Philadelphia ? Donovan McNabb had the same reaction most fans had when the Philadelphia Eagles selected quarterback Kevin Kolb with their first pick in last month’s NFL Draft.

“It was shocking,” McNabb said Tuesday in an interview on WIP-AM radio.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the draft on April 28-29, McNabb downplayed the perception he’s upset the Eagles selected his eventual successor.

The five-time Pro Bowl quarterback also said his rehab was going well following surgery for a torn knee ligament and he expects to play in the preseason.

“When you draft somebody at the position you’re in, of course you have questions of ‘What does that mean?”‘ McNabb said. “The most important thing for me is to make sure I’m healthy and 100 percent and get back out there competing and do the right thing on the field.”

McNabb met with coach Andy Reid soon after the draft, but wouldn’t reveal details of their conversation. He doesn’t have to worry about his starting job, especially since backup Jeff Garcia signed with Tampa Bay after leading the Eagles to the NFC East title and a playoff victory last season.

“If I’m healthy, it’s my job,” said McNabb, who sustained a season-ending knee injury in Week 11 last season.

The Eagles traded out of the first round and chose Kolb in the second round with the 36th overall pick. Kolb threw for 12,964 yards, 85 touchdowns and 31 interceptions in four years at Houston. He passed for 3,808 yards, 30 TDs and only four picks last season.

Colts release linebacker

Indianapolis – Gilbert Gardner, a starting linebacker for most of last season, was released Tuesday by the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts also cut ties with linebackers Mike Labinjo and Brandon Hoyte and defensive back Trevis Coley and signed tight end Mike Seidman.

Nash autopsy inconclusive

Denver – An autopsy on Denver Broncos running back Damien Nash found no drugs or unnatural substances of any kind in his system, and an exact cause of death could not be determined, the St. Louis County medical examiner’s office said Tuesday night. Nash, 24, collapsed and died Feb. 24 after a charity basketball game.

Panthers, Smith agree

Charlotte, N.C. – Receiver Steve Smith agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday in a deal that will keep him with the team through the 2012 season.

His agent, Derrick Fox, said he wasn’t authorized to release exact figures, but said Smith’s new deal makes him among the five highest-paid receivers in the NFL.

The 28-year-old Smith had three years left on a six-year, $27 million contract. He was scheduled to make $3.l, $3.6 and $4.2 million over the next three seasons, but now will make significantly more.

Smith, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, led the NFL with 103 catches for 1,563 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2005. Fox said negotiations with Hurney began after that season.