The Shanahans should probably stop talking now.
Donovan McNabb’s benching: The Explanation has hit day three and shows no signs of slowing down. The latest chapter was written by Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who said that his father’s words may have “come off wrong” on Monday.
The younger Mastermind only created more confusion. He said that McNabb’s injuries were a big part of the equation, and that McNabb was told that he could be benched if he was struggling.
A short time later, McNabb was on the radio. “I didn’t hear that part,” he said, via the Associated Press.
At least McNabb finds some humor in the issue. McNabb interrupted wide receiver Anthony Armstrong during an interview Tuesday and asked, “How’s your cardiovasular endurance?”
All of this drama came on a day when the Redskins worked out JaMarcus Russell, of all people. Despite it all, McNabb says he’s cool with Kyle Shanahan.
“[We have a] great relationship. Did you see us walking together? We were just kind
of skipping and holding hands. Everything’s good,” McNabb said to laughter via the Washington Post.
The Shanahans swear that McNabb’s work ethic is not an issue, but something is clearly wrong here. We think it’s pretty clear what happened.
Mike Shanahan loves playing mental games with his players, and he was frustrated. He decided to send McNabb a very public message that they aren’t thrilled with him, and that no one is untouchable. It’s up to McNabb to deal with the fallout.
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I find it HIGHLY unlikely that something good will come of this.
The most troubling aspect of this is the plain-as-day mis-management of the whole situation.
I work in PR and External Comms for a Fortune 100. This situation makes me shudder. If the Shanny’s couldn’t get together and figure out the right thing to say, they should have stayed mum on the subject until they could pull-up privately and strategize a unified front…no matter the explanation. This is getting sloppier by the day.
They just made Steve Spurrier look intelligent.
You kinda leave out/butcher a huge part of Kyle Shanahan’s comments. He said McNabb’s cardiovascular was only in question because he has not practiced much due to a variety of injuries. He didn’t really confuse the situation more, he clarified that no one was questioning McNabb’s work ethic or effort, and that was never in question.
Kyle Shanahan is a no talent as$ clown. If it wasn’t for his famous father nobody would ever hire him to be the OC of a Pro Team, college team, high school team or even a little league team. Go look at his career highlights from last season, called a Half back pass on first and goal from the 1 yard line when he was Texans OC. Notice how the Texans made zero effort to keep him. If he didn’t have the Shanahan name after his first name, he’d be unemployed.
Here’s the thing, regardless of how he’s playing you don’t pull a QB with 2 min left and the game on the line. Any Qb. That’s just dumb to insert someone knew that late in the game. Only time that is supposed to happen is even the starting QB gets injured. Otherwise you leave him in the game. There is no good in putting in a brand new QB with 2 min to go and no protection from the line, especially Rex Grossman. You let him finish and give him until the next game to get it together. If he struggles the beginning of the next game then you pull him and put the other guy in after half. Now they are talking in circles, created drama for themselves, still lost the game and have 4-5 different reasons that are questionable with the workout of JaMarcus Russell.
McNabb is just getting old and he can’t make the throws that he use to…cleary Philly recognized that and unloaded him.
@ Kyle Shanahan, – Please keep a low profile until you have done something in DC. Your Resume is weak. I don’t see you going to the HOF because of your playcalling skills. DC fans are the smartest around we know when someone is lying. We see lame politicians everyday here. That stuff may work in Texas or Denver but not DC! DC fan can smell a liar from a mile away. Last note of advise Utilize Donovan Mcnabbs Strengths and stop making him into something he is not. Otherwise your stay in DC will be short!
All this talk about why McNabb was benched, and still I have not heard the true answer,
it was the DETROIT LIONS D…..get used to it.
Kyle Shanahan was heard saying “Daddy told me I could bench McNabb if I wanted to. I can do what ever I want, my dad’s the head coach.”
Mike Shanahan is a QB genius, but this move was nothing short of idiotic. There’s no way you pull your franchise QB (much less one who’s been to 9 NFC Championships) to play the likes of Rex Grossman. If it was injury related then why the heck didn’t you take him out much sooner than you did? If he was even at 50 percent with two minutes to go on a game winning drive, you put him in the game! Unless you have a backup QB named Manning, Brady, or Rothlisberger which is extremely improbable, then McNabb should be on the field with 2:00 to go in the 4th and the game on the line. No questions asked…
My goodness, Give it a rest Rosenthal and Florio. You guys are so obsessed with the Redskins. I live in Maryland and Don’t hear this crap 24/7 like you guys play it out, You guys are beyond out of touch. Mcnabb blew it off and said lets move on. Look The Redskins are not going to change their name Florio, Get over it hater~
McNabb, mentally, is already in Minnesota.
The Shanahans are total dopes.
Now we are looking at a 6-10 Redskins season.
This is a total train wreck.
Is it me, or do good coaches go to DC and lose their friggin mind on the trip into town?
First McNabb doesn’t know the plays, then he is fat/out of shape so how do they solve the problem?? Bring in JR who is the epitome of dumb and out of shape. Did the Shanahans hang a turkey leg off each goal post as motivation?
Someone please tell me what Mike Shanahan has won without John Elway and Terrell Davis?
OK, I will answer my own question:
NOTHING!
McNabb didn’t know an overtime could end in a tie…. enough said!!
Even more pathetic Rothlesburger backed up McNabb saying he din’t know either.
But wasn’t this all debunked when they asked Shanahan how many snaps Grossman got all week and the answer was “none”. And the fact that he played almost the whole game?
This is a total joke that anyone is taking these lies seriously.
Shanahan asked him to do something, he didn’t do it, and now he is assassinating his character through the media.
Because its not about wins and losses, it’s about Shanahan’s ego.
Redskins fans…
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR!
At least McNabb finds some humor in the issue. McNabb interrupted wide receiver Anthony Armstrong during an interview Tuesday and asked, “How’s your cardiovasular endurance?”
That’s not McNabb’s humor. That’s the passive-aggressiveness that wore out his welcome in Philly.
All you need to know about Kyle Shanahan can be found on his leg.
Specifically, he and Chris Simms got each other’s initials tattooed on their respective lower legs while they were attending UT together.
What guy gets another guy’s initials tattooed on his body? The only way this is even remotely acceptable is if it is done as a tribute to a friend who had died.
After this episode, Kyle Shanahan’s future employment opportunities in the NFL are deader than Chris Simms’s NFL career.
Simms Update- Last seen driving while stoned in NYC’s West Village this summer with his 8-month pregnant wife riding shotgun.
Stay klassy, Chris and Kyle
I find it interesting that McNabb is already mentally in Minnesota. I will believe that if Clueless Klink (CK) remains in his current job. If CK somehow squirms his way out of his current red hot seat, then McNabb and CK deserve each other. How ownership believes Clueless Klink’s decisions and actions promote team loyalty by the players and the fans who pay for the tickets and a new stadium is the biggest mystery of all.
At least McNabb finds some humor in the issue. McNabb interrupted wide receiver Anthony Armstrong during an interview Tuesday and asked, “How’s your cardiovasular endurance?”
That’s not McNabb’s humor. That’s the passive-aggressiveness that wore out his welcome in Philly.
McNabb may be mentally in Minnesota, but I can’t see that happening realistically. After the Favre saga is over, you really think they want another washed up has-been, even if he is younger? McNabb is so bad that I’m pretty sure he is tops in the league in 50+ yd completions and still only averaging 7.1 yards per attempt. He has 50% more turnovers than TD’s, has been riddled with injuries all season, and has a lower completion percentage than Brett Favre. I’d expect to see Michael Vick in Minnesota over Donnie Football.
Where are all the Philly haters now who said trading McNabb was the dumbest idea ever?
Told you.
Reid did a decent job maximizing his talent.
Hey Snyder, please sign R Moss for our pure entertainment value.
Dawk says: At least McNabb finds some humor in the issue. McNabb interrupted wide receiver Anthony Armstrong during an interview Tuesday and asked, “How’s your cardiovasular endurance?”
That’s not McNabb’s humor. That’s the passive-aggressivene ss that wore out his welcome in Philly.
Well said, 100% accutate
@mookieburns13
The Lions should have a good D, they always pick in the top 5. Guess what?????? They will again this year, next year and probably the year after.
As a Cowboy fan, it gives me great pleasure to actually see someone else struggling with coaching.
FAIL!
I don’t know why people defend McNabb. Everyone always defends this guy and I just don’t get it. Doesn’t anyone watch his games? He’s overrated. If someone is subbing a guy like Rex Grossman in for you, that means that you are not the player you once were. Its not personal. It means you can’t put the “hurry” in a hurry up offense. McNabb has been accused of this before…Its like everyone blames everyone else for this guy’s short comings. Throws a pick..”He has no running game” gets sacked, ” plays in a system where he passes the ball 60 percent of the time” Throws a touchdown “The guy is amazing”. Please just shut up about this guy. There have been a handful of qb’s better for years
That Shannahan mental stuff wont work on McNabb. He was abused from the second he was drafted by the Philly fans. He is RICH, in his mid 30′s and will just let it roll off his back, and throw in some jabs of his own.
Mike Shanahan is a QB genius. WHAT ? WHO? WHEN? PLEASE EXPLAIN…
“McNabb is just getting old and he can’t make the throws that he use to…cleary Philly recognized that and unloaded him.”
Really? If it weren’t for M. Vick the Eagles would be screaming for him to come back.
“I don’t know why people defend McNabb. Everyone always defends this guy and I just don’t get it. Doesn’t anyone watch his games? He’s overrated. If someone is subbing a guy like Rex Grossman in for you, that means that you are not the player you once were. Its not personal. It means you can’t put the “hurry” in a hurry up offense. McNabb has been accused of this before…Its like everyone blames everyone else for this guy’s short comings. Throws a pick..”He has no running game” gets sacked, ” plays in a system where he passes the ball 60 percent of the time” Throws a touchdown “The guy is amazing”. Please just shut up about this guy. There have been a handful of qb’s better for years”
It’s quite obvious why McNabb is struggling in DC and it has nothing to do with his age. Tell me who does he have to throw to besides Cooley? The running game is a joke, the coach it past his prime. I see why Campbell struggled for so long in Washington.
@ Jay16
WELL SAID!
A little perspective from a Lions fan, if I may. After Hanson kicked a FG to give the Lions a six-point lead, I said to myself, “The Skins are six-points down, with two-minutes to play. They have an all-pro QB and they’re up against our perennially suspect secondary. Final score, 32-31.” And then I saw McNabb on the sideline, wearing a ball-cap, wishing Grossman good luck and I knew our second win was in the bag. It was like Christmas had come early. Thank you, Santa Shanahan!
Am I the only one who gets creeped out by McNabb? There’s something odd about that guy that makes my skin crawl…
“Tell me who does he have to throw to besides Cooley? The running game is a joke, the coach it past his prime. ”
So he needs more weapons, right?
How many times have we heard that. Let’s do the quick analysis I’ve done for about 5 years…
QB – Brady
RB – Dillon
WR – Branch
WR – Givens
TE – Daniel Graham
QB – McNabb
RB – Portis / Torain
WR – Moss
WR – Armstrong
TE – Cooley
I’d say that’s pretty close to equal all in all, with TE and WR1 and edge for the Redskins.
But I keep hearing from McNabb supporters over the years that he makes mediocre players better!
And yet…we see again that he really doesn’t. He needs an All-Star team of T.O.s in order to succeed. He isn’t a decisive factor.
That is why I don’t care about his stats, he is not a HOF’er.
Hey Mooch, way to not mention O-line. That’s Mcnabb’s main problem. A weak O-line.
He sent a “message.” Maybe talking to face-to-face would work better. Sheesh.
QB Genius? Shanahan is a LIAR and has never won anything without JOHN ELWAY!!!!!!!!! Go look it up. That’s what Daniel Snyder gets. He’s a joke of an owner and brought in total jokes for coaches. Ted Leonosis will you please by the REDSKINS!!!!!!!!
You are right, the OL sucks too.
And the kicker, he sucks. And the defense sucks. And the coach is an idiot. And the owner wastes money. And the parking crew stinks. And the caterers are substandard. And the punter has a noodle leg. And they’re too young at some positions, too old at others. And the media is too hard on him. And the fans expect too much. And he was booed at the draft. And the maroon uniforms make him look fat. And the stadium isn’t loud enough. Yet sometimes it’s too quiet. And often it’s too windy. And the sun gets in his eyes. And sometimes it’s not sunny enough for him to see his receivers. And those guys can’t get open. And when they get open they can’t catch. And the new NFL balls are too slick / hard / shiny. Or they’re too worn. Not that it matters because his center can’t get a snap off. But it’s better than when they miscast him and make him take snaps out of shotgun.
Did I miss anything? Any other excuses that should be added to the list? I mean, that’s just what I’ve been told for a decade while he failed to win one single game he wasn’t supposed to win.
Yep, pretty much McNabb is the ONLY thing going right for the Skins at the moment.
He is the only player in the history of sport to need EVERY SINGLE FACTOR POSSIBLE going his way in order to succeed.
Odd, huh?
Matt – he had a great OL in Philly and he had the same issues.
Sorry. Try again with another excuse.
Chillyp says “Kyle Shanahan is a no talent as$ clown.” My question is this. What is a talented ass clown?
if benching McNabb in a game can take the Skins to the NFC Championship, I’m all for it!
Ok Ive heard alot of you saying what a genious Mike Shanahan is.. well i can make a very good statement about him, since I have been a Bronco fan since “The Drive” . Shanny is a great coach, but I can tell you, John Elway saved his a$$ more times than i can count. Contrary to what many think, he didnt make Elway, Elway was made before he became head coach in Denver. My point is, he isnt a “QB Genious” but an incredible offensive mind, he is! His son, he is just riding his coattail. Give Shanny time and he will get you 9-10 wins every year, but he has problems when it comes to drafting players. He tends to focus more on the offensive side, when the defense needs the attention. But in this situation, I can only say, what Ive always known is coming to surface, McNabb has always been overrated….
@smoot,
We kicked your sorry asses. Nice Offensive line. We now realize that you cannot stop Rex Grossman, you can only hope to take the ball from him and score on his first play from scrimmage.
Keep running your mouth, it’s entertaining!
RE:
# tooz56 says: November 2, 2010 6:47 PM
That Shannahan mental stuff wont work on McNabb. He was abused from the second he was drafted by the Philly fans. He is RICH, in his mid 30′s and will just let it roll off his back, and throw in some jabs of his own.
Mike Shanahan is a QB genius. WHAT ? WHO? WHEN? PLEASE EXPLAIN…
—————————
tooz, If you know anything at all about McNabb, you know that NOTHING rolls off his back.
Mooch … Seriously? With the exception of Cooley you can’t compare these stiffs to the Pats of old.
QB – Brady
RB – Dillon
WR – Branch
WR – Givens
TE – Daniel Graham
QB – McNabb
RB – Portis / Torain
WR – Moss
WR – Armstrong
TE – Cooley
“I’d say that’s pretty close to equal all in all, with TE and WR1 and edge for the Redskins.”
How so? That team back then is better than the team now.
“But I keep hearing from McNabb supporters over the years that he makes mediocre players better!
And yet…we see again that he really doesn’t. He needs an All-Star team of T.O.s in order to succeed. He isn’t a decisive factor”.
Oh Really? Since you forget let me help you out here.
D. McNabb
Westbrook/Staley
James Thrash
Pinkston and F. Mitchell
L.J. Smith
They went 12-4 that season. Thrash, Pinkston and Mitchell were some really bad receivers.
THRASH: played 4 yeas with Wash before going to Philly for 3 years. There he had his 2 best season out of 3, went back to Washing for 4 more years and sucked.
PINKSTON: Played 4 years with Philly, Had one decent season.
FREDDIE MITCHELL: 4 years with Philly and was a complete bust.
So if that’s not making medicore players better then I don’t know what does. Oh you forget he ALSO made Buckhalter, Westbrook and Staley that much better.
I was so excited when McNabb and Shanahan, where brought in. But after sunday I would truely have to put the blame on coaching, not dbl teaming calvin? lack of any type of protection. so obviously this is all McNabbs fault, and the answer is to pull him. and bring in grossman.
For x-mas this year I want the shanahans fired, after this last game Im through, die-hard redskin fan, but McNabb has had a good season considering what he inherited. winning cures everything, but losing and making coaching errors, so they (shananhan’s) need to start blaming and pointing fingers, NO, you take your medicine the whole season, and you re-group in the off-season. they still have a chance, but now I feel he will lose the locker room.
I like McNabb; that said he’s got some warts. He’s notoriously inaccurate and not always mentally into the game. How could you not know a regular season OT ends after 15 min? That said, he took the Eagles to some of those championship games with complete garbage at wideout. James Thrash. Freddie Mitchell. Todd Pinkston. The Eagles cheapness virtually guarantees they’ll have a real tough time making it to a Super Bowl.
People make a big deal out of the Colts bringing WR’s off the street and Manning coming up big. But Manning has been to only one more Super Bowl than McNabb, and he’s had either Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne or both. When we talk about Pro Bowlers playing with McNabb, there’s the 1 1/2 years with TO, DeSean Jackson in his last two years in Philly and that’s it.
Washington was 4-12 last season. They’ve already won that much this year, and their offensive roster is old and terrible. They can’t block. Only three other teams in the NFC have allowed more points. Does anyone really believe their mediocrity centers on McNabb?
Once again, psychotic Philly fans have nothing better to do than bitch about McNabb when he’s not even on their team.
” What is a talented ass clown?”
Cody Ross
snoopysnoopy13 says:
November 2, 2010 5:33 PM
Someone please tell me what Mike Shanahan has won without John Elway and Terrell Davis?
OK, I will answer my own question:
NOTHING!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Your just a idiot.
What was Shanahan suppose to come out and say ” McNabb has played like shit this year”????
Yeah mabye it was the wrong time to pull him but Im sure the coaches are tired of balls either sailing over or at the feet of open recievers.
rickvaldez……i agree. this is the most dysfunctional org in the nfl. every yr it is drama after drama…..seriously? what team has this amount of problems yr to yr and mass chaos?
it all starts at the top though and that midget owner is the root cause. That is just the way manages people which is horrible.
cthunder – let’s have a rational discussion.
I concede one can argue the strength of that Pats team. My point is that Brady’s squad wasn’t exactly Irvin-Smith-Novacek. It was decidedly blue collar, and none of those players did anything after departing. And I think Moss and Cooley are better than what the Pats had. Definiely career-wise and numbers-wise.
As for McNabb receivers – what were Westbrook’s receiving totals? He was pretty much a Marshal Faulk type of first receiving option. And still posted 1,000 yards rushing in a few seasons.
So he had targets.
In fact, a major argument of McNabb supporters here was that Reid called too many pass plays. Which I agreed with. But that also played a role in the gaudy numbers that sometimes are cited as HOF credentials.
Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side.
The season’s shot, and all fans are howling,
It’s you, it’s you must go and we must bide.
snoopysnoopy13 says:
November 2, 2010 5:33 PM
Someone please tell me what Mike Shanahan has won without John Elway and Terrell Davis?
OK, I will answer my own question:
NOTHING!
Oh yeah? Well, as an offensive coordinator, he won a Super Bowl with San Fran.
OK, so he had Young. And Rice. And Waters. And a team stocked with superior talent he had nothing to do with procuring.
But what’s your point?
Both Shammy Senior and his spoiled brat spawn will fade into oblivion from this point.
McNabb’s back in his comfort zone – playing the victim and making passive aggressive comments in interviews. Have fun with that D.C.
Say what you want but McNabb has played in 5 NFC title games and a super bowl. Been all pro 5 times. Won countless playoff games. I wish he were still an Eagle.
They are trying to do him a favor making excuses for him instead of just saying that he sucks. He can be above average with Tra Thomas and JohnRunyan in their primes in front of him, a dumbed down offense that doesn’t him to throw many passes over 10 yards, and a great Jim Johnson defense. He can’t do the things Shanahan asks a QB to do. Why do you think Reid was happy to trade him to a division rival?