Brown wonders if it was normal playcalling from a team good enough to win three Super Bowls in four seasons, a Patriots team that used a strong scouting report to gain a fair edge, or was somebody picking up the Eagles defensive calls from a sideline camera that deprived them of a fair shot?

“I think they should forfeit, man,” said punt returner Reno Mahe, smiling. “We won the Super Bowl. I think we should get it. I’m going to go trade my NFC championship ring for a Super Bowl ring.”

The headline over a picture of Belichick on the back page of Thursday’s Philadelphia Daily News might have said it all: “Counterfeit RING: Spy Scandal Helps Explain Birds’ Super Bowl Loss.”

Hey, maybe the illicit tape would show once and for all if Donovan McNabb really did get sick in the huddle late in the game. Remember, that was Philadelphia’s first excuse for losing.

McNabb — who insisted the Eagles would never stoop to those kind of tactics — was surprised to hear the allegations against the Patriots. But he said the suspicions might be overblown.

“One thing people are forgetting is that even if you have the answers to the test, you still have to take the test,” he said. “If they have an idea of what’s coming, those guys still have to be able to execute the play.”

That doesn’t mean McNabb won’t clear some space in his jewelry box. For a city that last saw a pro team win a championship nearly 25 years ago, the Eagles might accept a retroactive one.

“Maybe we’ll get our ring back,” said a chuckling McNabb. “Maybe we’ll get the real one.”

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Brady vs. Manning — who has the edge? Cimini: Patriots-Colts greatest NFL rivalry of 2000s   Slideshow: Peyton vs. Brady through the years   Video: Playing 'what if?' with Peyton's career PFT: Davis reportedly looking to fire Cable with cause Eagles-Bears matchup will remain Sunday night game PFT: Rest of league is catching up to Broncos PFT: Tomlinson hints at retiring after this season PFT: Ex-Packer Brown rips McCArthy PFT: Browns' Mangini knew about Quinn's incentives NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: