PHILADELPHIA - Donovan McNabb is a self-professed dog-lover who has two dogs and has owned canines since he was young.

McNabb also leads the NFL in quarterback controversies and would appear to have no need for a backup who's a former Pro Bowler and who could emerge as another popular alternative for finicky Eagles fans.

Yet, despite all that, McNabb says he was the first one to approach coach Andy Reid in July with the idea of signing Michael Vick, the three-time Pro Bowler who served nearly two years in prison on a federal dogfighting conviction. A couple of weeks later, McNabb asked Reid about Vick and all the possibilities that he would give the Eagles. Then, last Thursday, the Eagles took the plunge by signing the controversial quarterback.