The game was on the line, yesterday in the fourth quarter with the Detroit Lions having just taken a 31-25 lead over the Redskins. Washington head coach Mike Shanahan made a move that is the talk of the NFL this morning.
He benched starting quarterback Donovan McNabb and put in backup Rex Grossman. According to reporters, Redskins players said they were stunned by the move. After the game Shanahan told the reporters he had a reason for the decision.
“I felt with the time and no timeouts, he was the best chance to win in that scenario,” Shanahan explained. “Just knowing the terminology of what we’ve done, how we run it.”
That doesn’t even sound like the truth. It’s clear like many observers have said. The only way a coach removes his starting quarterback in that situation is because he doesn’t believe in that quarterback.
No way he takes McNabb out of the game if he believes in him and thinks there’s a chance he will drive the ball downfield and get it into the endzone. Grossman had spent only one season with Skins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who is head coach Mike Shanahan’s son, so he’s not a master of their two-minute offense.
This move says a lot about what Shanahan and his son think about McNabb and his performances so far. By the way Grossman was sacked and fumbled on his first play. One of the Lions picked the ball up and ran it in for a touchdown, which sealed the Lions victory.
I don’t see any way the Redskins offer McNabb a contract extension, which also means Shanahan will be open to benching McNabb for Grossman in the future. It’s also going to adversely affect the entire team and could be start of the team’s downfall.
After the game, McNabb gave a standard answer and played the good soldier which I don’t think was totally sincere.
“He makes the decisions, I just continue to go with it and just cheer for my team,” he said. “We had opportunities we just didn’t take advantage.”
McNabb was benched a couple of years ago at halftime of a game against Baltimore Ravens, so he’s been down this road before.
“You just have to learn from it and move on,” McNabb said. “I did it then, and I’ll do it now.”
McNabb has to be furious but I don’t think he has any options at this point. I think he will continue to play hard because he knows he’s auditioning for his next job. It wouldn’t make sense for him to get into a public battle with Shanahan because he hasn’t been playing well.
Ultimately, if you’re not playing well, there’s no guarantee you’re going to keep your job. That’s the way it is in the NFL.
Shanahan has come forward to say that McNabb is still his starting quarterback, but I wouldn’t take that to the bank. He’s still his starting quarterback, but……
I think you can be confident that McNabb will be playing for another team next season.
Guess Snyder needs to be ready to make a “financial apology”…
They really showed their youth yesterday
LMAO @ Jared360.
Ive said it before and I’ll say it again, McNabb is DONE….stick a FORK in’em!
How does the trade look now GCOBB??! Your boy got benched for REX GROSSMAN against the DETROIT LIONS! Double whammy!
As I recall the last time McD was benched the following year he set the team record for points scored in a season. Dree Brees threw 3 ints and has had an up and down season, but they would tear the superdome apart if he was benched. As usual McNabb has a supporting cast of Bums.
don’t know who watched any of the game but he makes some throws that will make a casual bystander angry. The throwing the ball at the feet of a receiver time and time again is infuriating enough but he has now adopted the “lets nuke the ball 30 yards over everyone’s heads.” He looks uncomfortable int he pocket and does not have the mobility to counter any pressure. I hope the skins go with Grossman and consequently follow the Cowboys down the path to the basement of the division. Paulman, i know you think he’ll be in AZ next year but i will be shocked if he doesn’t go to Minnesota, a ton of weapons out there.
A few of my redskin friends told me that Mcnabb played pretty bad yesterday. He hasn’t been consistant this year as a Qb and if your head coach says I think it was best for the team to put Grossman in for the last two minutes of the game for us to win then there is something very very wrong. The redskins should be 1-7 this year in my eyes!!!!!
McNabb was a product of Andy Reid and this system.
garry, I am shocked you haven’t said how unfair this is to your boy. Perhaps the parents will write on that blog about the injustice that is being done to their baby boy. When McNabb leaves at the end of the season to either Arizona or Vikings, the dad will speak again about jesus being resurrected or something like that. These parents should live happily wth their baby’s money and shut the hell up for a change. I am glad McGiggles is gone as I don’t need to read the usual crap about him and from him. According to this clown, it is always someone else’ fault.
And yes, he still sucks with his gopher balls and the choking.
this isn’t an antagonizing questions, but I am curious how Phillywill, Songs and all the other McNabb lovers. I liked McNabb don’t get me wrong but we needed a change and it worked out for us. Vick being the successor and not Kolb but it paid off nonetheless.
I’ve been a McNabb supporter. I will continue to think that he is a class guy. It just frustrates me to no end that the guy can’t improve on his flaws. Well Andy did make the right decision for our team! Can’t feel sorry for 5 he has made a ton of money and he has done some wonderful things in the community. Can’t really say he is done. Maybe he can have a decent rest of his career somewhere with better weapons.
McNabb still gave the Skins a shot to win yesterday…The Lions were rushing him all day, for coach Shanahan to believe that Grossman would have better results is just ridicolous! If Mcnabb (who is way more mobile than Grossman) got sacked what 5 times? what makes him believe Grossman is the man to lead your team on the most important drive of the game…LOL…Thats why he was rushed and fumbled…As far as for the Eagles, this is a good thing…Shanahan sent the wrong message to his team yesterday, its not like the Skins were an under 500 team or anything…not like they have the best WR in the league or best RB…I hope they fall apart, makes our playoff chances even more feasible!
OK…I live in the DC area and I’m a McNabb supporter. To put this on McNabb is a travesty to say the least. The Skins line is worst than the Eagles, much worse. Donovan’s targets are like the Charles Johnson/ Torrance Small days, and they have guys at RB who are maybe at the 3rd string level. McNabb has not been playing well, but this Redskins offense is horrible. Shanahan is a Control Freak, and he will definitetly lose the locker room. What he did to McNabb, to a man, you cannot respect. He’s an idiot!! But, on the bright side, I don’t have to root for the Skins anymore with McNabb not in, because that was VERY HARD!!! I despise them even more. I will be at the game in 2 weeks. Go Eagles, Mike Vick…
KTDAWK – McNabb scrambled for a 36 yard run, yesterday! yeah you are right, he has no mobility!
root for the ‘skins anymore…and you call yourself a Birds fan, WTF ChuckRob
Real Talk, we both know McNabb generated a lot of success with his mobility and im not talking one 36 yd run, I’m talking about extending the play and being an actual threat to run (defenses dont game plan for McNabb’s running ability). McNabb always had decent field awareness and took off when it was there. Without weapons and his decreased mobility he can no longer make those plays to put the team on his back, no a slight against him just a fact.
KTDawk – OK, the key words in your response was “without weapons” and “decreased mobility” – I agree with that response
Looks like McNabb can’t make chicken salad anymore..he’s stuck with chicken shit. Perhaps they can make a Campbells soup that flavor.
BSM, another cast of Bums? Looking back at his career people will say with the Eagles he’s done much more with much less I think.
Their line does stink…and it all starts with the line so you could have Sammy Baugh back there and the Skins still stink.
Grossman for McNabb…that is Gross man!
greenfan… Rooting for McNabb, never the Skins. With his success comes success for that wretched team. I’ve been a birdfan forever, i could tell you things about the Eagles you probably don’t even know about them…
Why does McNabb take this ultimate disrespect from Shanahan? Maybe he was trained by Reid to basically act like a gutless stooge after you coach takes you out of the game, game on the line, and replaces you with a stiff cold one like Grossman.
re: ChuckRob
” But, on the bright side, I don’t have to root for the Skins anymore with McNabb not in, because”
That is what you wrote man, not me.
As far as eagles history, I’ll take that challange any day.
Don’t McNabb apologists get tired coming up with so many excuses why it is everyone elses fault. The guy is gone and the EAGLES are better off for it.
That benching hae to chap Sam and Wilma’s A$$
greenfan — McNabb lovers just don’t get it….the guy is past his prime and should retire if he wants to still have some respect when it comes to QB conversation. He WAS great….keyword…WAS. He is no longer a QB that can make things happen by himself. He is not a franchise QB anymore. He has been relegated to being a good enough backup.
As for Chuckrob, please, to cheer for McNabb IS to cheer for the Redskins. A REAL Eagles fan would never even THINK of doing such a thing.
Bret Farve can stink to high heaven throw a ton of ints and play with a broken leg and they won’t take him out of the game. McNabb should command respect and stop being mr. nice guy. John Elway would have raised hell if he was taken out of a game like that. I love McD but show some damn balls, and it will light a fire with the rest of your teammates!!!! And scare that damn coach like Farve did to Childress!!
McNabb’s Tenure with the Redksins is over..
My sources in DC told me that Shanahan has been disapointed on how McNabb was continuing to struggle in picking up he/Son’s Kyle’s Offense and that he has decided to go in a different direction offense.
The Redksins will not extend McNabb a contract and he will become a free-agent after the Season is over and will most likley sign a 2 year Deal with Arizona Cardinals for 2011 Season
Anyone who has followed both McNAbb and Coach Shanahan is not really surprises at this for
McNabb is just not a good fit for Shanahan’s Offense which calls for quick drops, quick reads and accurate throws which we all know are not McNabb’s Strength. McNabb is best when stretching the field and buying time with his legs (which are slowly failing him now) and the Redskins have niether
the O/Line to protect him that long or the WR’s who will get open deep down the field.
This has been just a bad fit from the get-go for all involved in my opintion, except for the Eagles who
receivd a 2nd/4th Round Draft picks for him..
Bart Starr once told Lombardi that if he wanted him to lead the team then he had better not ever holler at him in front of his teammates. Lombardi never hollered at him again. Some times you have to demand respect from the coach, not hope that he gives it to you. Mario tore Shula a new one too.
Realtalk I agree. This is good for the Eagles. Nothing weakens a team more then when the coach has no confidence in the leader (QB). It was a stupid move on Shanahans part. Dick Vermeil picked a starter and that was it. And everybody on the team knew it. The only way it could backfire for us is if McNabb refocuses and plays with a chip on his shoulder like Vick has done this year.
Shanahan, thats something you shouldnt have none. Just flat out wrong. You motherfuckers can make McNabb jokes all you want and be sarcastic and all that dumb shit…But what Shanahan did was wrong. The Redskins wouldnt even have those 4 wins if it wasn’t for Donovan. The man gets no respect SMH
bsm…haven’t you learned by now? McNann is Mr. Passive / Aggressive. He will “act” as though it doesn’t bother him…say all of the “right” things..but plot ways to “get back” against the injustice that has befallen him. It is his M.O. for his entire career. Don’t you get it?
BSM — it could backfire if McNabb plays with a chip on his shoulder like Vick has — but there is ONE very HUGE problem with that comparison…….McNabb doesn’t have the talent (as much) to be able to do that. He just doesn’t have it anymore. Period. I’ve watched the Skins all year because I’m stationed in the DC area. This guy is finished.
dizzy can you write a post without throwing a MF in there?
DizzyJ — the Redskins got those four wins due to some lucky but great defensive plays. If they didn’t get those plays, the Redskins would be sitting at 1-7 right now.
1-7 is correct look #5 hasn’t been impressive this year…. The first two games I was saying to my self holy shit mcnabb looks great i think we made a terrible decision on trading him… But now i’m pretty happy that change has come…. #5’s skills have gone down and his decision making has been Brett Favre-ish throwing into 3 man coverage. When he gets “happy feet” in the pocket before throwing then he throws right at the feet of Wr’s lol! #7 Lives on Go Birds
We as eagle fans all know so well that mcnabb loves to hold the ball way way to long…. You cant blame a whole lot on the offensive line…. I’ve seen clips on Donnavan as a Redskin and the offensive line didnt look that bad!!! I bet you next year that Snyder and thats if they keep Mcnabb will get Randy Moss next season for a 5 year deal and think that will solve the problem on offense… LOL! The Redskins are a Walking Dead Franchise!!!
@greenfan and BirdoBeaman…really…McNabb is my guy and I don’t deny that, I will root for him against whatever team he plays for. When he plays against my Eagles, I want him to have a good game, but obviously in a loss. How that questions my loyalty is foolish. Is this not an Eagles site…Why are we talking about McNabb, please move on people. All you McNabb Haters are just ignorant. Again, move on it’s Colts week… Peyton Manning is on the way. Let’s go #7.
@BSM
I totally agree with you..I am definitely not one to count McNabb out I believe he is still a very capable QB, just lacks some key supporting talent.Hopefully the talent around him isnt enough for it to backfire… if history repeats itself, Shanahan will look like a genius!
NEWS OUT OF DC:
McNabb was benched due to ignoring the play calls that were being sent in by Kyle Shanahan! Uh OH!
ChuckRob — it’s not about hating on McNabb. The guy is done. He’s toast. He doesn’t belong in the league as a starting QB anymore. Period.
When did McGiggles grow a couple to ignore playcalls sent in? He never did while he was here. He deserves to be benched. It isn’t like he is Peyton or somebody. And Shanahan should have come up with a better explanation than what he gave.
Yeah if that was Brett Favre I would believe that. Move on BirdoBeamen, Peyton Manning is coming to town. McNabb plays in DC not Philly anymore. Let it go… you don’t have to bash the guy anymore because it’s not your problem. Santana Moss, Joey Galloway, Ryan Torrain, Chris Cooley (he’s pretty good), but besides him who scares you?
Vick and DJAX returned to practice today…hoping DJAX suits up this Sunday
Vick says he’ll be wearing some extra padding and says he’s confident he can take a hit!
A couple of things:
Before we call the whole McNabb/Vick/Kolb trade thing a success, consider that we’re 4-3 right now, which isn’t that much better than 4-4. However, we were an 11-5 team last year, while the Redskins were 4-12 or something similar, correct?
It’s not logical to sit and say that McNabb would be tanking if he were here. For one thing, he knows this O better than Kolb and Vick combined, no matter what people may say. Yes, McNabb looks bad this year, and there was an interesting piece on how McNabb is supposed to do his reads now (look deep, then medium, then short now, short -> medium -> long in the Eagles system). There is some of this that’s McNabb’s fault, of course, but it’s not all him, and it never was here.
He’s taking deep drops behind a line that looks like swiss cheese, with a Right Guard who can’t move forward and left at the same time: the guard actually steps back before moving left in running plays, so that he trips the QB. It happened in the first few series in the game yesterday. Kolb and Vick have a cake walk compared to what’s going on in DC. Thank God Shanahan isn’t coaching the Eagles, because he’s craptastic.
chucky…we aren’t the ones holding on to him…..look in the mirror. You are holding your Donnie Doll pretty tight right now.
Where were you since last Easter when we said move on…he is gone?
Frankly, I got no problem with you being a fan of #5. He did plenty of good things for the birds over the years, and we fans should recognize that and provide him the proper credit. My issue was with a self-described ‘Skins fan being on the site. That was my point.
You don’t have to believe it ChuckRob, I’m telling you what I heard on DC Sports Radio and what is being said in the DC area.
Breaking news…and this is no Paul Man BS either..
Vikings just release WR Randy Moss
DJax got a Washington Nationals tattoo…wtf? check his twitter if you can to verify…
I just thank God that the Skinz didnt pick up Vick…. Good move by the FO on keeping him and moving on!!! I love DMAC but when you wear another jersey other than Eagle green, Its war and thats what it is…. The redskinz are fresh out of a BULLS ass! But they seem to have our # when we play against them…. Its always the teams with losing records who beat them but when they play us we look real suspect……
IF THE PHILS WERE IN THE WS, I BET THE EAGLES WOULD SIGN RANDY MOSS TO TRY & STEAL THE SPOTLIGHT
Some more NFL/Eagles News
Eagles announce that CB D Patterson is the starter in place of E Hobbs who has been demoted
to 2nd String for upcoming game vs the Colts
Vikings did release WR R Moss who has 24 hours to clear waivers and this is free to sign on with another team… (maybe the Redskins,Rams,KC Chiefs or someone who has a legitimate Playoff chance) then again, I could see a younger team with younger coaches and players not wanting to put up with his personality and baggage…
I honestly believe the Redskins are going to grab him….but then again, Shanahan might not be down for that. But Snyder might ride him hard for it.
Dmitri Patterson in place of Hobbs? I’ll take it. A change needed to be made.
The waiver priority is currently: Buffalo, Dallas, Carolina, San Fran, Denver, Detroit, Cleveland, Cincinnatti, San Diego, Arizona, St. Louis…
I see no team on this List remotely interested or have the need for Moss until the SL Rams
and with a young team, do they wnat his baggage, though he would give them a deept threat that they
do not have..