McNabb, who Strahan has sacked more than any other QB(although he's played against McNabb far more than any other QB), will not be missing the future hall of famer.

"Everyone talks about that dog in you. Not everyone has that dog to be the best at what he does," McNabb said. "I believe in the last six to eight years he has ranked amongst the top in the game as far as sacks are concerned. His job was to get to the quarterback and he did it well."

When asked if he'll miss Strahan, McNabb said, "I'm not. There are a couple of more guys over there on that line that we're waiting on their retirement."

Jon Runyan, who has held a storied rivalry with Strahan, felt the same way.

"You going to miss Michael Strahan?" Runyan was asked.

"No," he said immediately. "But it will be different facing the New York Giants."

Like McNabb, Runyan gave Strahan his due. Bigtime.

"I have tremendous amount of respect for him," Runyan said of Strahan. "He's one of the few guys left in the league who doesn't consider himself as only a pass rusher. He plays the whole game."

And he played it so well that Runyan didn't hesitate when asked to rank Strahan among the defensive linemen he faced in his 12 pro seasons.

"I would put him right up there with Reggie White," he said.

Classy of the Eagles to send off a rival with some kind words. I feel the same way about Strahan those guys do. Great player, happy to see him go.

I figured this was big enough news to post here on BGN... Donovan McNabb can sleep a little easier tonight now that Michael Strahan has decided to hang em up.

Strahan, 36, has told FOXSports.com exclusively that he has decided to retire.

"It was important that my teammates knew which way I was going before they got on the field to start the work to defend our title," the team's all-time sack leader said from California. "It's time. I'm done."

Strahan finally made up his mind a week ago, but wanted to take the extra days to make sure his feeling on the matter was 100 percent.

Riding off into the sunset with a superbowl ring on your hand. Not  a bad way to go out. I'm sure we'll be seeing plenty of Strahan's gap toothed grin in the broadcasting world since, to be honest, he's a pretty funny and insightful guy when talking football. Despite the fact he is a hated rival I don't think I'll mind hearing his thoughts. Look at it this way, every former jock that enters the media pushes Merrel Hodge one step closer to being out of our hair.

One thing we unfortunately won't be seeing is another round of one of the great trench rivalries in the past decade...

via www.philadelphiaeagles.com

Oh and let's not forget... this makes for one less elite pass rusher on the New York Giants this coming year and that is a very good thing.

Somewhat lost in Lito's absence from yesterday's OTA was that guard Scott Young also decided to skip the voluntary camp.

Eagles coach Andy Reid said he had been warned by Smith that Sheppard would not be attending this camp. He received the same warning from Young's agent, Jeff Courtney, but still seemed miffed about the decision of his fourth-year guard from Brigham Young. Reid said he didn't know why the second-string guard wasn't in attendance.

Young, a fifth-round draft choice in 2005, is entering the final year of his contract and is scheduled to be paid $520,000 this season. After playing in 12 games in 2006, he dressed for just one game last season. If his intent is to get released, he may have helped his cause.

It does seems like Young's intention must be to get cut. With the Eagles pick of Mike McGylnn and Mike Gibson in this year's draft, both guards, he's probably seen the writing on the wall. Getting cut now rather than at the end of camp would probably give him a better shot at catching on somewhere else. That said, it's pretty rare for no name career backups to hold out...

Jon Runyan was asked about Young, a 5th round pick of the Eagles in 2005. His response was classic.

In the Eagles' media guide, Young lists Runyan and Hall of Famer John Hannah as his favorite offensive linemen.

But Runyan had no idea Young was not at practice Tuesday. "Who?"

"I don't think I've spoken 10 words to him my whole life,'' Runyan said.

Sheldon Brown was equally as surprised...

So we got the answer to the question about whether anyone would notice if Scott Young didn't show up at the Eagles' voluntary minicamp.

"Scott Young?" cornerback Sheldon Brown said. "He's not here? Why?"