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McNabb downplays he's upset Eagles drafted Kolb

NFL, Philadelphia Eagles

PHILADELPHIA -- Donovan McNabb had the same reaction most
fans had when the Philadelphia Eagles selected quarterback Kevin
Kolb with their first pick in last month's NFL draft.

"It was shocking," McNabb said Tuesday in an interview on
WIP-AM radio.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the draft on April
28-29, McNabb downplayed the perception he's upset the Eagles
selected his eventual successor.

And before the draft, McNabb told ESPN Radio's Colin Cowherd that the Eagles should take a quarterback if they had the opportunity.

"That wouldn't bother me at all. I'm the QB of the team and I will continue to be. But I think it's important to begin to groom somebody for 15-20 years down the road," a laughing McNabb said in the interview.

The five-time Pro Bowl quarterback also said his rehab is going
well following surgery for a torn knee ligament and he expects to
play in the preseason.

"When you draft somebody at the position you're in, of course
you have questions of 'What does that mean?'" McNabb said. "The
most important thing for me is to make sure I'm healthy and 100
percent and get back out there competing and do the right thing on
the field."

McNabb met with coach Andy Reid soon after the draft, but
wouldn't reveal details of their conversation. He doesn't have to
worry about his starting job, especially since backup Jeff Garcia
signed with Tampa Bay after leading the Eagles to the NFC East
title and a playoff victory last season.

"If I'm healthy, it's my job," said McNabb, who sustained a
season-ending knee injury in Week 11 last season.

The 30-year-old McNabb has led the Eagles to four NFC
championship games and a Super Bowl loss in eight seasons in
Philadelphia. He's finished the regular season on the sidelines
three of the past five years.

"I don't think I'm close to the end of my career," McNabb
said. "People say when you hit 30, it goes down hill. I think it
gets better after that. It's unfortunate I've been hurt the last
few years, but things happen."

The Eagles traded out of the first round and chose Kolb in the
second round with the 36th overall pick. Kolb threw for 12,964
yards, 85 touchdowns and 31 interceptions in four years at Houston.
He passed for 3,808 yards, 30 TDs and only four picks last season.

"I think Kevin Kolb is going to do an excellent job for us,"
McNabb said. "I'm going to try and help him as much as I can. I'm
sure he's going to do great. I look forward to working with him
this weekend."

The Eagles open their first minicamp on Friday. McNabb won't
participate in practices but will be working out at the practice
facility. He said he isn't sure if he'll play in the preseason
opener on Aug. 13, but expects to be ready for the second or third
game.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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