SCHULTZ's SHOTS: Depending on Donovan...

There comes a time in most great players' careers where they have to do something for the good of the team.

It could mean lessening their role in the offense (see: John Elway with Terrell Davis in the late 90's), taking a back seat to a different franchise player (see: Clyde Drexler with Hakeem Olajuwon in 1995), or putting up with the fan's vitriol through good and bad times (see: Eli Manning in 2007 - ok, so he's not great, but a good example).

If McNabb wants to win, he should act like it

It has now reached decision time for Donovan McNabb. Does he want to be a me-first primadonna that puts himself above the team (see: Terrell Owens)? Does he want to be a great player that never fully endeared himself to the fans because he never won a ring (see: Patrick Ewing)? Does he want to be both?

Things are good right now in Philadelphia - really good. The Phillies triumph last October has taken a bit of the edge off, and an unexpected Eagles' run to the NFC Championship game has fans even more excited about this year.

Throw in the acquisition of Michael Vick, who is getting more love than Rick Vaughn in Major League II (we love redemption stories in America), and the mostly-bitter Philly fans are about as optimistic as humanly possible.

Why would Donovan McNabb want to de-rail those good feelings?

Following Vick's debut in last Thursday's preseason game against Jacksonville, McNabb was frustrated that Vick coming in and out of the game was disrupting the flow of the offense. He voiced his displeasure to Eagles Offensive Coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. On a night where Vick got a reception from the fans fit for a king, McNabb was the only person inside Lincoln Financial Field who was pouting - during a preseason game!

McNabb has been a great player in Philly for a long time. A lot of the heat that he has had to take is completely unwarranted. That being said, the guy acts like a diva. When things aren't going his way, he lets everybody know. He's played the race card before, and his favorite pastime is playing the role of the victim. But, the only thing that this behavior is victimizing is the Philadelphia Eagles 2009 Super Bowl hopes.

If McNabb gets fully on-board with the Michael Vick experiment, then this could be a special year, and could lead to the Eagles' first Super Bowl title. If McNabb pouts and gets jealous of Vick's treatment, then this season will never get off the ground. Philly will suffocate in the McNabb-induced drama.