Winning has got Donovan McNabb holding all the cards now.
McNabb got a hold of the cards by leading the Eagles to wins in five of their last six games. He wants a new contract. He wants more respect from everybody, the media, the fans and the Eagles organization.
If he keeps winning he's going to get all of them.
Some people are motivated by praise. Others are motivated by criticism.
McNabb seems to be motivated by playing the victim. He is motivated to prove everybody wrong. He wants to be able to say I told you so.
He wants to expose what he feels is unfair treatment. He was ready to burst after the Minnesota game. He's getting more snippy and aggressive with the media in his news conferences because after all he's got the cards now.
He didn't like it when the Eagles drafted Kevin Kolb to replace him. He didn't like being benched during halftime of the Baltimore game. He doesn't like to be criticized constantly in Philadelphia.
He wants to bring back the trophy and shut everybody up. Give me my respect.
He asks what other franchise quarterback has been benched. How many interceptions did Brett Favre throw this year? Was he benched?
There's no question that the benching did something for McNabb whether he wants to admit to it or not. He sees the field better and is more focused now. He's making better decisions with the football.
This is the McNabb who has one of the best interception-to-touchdown and pass ratios of all time. McNabb wins because he doesn't turn the ball over. He knows that playoff football is all about staying away from turnovers.
The job he did in the Minnesota game of delivering strike after strike despite the pressure the Vikings were bringing, was amazing and evidence that he's still amongst the best in the game.
If he continues to win he's going to get everything he wants.