Jimbo,
I'm not arguing those aren't legitimate questions, and you're a smart guy (as are most here), but if Shanahan believes he made a mistake with the McNabb move - does it make more sense to continue down that road, or turn away from the decision?
The interesting thing is, if what we're seeing now is the definitive indicator that McNabb is through in DC after one season, it may be evidence that Shanahan is willing to admit an error in judgment vs. a demonstration of 'arrogance' that a lot of folks are up in arms about.
I'm as irritated with the course of this season as anyone. I promise you that's the case. I drove 12 hours to attend a game in miserable weather last weekend. It wasn't a good experience. But that doesn't change the fact that, no matter how bad this season, or how many mistakes Shanahan has made, he has proven he can field a winning team (more than once) and deserves more than a one year benefit of the doubt.
My opinion. Not slamming anyone (or at least not intending to do so) with a contrary opinion. That's just my own.
Boone, normally I agree with you. But here, not so much. I think you do stick with McNabb because if Shanahan honestly thinks Rex gives us a better chance to win against the Cowboys than McNabb, we are in more trouble than I thought. I hope to God I'm wrong, but the Rex I remember was terrible. Granted, McNabb has been bad this season, very bad even. But his mobility alone has extended some plays, which is exceptionally important behind our offensive offensive line. Rex can't do that. He's gonna get killed.
And are you telling me that Shanahan is evaluating our QB for next year? If Rex is on the roster next year, I will be surprised, unless he proves me wrong in a major way over the next three games. Beck? Not a chance.
My problem stems from the extension they game McNabb. Why do it? I mean they did it a month ago when McNabb was struggling to pick up the offense, was still throwing dirt balls and making lots of mistakes. Did they expect that job security of the extension was going to give him the confidence he needed to turn it around and play like an all-pro? That extension almost, in retrospect, seems like a PR move. They have just humiliated McNabb in Detroit, the fans were up in arms over the loss, there was a week off for the bye, so they diverted our attention by throwing out the contract and saying, "see! we're serious of Donovan as our starter, why else would we give him this huge contract?". And we bought it, because that's what fans do.
I almost wonder if there was some sort of backroom deal with him at that point. I wonder if both sides agreed that Donovan wasn't coming back next year at that point, but agreed to put on the happy faces and sign the relatively meaningless contract to appease the fans.
I know, I've got my tin-foil hat on right now.
Regardless, if we have decided he won't be here next year, the contract does give us the ability to hold onto him and trade him in the odd season, which is no doubt what we will try to do.
Then why bench him now for God's sake? Argh! This is what I am frustrated about. Do you think there is a general manager in the league now who thinks for one nano-second that McNabb will be here next year? So why trade anything above a 6th or 7th for him? What's the point. His contract is manageable, so claim him off waivers, or wait until he clears waivers and negotiate a new deal with him.
If their plan was to trade him all along, why ruin it by benching him?
Now, as I stated somewhere else, if there plan is to test out the youth of the team and see what we have, then I damn well better see youth across the board, especially on the O-line on Sunday. To me, this is the only acceptable scenario under which we bench McNabb. This would preserve his trade value
to an extent b/c we could look at teams and tell them it was an evaluatory youth movement.
And if not that, then yes, as Jimbo suggests, come out and admit you made a mistake. Hold a press conference and tell the fans that McNabb is still a great player, but just a bad fit for the offense you are trying to install. Give the rest of the league some illusion that we are benching him because of the bad fit, not because he sucks.
Either way Boone, I just feel that Shanahan has handled this entire season about as poorly as one could handle it. Please don't misunderstand me, I am not hoping he gets fired, nor am I hoping he quits. But I do think both are a possibility. The fact is, if we go to Dallas Sunday and lay a massive turd-sandwich, getting spanked by 30+ (which I think is a possibility with Rex under center), Snyder may be looking at another fan revolt like last year. Snyder seems to have a history of making rash, quick decisions. Therefore, would it shock me if we were going through yet another coaching search this off season, particularly if we get our ass handed to us in Dallas?
Would it shock you?
Again, I think Shanny deserves more time. But I also think he has mis-managed Fat Al, McNabb, Haslett, the 3-4, etc. This year is not an example of why he will be a HOF coach. His biggest mistake, however, may be underestimating how important the Dallas game is to the Redskins. If we are competitive but still lose, he will be OK. If we get crushed? Yikes.
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