Donovan McNabb claims that he has “three teams” that he’s “looking at.”

As Donovan McNabb sits back and most likely chuckles at Terrell Owens recent string of public gaffes and says ‘I won,’ the former starting QB is attempting to get back into the NFL.

According to Pro Football Talk, McNabb appeared on NBC SportsTalk and actually said “I have about three teams that I’m looking at.”

The teams that he apparently is interviewing must have a  “solid running game, weapons on the outside, a defense that’s been playing well and playing well together, and that’s ready to win right now.”

Stop the presses, Donovan McNabb is killing his opportunity (however slight it may be) to get into the Hall-of-Fame by ignoring the obvious realities that he’s faced with.

Even if he were to get lucky and latch on to another guy’s coattails all the way to a Lombardi trophy, he’s deep-sixing his shot.

This is simply not because of play but it is thanks to perception. Had he taken a victory lap in Philly and handed the reigns over to Kevin Kolb who was really just one banana peel away from losing his job to Mike Vick, then he would have had a chance.

Two years removed, his numbers and how he carried himself up until his departure from Philly would have taken over how we perceive him.

The number of NFC title games, the close call the Super Bowl, the winning percentage and so on and so forth would have eclipsed  the negative spin that some had for him.

But as it stands now he’s tarnishing his own brand after tragic misfires in Washington and Minnesota.

After he failed to be claimed off of waivers by even the most desperate of teams in 2011, the message should have been heard.

Those that vote for the hall vote based on their perception of a player. Former Raiders great Jim Plunkett and All-Pro WR Chris Carter can tell you all about that.

Now, McNabb is becoming the occasional sound bite that is butt of the joke that only he does not get.

I like McNabb both on and off-the-field and I was one of those folks that truly that when he went out he would do so with dignity.

Can he still technically play? Probably. But there is this 1000 lb. chip on his shoulder after playing for Mike Shanahan that has detonated his ability to play well within what he can still do at this stage of his career.

How he played in the last stage of his run with the Redskins and at Minnesota was hero ball yet his cape was burned a long time ago.

A veteran QB with fading skills should be smart enough to sit back, release the ball quickly and take the occasional sack and move on with it.

Kurt Warner took that formula all the way to the Super Bowl and that is something that Donovan had the chance to prove that he can do.

The key word there is had because now, regardless of his ability those that control perception have let him sink his own ship.

I say all of this to say this.

When I see these moments develop for him, I can only think that if he does get a look, it’s only a matter of time before there’s an issue.

It’s hard to envision McNabb stepping into a situation and being happy with the role of anybody’s backup.

Unless, on his short-list of teams that he’s “looking at,” he really is trying to follow in Warner’s footsteps.