Not bitter, just sweet.

By Michael Rushton

My how quickly we forgot about our star quarterback.

Our prized franchise leader, a corporate man if you will, had, and still has, been silent while HIS Eagles have put together a magical run.

He says he doesn't want to be a distraction, just wants to sit in the shadows and silently root for his club while rehabbing his knee. A knee that next year will again help his shoulders support the Eagles, let me remind you.

Since going down with his season-ending knee injury, McNabb has done everything right. He has stayed quiet, supported his club, and not become a distraction. But of course, someone outside of the game has gone and ruined it.

Much like a Drew Rosenhaus or a retired ex-play --ahem, Hugh Douglas -- can make matters worse, Mama McNabb has gone and done just that.

Sure, her blog started out harmless. A win over the Cowboys was just what she wanted for Christmas. A sweep of Dallas this season -- one game with McNabb, one without -- is cause for celebration. But then, just like a mother tends to do, she overprotected her son.

It's bitter sweet, she said of the Eagles' recent success. Her and her family all feel that way apparently. But heaven forbid, what will happen to poor Donovan if the Eagles -- gasp -- win it all. She asks if her son will be crucified, or perhaps traded? A Super Bowl win would mean another horrendous offseason for No. 5, Mama McNabb says.

No offense Mrs. McNabb, but you are way off base.

I seriously doubt one of the first things that would creep into our collective minds following a championship is a quarterback controversy. If this was our third ring in say, six or seven years, maybe. But on the heels of Jeff Garcia and the Eagles ending a 20-plus year drought, not likely.

What would the McNabb family have had us do? Give up the season because we lost Donovan? Decide we didn't want to make the playoffs because we lost our starting quarterback? Give me a break.

No offense McNabb family, but follow Donovan's lead and just let us enjoy this.

We could all see that Donovan was in a lose-lose situation here. If Garcia had come in and stunk up the place, Philly's season would have been done three weeks ago. As a matter of fact, we would probably be watching A.J. under center this weekend while counting down the days until McNabb stepped back onto the field to save us.

However, Garcia and the Birds decided to go with option two: win. Now, on the surface it looks like the Eagles don't need McNabb to be successful and that is what scares Mama McNabb. This is starting to get eerily familiar to when we lost T.O. before our Super Bowl run.

But mom need not worry, every Philly fan knows deep inside how much we need McNabb -- in the long run. A foolish QB controversy next season would be squashed the minute Donovan steps back on the field and starts rifling strikes into the numbers. I have all the confidence in McNabb and his return.

And if all the stars align and the Birds to go all the way this year, McNabb will be even more dangerous next season. See, he will have something many of his teammates won't: desire. No Super Bowl hangover for No. 5.

My, how sweet it will be.

Michael Rushton can be praised or bashed at rushpac@comcast.net