A big payday for McNabb

Good for Donovan McNabb for getting the payday he deserves.

ESPN’s Michael Smith is reporting that the Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to restructure McNabb’s contract, paying him $24.5 million during the final two years. He was supposed to make about $9 million this season and $10 for 2010. After the two years, McNabb, who is entering his 11th season with the team, will be a free agent and test the waters, although he said he'll be in Philadelphia "for years to come."

McNabb has been a player that can never seem to win with the media. Or in Philadelphia, for that matter. And I can’t figure out why. As a starter, he’s won 65 percent of his games (82-45-1), led the team to its first Super Bowl appearance since the Reagan administration and averaged 19.4 touchdowns and 9 interceptions in his 10 seasons.

Keep in mind that he’s done this with minimal talent around him. Sure, Brian Westbrook is a top-level back in the NFL, but when you have to rely on the likes of Hank Baskett and L.J. Smith to make plays, it can make things tough. Still, McNabb is a five-time Pro Bowler, and – starting on draft day in 1999, when he was booed after the Eagles picked him No. 2 overall – he’s never gotten the respect he deserves.

Fortunately, though, he got paid.