The feeling in Philadelphia seemed to be one of shock, but I'm surprised the fans didn't just go ahead and boo quarterback Donovan McNabb out of town.

It would seem only natural for the Eagles faithful. They booed their potential franchise quarterback when he was drafted with the No. 2 pick overall out of Syracuse in the 1999 draft.

They were upset because they wanted Ricky Williams, a star running back out of the University of Texas and the NCAA's all-time Division I rushing leader.

I can see the appeal Williams had back then. He looked like a can't-miss superstar, but his career has been hampered by injuries, a social anxiety disorder and his love of marijuana.

Still, McNabb wasn't well-received that day and I'm sure it stuck with him all these years. Those fans essentially ruined what was supposed to be the biggest day in his football career to that point.

The fans always have had a love-hate relationship with McNabb, who did everything he could to will the Eagles, who haven't won a championship since 1960, to a Super Bowl title.

The past few seasons, McNabb's name was bandied about in trade talks, which is never a good feeling if you're the starting quarterback.

When that happens, you're left to wonder how much the organization wants you, then they'll smile when they see you on the field and everything is fine.

Last season, the Eagles took a flier on Michael Vick, leaving McNabb to wonder what his place on the team would be. Then, the Eagles staff incorporated Vick into the first-team offense during the exhibition season, leaving McNabb perturbed. As the starter, he wanted to get in sync with the offense for what little time it had in preseason games.

Just last week, the Eagles put out feelers for all three of their quarterbacks, including starter-in-waiting Kevin Kolb. In football, they say if you have two quarterbacks, you have none, so what does three make?

The Eagles wanted the other NFL teams to dictate their plan of action. You give us a great deal on Kolb, then McNabb and Vick stay. You want McNabb, then we'll finally go with Kolb and keep Vick. You want Vick, then McNabb and Kolb remain.

If I were McNabb, I'd love to move on. Outside of winning the Super Bowl — he reached the NFC title game five times and lost in the Super Bowl to the New England Patriots in 2004-05 — he accomplished more than any Eagles quarterback had.

He's the team's all-time leader in passing yards, completions, attempts, completion percentage and touchdown passes. His 216-100 TD-interceptions ratio places him in the top five in NFL history.

But, that part of McNabb's career is over. Now, he's the Washington Redskins' problem. Yeah, the Eagles traded him inside their own division.

I can't wait until he squares off twice against the Eagles. I'll especially like his introduction to the Philly fans. "Hi, I'm Donovan McNabb and I'll look forward to sticking it to you."

Sam Tallarico is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.