Donovan McNabb

Updating a previous item, the Associated Press reports the Philadelphia Eagles will only deal Donovan McNabb for a pick in the top 42 selections of the upcoming draft. In line with previously reported rumors, the Raiders and Bills, considered the early favorites to land McNabb, have the 39th and 41st picks respectively.

The 49ers’ second-round pick is only 49th, but they could conceivably add another player or pick to entice the Eagles. The Rams, Browns and Cardinals have denied interest, and the Vikings, Seahawks, Broncos and Jaguars are not believed to be in the mix to acquire McNabb.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

New York: The player rep for Leon Washington responded to coach Rex Ryan’s criticism Thursday, saying the restricted free agent is “a bit taken back about the reports of him taking a reduced role in 2010.”

“Especially since we are four months from the opening of camp,” the agent added. Washington is working at the Andrews Institute in Florida, which is known as one of the best rehab facilities in the country. The agent insists that Washington is not unhappy with his contract situation, emphasizing that his client hasn’t signed his tender because they still have three weeks to draw an offer sheet.

Green Bay: Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy admits to being slightly concerned that success came to quickly for 23-three-year old TE Jermichael Finley. “You always worry about young guys that have success that fast,” McCarthy said. “He’s at work, he’s got a big smile on his face, but like a lot of guys, you kind of worry about them once they leave the building. But it’s all part of growing up and handling success.” Finley is set to move into the starting lineup in 2010, so it’s obviously not a major issue for McCarthy.

Miami: The Atlanta police report from last Friday night shows that Ronnie Brown had a blood alcohol level of .158, nearly twice the legal limit, when he was arrested on a DUI charge. Brown failed a field sobriety test and nearly missed an oncoming vehicle as well, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. He has no prior record of off-field issues, so Brown has a good chance to avoid an NFL suspension even if he doesn’t escape charges. He’ll play out the final year of his rookie contract after he signs the Miami Dolphins’ $3.969M tender offer.

2010 NFL Draft: Packers coach Mike McCarthy said he would “love the opportunity to develop” Florida QB Tim Tebow. “He’s a winner, and I’m excited to see what he does in the National Football League,” McCarthy said. The Packers remain high on Matt Flynn, so they’re unlikely to spend a second or third-round pick on a quarterback this year.

Do you think the Green Bay front office and head coach Mike McCarthy monitor the failures and successes of Brett Farve with the Jets?  Sure they do, and when they see this score and read about the game I’m sure a couple of what ifs will be going through their mind.  Especially now that Aaron Rodgers may have a separated shoulder.  Farve was 24-for-34 for 289 yards six touchdowns and one interception. This guy is just sick. Fantasy owners that had Farve as their starting quarterback have to be doing back flips. I’m sure the wild and crazy Jets fans are.

There hasn’t been this much excitement over the Jets since Joe Namath.  Speaking of Joe Namath, all Farve did was tied Namath’s franchise record six touchdown passes.  Even if the Cardinals cornerbacks are bad,  what Farve did was impressive at any level, any age let alone in the NFL and at 38 years young!  Do you think that the Jets front office and head coach Eric Mangini aren’t patting themselves on the back and giving each other a high five?  Farve broke his own personal record for touchdown passes.  Everything was set up for a special day when the Jets came out in their New York Titans throwback uniforms of gold and blue.

No one wanted to see Farve leave the Green Bay Packers except maybe the Minnesota Vikings.  Even now it is hard to see Farve in the Jets uniform.  It might not take too long to get used to seeing Farve in Jet green if he keeps on having games like he had today.  No one wants to see a first time ballot Hall of Famer ruin his legacy. A couple of the NFL greats left the team that they built their legacy up with for a chance to start for another team. It rarely works out, and most of them realize that they should have just retired with their longstanding team. Sometimes egos get in the way.  Some of those players damage their legacy. This is not the case for Farve. He just wanted to play football again, the sport he loves.

Farve thought that he could still play at a high level in the NFL. The Packers didn’t believe that he could anymore. Even though the season is only into it’s fourth game, Farve is proving to himself, the Jets and the Packers, and the rest of the NFL that he was right.