin is almost certain to play on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game.

Boldin practiced on Wednesday after missing Sunday's playoff win in Carolina with a hamstring injury. He went to a Dallas chiropractor and believes the treatment worked magic.

Considering the enormity of the game, we would expect Boldin to play as long as he could walk. We're talking about a guy here that had his face shattered earlier this season against the Jets and returned less than a month later.

Boldin had an amazing 89 receptions for 1,038 yards and 11 touchdowns in just 12 games. No wonder the Eagles inquired about the physical wide receiver during the offseason when he expressed displeasure with his contract.

Too bad the Eagles had little more to offer than Lito Sheppard.

Morning Flyby

Beware of Arizona. That is the message being spewed by players and the media. And if those two factions agree, it must really be something worth noting.

CSNPhilly.com's Ray Didinger warns the Eagles not to take the Cards lightly.

Deion Sanders is doing a lot of talking for Donovan McNabb, The Inquirer's Bob Brookover writes.

Are Andy Reid and/or McNabb Hall of Famers? The Daily News' John Smallwood discusses.

The Eagles and Cardinals might have to share "The Stretch Lady" this week.

Safety Quintin Mikell has made a big difference for the defense this season, notes Wilmington's Geoff Mosher.

Darren Howard is still looking to make amends for that first career playoff sack he missed nine years ago, writes Delco's Bob Grotz.

Strong at the corners

Larry Fitzgerald is tough to handle. Ditto Anquan Boldin if he is able to play Sunday in the NFC Championship. Good thing the Eagles have perhaps the best cornerback tandem in the NFL.

Asante Samuel has proven the last few weeks why he is considered on of the league's most explosive, playmaking cornerbacks. He breaks on the ball as good as anyone, and always seems to be in the right position. Samuel rarely gets beat for big plays.

Sheldon Brown is almost as effective, even though he's not picking off passes on a regular basis like Samuel. Brown is just steady, physical and gets the job done. He oftens remains in obscurity. But when you're a cornerback in the NFL and nobody hears your name, it means you're doing a good job.

All this bodes well for the Eagles on Sunday when they try to slow down one of the league's most potent passing attacks, led by quarterback Kurt Warner, Fitzgerald and Boldin. The Eagles, unlike the Carolina Panthers, who have no Samuel or Sheldon to boast, have the capability to do it. And they will have to on Sunday if they want to make the Super Bowl.

Joselio Hanson and maybe even Lito Sheppard will help as well when the Eagles use all their available resources to shut down the Cards' passing game. The Eagles' secondary depth is a huge advantage heading into the NFC Championship Game. 

"It's the deepest secondary [I've ever had], there's no question about it," defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said last week. "With Lito in the backup role and Joselio in the nickel, and the safeties, it has very good depth."

With wide receiver Steve Breaston also a force and Boldin seemingly ready to return, the Eagles are going to need that depth to make the Super Bowl. 

Morning Flyby

The Eagles' 23-11 playoff victory over the Giants on Sunday makes them this season's best NFC East team. Tough to comprehend given the Giants' dominance most of the season and the Birds' struggles.

Monday's Stories:

It's hard to believe but the Eagles are back in the NFC Championship for the fifth time in eight seasons, writes CSNPhilly.com's Andy Schwartz.

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie is celebrating anything right now. He won't be celebrating unless the Eagles win the Super Bowl, CSNPhilly.com's Jordan Raanan.

Amazingly the Eagles look like a Super Bowl team, notes The Inquirer's Phil Sheridan.

Kevin Curtis had a bad drop in Sunday's win, but the Eagles immediately went back to him and the diminutive wide receiver came through, writes the Daily News' Paul Domowitch.

The Daily News' Rich Hofmann says the Eagles' defense is carrying this team.

The Eagles' offense did just enough to produce a victory, writes Wilmington's Kevin Tresolini.

Right now the Birds look like a team of destiny says Delco's Jack McCaffery.

Asante Samuel is earning the big bucks the Eagles paid him this offseason, writes PhillyBurbs' Jeff Offord.

Yahoo!'s Michael Silver notes McNabb's resiliency through all that has surrounded him this season and throughout his career.

McNabb is better than Manning

This is probably a bit simplified, but the Eagles beat the Giants on Sunday afternoon to make the NFC Championship game for the fifth time in eight years because Donovan McNabb is better than Eli Manning. Simple yet true.

McNabb outplayed last year's Super Bowl MVP on another windy day at the Meadowlands. He went 22-of-40 for 217 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. It was just the second 200-plus-yard passing day at Giants Stadium in McNabb's illustrious career.

Manning completed 15-of-29 passes for 169 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. His first interception in the opening quarter cost the Giants seven points. Manning carelessly wobbled a pass into the arms of Asante Samuel, who returned it inside the Giants' 5-yard line. The Eagles scored several plays later.

Manning also missed several big throws, especially early when he had trouble compensating for the wind and failed to hit on some deep balls. He wobbled passes to receivers all afternoon in the strong New Jersey winds.

McNabb didn't seem to have much trouble with the gusts. He drove the Eagles right downfield at the end of the first half against the winds. He then made throw after throw against the wind in the third quarter.

The Eagles' five-time Pro Bowl quarterback has now made the NFC Championship in each of his last five, full healthy seasons. Manning might have a Super Bowl to his name, but, let's be honest, the Eagles have always asked for more from McNabb than the Giants ever have from Manning. The Giants rely much more heavily on their running game and defense.

The bottom line: McNabb is just better than Manning. He's more proven, more accomplished over a longer period of time and more talented, especially with that cannon of an arm and nimbleness. In the NFC Divisional Playoff round, that was the difference.

Klecko active, G-Lew out

Fullback Dan Klecko is active and playing Sunday in the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Giants. Wide receiver Greg Lewis, meanwhile, is active.

Klecko (shoulder) wasn't really expected to be ready. He didn't participate in practice until Friday. Klecko left last week's win in Minnesota.

G-Lew was amazingly active for all 16 regular season games. Even Reggie Brown was the odd-man out in favor of G-Lew for several weeks. That apparently was due in part to G-Lew's special teams prowess. (Insert sarcasm font)

Eagles inactive list:

QB A.J. Feeley

CB Dimitri Patterson

RB Lorenzo Booker

LB Joe Mays

DE Bryan Smith

OG Shawn Andrews

WR Greg Lewis

TE Matt Schobel

Winner earns a trip to Tampa?

The Eagles and Giants meet Sunday in an NFC Divisional Playoff game. The winner is likely to be playing in the Super Bowl in Tampa Bay the first Sunday of February.

The Eagles-Giants winner faces Arizona in the NFC Championship. Both teams beat the Cardinals in the regular season. Arizona finished the regular season 9-7. Even the Eagles (9-6-1) had a better record.

Sure the Cardinals have some nice wins over the Panthers and Falcons already in the playoffs, but NFC East teams are a different story. Especially if Arizona has to travel to the Northeast to face the Giants.

The Eagles surely would have plenty of confidence if they faced Arizona. They beat the Cardinals 48-20 on Thanksgiving. And the game wasn't even that close.

Of course, first the Eagles must beat the Giants, who just so happen to be the NFC East champs and the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

Cowher points out McNabb's struggles

CBS' Bill Cowher brought up a good point during Saturday's pregame show. He noted Donovan McNabb has only one career game with over 200 passing yards at Giants Stadium. That doesn't bode well for the Eagles on Sunday.

Part of it could have been the wind. Part of it could have been the protection (hello, 2007). Or part of it could have been that the Eagles just didn't need for McNabb to pass for a lot of yards.

Despite the lack of yardage, McNabb is 4-2 as a starting quarterback at the Meadowlands.

His worst passing effort came during a win in 2003. McNabb went 9-for-23 passing for 64 yards in a 14-10 win.

His best effort, not surprisingly, came in 2004. He went 18-of-27 passing for 244 yards in a 27-6 win during the Eagles' Super Bowl year.

Earlier this season, McNabb went 19-for-30 for 191 yards on a windy afternoon at Giants Stadium. The Eagles won that game, 20-14, with plenty of help from the running game. They are likely to need plenty of help from the running game this Sunday to beat the Giants again.

All but Runyan

Every Eagle on the active roster with the exception of right tackle Jon Runyan participated in at least part of Friday's practice. Since we know Runyan is going to play, he always does, the Eagles should be pretty close to full force on Sunday against the Giants.

How many teams can say that at this point of the season? The Eagles do not have a single starter on injured reserve.

"I would say we are probably as healthy as anyone right now," Eagles coach Andy Reid conceded.

It looks like only guard Shawn Andrews (back) and fullback Dan Klecko (shoulder) will miss Sunday's game. Andrews remains sidelines -- he hasn't played since Week 2 -- and Klecko is listed as doubtful. He spent most of Friday working with the scout team. That means Correll Buckhalter and Kyle Eckel will likely split time in the backfield with Brian Westbrook.

Westbrook, meanwhile, was limited in practice. He will play however.

So will Runayn. He has appeared in 211 consecutive games. Even though he's listed as questionable with a troublesome knee injury, there is no doubt he will tough it out.

All the others with minor knocks, including Brian Dawkins (back), Asante Samuel (hip) and L.J. Smith (shoulder), will also be on the field for the playoff game.

Morning Flyby

The Eagles seem to have a lot going for them entering Sunday's NFC Divisional Playoff game against the New York Giants.

Tuesday's Stories:

CSNPhilly.com's Andy Schwartz notes the difference of the Giants without Plaxico Burress.

The Eagles have a chance thanks to Plaxico Burress, says the Daily News' Rich Hofmann.

Last season the Giants rode their defense to a Super Bowl victory. Now, the Eagles have the better defensive unit, says The Inquirer's Phil Sheridan.

The Daily News' Paul Domowitch gives the edge to Donovan McNabb over Eli Manning.

The Eagles are trying to follow the blueprint that the Steelers and Giants have provided in recent years, writes Wilmington's Martin Frank.

GM Tom Heckert has backed out of his interview with the Cleveland Browns, NFL.com's Adam Schefter reported.

Surely Asante Samuel would like to redeem himself from last year's dropped interception in the Super Bowl, writes Delco's Bob Grotz.

The Eagles' secondary is a big reason they are where they are, acknowledges PhillyBurbs' Reuben Frank.

Keeping Smith, Andrews on the bench

Tight end L.J. Smith and right guard Shawn Andrews both practiced Wednesday. Neither are going to start on Sunday.

Andrews, who hasn't played since suffering a back injury in Week 2, will not be active on Sunday. The All-Pro guard is practicing for the first time in almost four months. Even then, he is limited in what he is doing.

Smith, meanwhile, missed the Eagles' last two games with a shoulder injury. He will 'work in' on Sunday. That means he will be the Birds' No. 2 tight end as Brent Celek remains the starter.

It's not that surprising considering that Celek has usurped Smith on the depth chart considering that he has outperformed him. Celek had six catches for 56 yards in the playoff win over Minnesota on Sunday.

In a start against Seattle earlier this season, Celek had six catches for 131 yards. That's better than any of Smith's outings this season. The 56 yards receiving against the Vikings is also better than Smith has done in any game this season.

Ironically, Smith's most productive effort came in the game where he was injured. The former starter had seven catches for 49 yards in a Week 16 loss to the Redskins.

Morning Flyby

The Eagles and Giants meet for a third time on Sunday. This time, so much more is at stake. How do the Eagles win for a second time this season at Giants Stadium? Ray Didinger explains.

Wednesday's Stories:

CSN's Ray Didinger outlines what the Eagles need to do in order to beat the Giants.

CSNPhilly.com reports that Tom Heckert is meeting with the Cleveland Browns about their vacant GM job.

The Eagles and Giants come into this Sunday's game having traveled a very different path, notes The Inquirer's Bob Brookover.

The Daily News' Stan Hochman wants to give Andy Reid credit for yet another turnaround.

The Giants know they need to stop running back Brian Westbrook, acknowledges Wilmington's Geoff Mosher.

The Eagles defense has some similarities to the Buddy Ryan defense of the past, says Delco's Bob Grotz.

Asante Samuel has faced the Giants before. You know, like when he dropped the game-ending interception in the Super Bowl, notes PhillyBurbs' Reuben Frank.

Is Andrews coming back?

As Andy Reid said on Monday, "they're all good wins right now." They are especially good wins when there are no major injuries and several players, including All-Pro guard Shawn Andrews, are close to returning.

Only fullback Dan Klecko (shoulder) and backup guard Mike McGlynn (hamstring) were added to the injury list on Sunday. Klecko has a shoulder contusion and is actually in better shape than the Eagles expected on Monday. McGlynn has a torn hamstring and is unlikely to play on Sunday against the Giants.

Andrews was sent to California on Monday for what sounds like a final checkup with the doctor that performed his back surgery. The Eagles' starting right guard, who was hurt in a Week 2 loss in Dallas, hasn't played football in months. This after missing almost all of training camp dealing with personal problems.

Still, even if Andrews returns to practice this week, which seems like a possibility, it's unlikely he'll play anytime soon. All Andrews has been able to do is some cardio work, and considering the success the Eagles and his replacement Nick Cole have had lately, this week, next week or the Super Bowl would be a peculiar time for a change. Then again, this is the reason the Eagles have elected to keep Andrews off injured reserve now for over three months.

"If [the doctor] OK's it, we would allow [Andrews] to get back out and start practicing," head coach Andy Reid said. "He's been doing a lot of cardio work so being in shape won't be a problem. Actual football shape, we'd have to let him start off slow and get back in the swing of it."

Defensive end Victor Abiamiri (foot) is also doing better and has an outside shot of being ready for Sunday's NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Giants.

Morning Flyby

It's pretty much impossible to nitpick when you go on the road and win a playoff game. So criticism of the Eagles, Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb is put on hold at least for another week after their 26-14 win in Minnesota.

Monday's Stories:

This is exactly why the Eagles signed cornerback Asante Samuel in the offseason, writes the Daily News' Rich Hofmann. So he can score defensive touchdowns in the playoffs.

Brian Westbrook once again came through for the Eagles, notes the Daily News' John Smallwood.

David Akers enjoys kicking in a dome. Too bad next week the Eagles are playing at blustery Giants Stadium.

Donovan McNabb showed the veteran poise everyone expected from him in Sunday's win, acknowledges The Inquirer's Phil Sheridan.

Now that owner Jeffrey Lurie publicly stated he wants McNabb back, the quarterback won't have to answer that question anymore about his future, notes Delco's Bob Grotz.