ESPN's live "SportsCenter" on Monday morning covered the story the way CNBC covers Wall Street with continual commentary. They hyped Andy Reid's noon press conference as if Barack Obama was going to decide whether or not he was going to accept the presidency.

The media loves controversy. It sells newspapers and grows TV and radio ratings.

And, the move with McNabb, one of the top players in the nation's most popular sport, became an instant hot-button issue.

The NFL Network fell into one here because it has Thursday night's Cardinals-Eagles game.

Like the rest of the sports nation, Cris Collingsworth had a few opinions.

Collingsworth, who has become the face of the NFL with his work on three different remote locations -- NBC, Showtime and The NFL Network -- was peppered with questions about McNabb Monday on a teleconference previewing Thursday's game.

He thinks Andy Reid made a mistake and it would be a mistake for the Eagles to abandon No. 5.

"If they let him go, he'd be in huge demand," Collingsworth said. "He'd make Minnesota, Chicago, any number of teams, much, much better. It would be a mistake to make that move. I know the frustration level that goes with unfulfilled high expectations.

"The quarterback and the coach are always the first two that are blamed. But I don't believe Kevin Kolb is better than Donovan McNabb, even if McNabb is in a slump."

Collingsworth, who will work with Bob Papa in Philly Thursday night, said he would be stunned if Reid is let go after the season.

"It would be so out of character for the organization," he said. "The bottom line is that they are just not a hugely talented team. You go down the list and besides Brian Westbrook, I just don't see a lot of skill-position talent for Donovan McNabb to work with."

Even before the soap opera unfolded, the NFL preview shows weighed in on the Eagles' droppings.

"It's time for a change [with McNabb]," Jimmy Johnson said on Fox.

"Fire the coach ? Andy Reid is not going to bring a championship to Philadelphia," said the dancing fool, Warren Sapp, on The NFL Network.

"No McNabb, no Reid. Be careful what you wish for Philadelphia. Don't be stupid," said Chris Berman.

The Cards-Eagles game, in the still relatively new Thanksgiving night slot, was bound to get huge ratings before this mess.

Now with McNabb and Reid on the hot seat and the Eagles fighting for their playoff lives, this one may be can't-miss TV.

Winners and losers

Option attack: The traditional Easton-Phillipsburg game on Thursday morning will be available on TV (WBPH, Channel 60 on RCN, 51 on SECTV), radio (1230, 1320 AM) and on the Internet at www.ihigh.com as part of what is being called the Great American Rivalry Series.

Spreading the news: New York-New York is suddenly becoming a Super Bowl possibility with the Giants being the class of the NFC and the Jets rising in the AFC.

"The road to the Super Bowl in the NFC goes through Giants Stadium," Mike Francesa said on "Mike'd Up" on Sunday night. "It's not crazy to talk Super Bowl in this town."

Under Andy's skin: ESPN's Sal Paolantonio annoyed Reid during both of the Eagles press conferences on Sunday and Monday.

To Andy's rescue: Howard Eskin, of course.

Best bashing: Mitch Albom, Mike Lupica and Bob Ryan all pounded the even-more messed up than usual college BCS system on "The Sports Reporters."

Best bashing II: "For him not to go and tell McNabb what he's doing is just so wrong," Ray Didinger said on Eagles Postgame Live, talking about Reid's failure to tell McNabb himself of his decision. "You don't send your lieutenants to make this change. It has to come from him."