Ever since Donovan McNabb was selected second overall in the 1999 NFL draft as the first draft pick of the Andy Reid era, McNabb and Reid have been inextricably linked. On the day that Reid's contract was extended through 2013, McNabb reflected on what's made their partnership so successful and the type of leader that Reid has evolved into.
"It's well deserved for him," McNabb said. "I'm happy for him. I thought it was a great move on their part, just the success that he's had over the past decade. (He's) a great coach. This team has always been ready to roll, been very competitive, and playoff appearances, and so on. I'm happy for what they decided to do with Andy. I think it's a great situation for both of them."
In 1999, McNabb and Reid's first season, the Eagles went 5-11. The following year, they reversed that record to 11-5 and haven't looked back since, suffering only one losing season for a full decade.
"If you look at his body of work and his track record, it speaks for itself and that's why it's kind of a no-brainer," McNabb said.
And nobody can speak to the evolvement of Reid's coaching philosophy better than McNabb.
"I think what he has done over the last decade is gaining the trust of his players and his leaders to make sure they take care of things in-house," McNabb said. "I think earlier on, I think for all coaches, they come in and they want to be the big disciplinarian, they kind of want to make their mark of their coaching style, their approach to things, and I think as years continue on the success that you have over your teaching, you let your leaders kind of step in a role and get the guys going and make sure that everybody is ready at all times, and I think Andy has done a great job with that.
"Also, he makes sure that we're prepared, bringing in great coaches that obviously can fill in certain situations due to whatever may happen, like with (defensive coordinator) Sean McDermott, and be able to continue on with the success that we've had. That's when you kind of get rewarded with something like that."
Although the focus for McNabb and the rest of the Eagles is solely on performing at their highest level this season, the quarterback hopes that he and Reid can continue their alliance for years to come.
"I would hope so because we have been linked together and the success that we've had here is obviously from both of us being here," McNabb said. "Hopefully something will be able to be done, but at this particular point my main focus is on what we need to do this year."
-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 5:38 p.m., December 9
