Getty ImagesIf/when the lockout ends, a largely unprecedented game of quarterback musical chairs could unfold, with a pair of veterans who have started Super Bowls among the several veteran signal-callers who will be available.
The biggest name, current skills notwithstanding, could be Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb.
Thanks to a contract extension that he signed in 2010 after being benched in crunch time of an eventual loss to the Lions, the Redskins hold McNabb’s rights. And coach Mike Shanahan surely will want to try to trade McNabb, if for no reason other than to recoup some of the trade consideration (a second-round pick in 2010 and a fourth-rounder in 2011) that the Redskins shipped to Philly for McNabb in 2010.
The contract extension to which McNabb agreed gives the Redskins the ability to squat on McNabb until the eve of the regular-season opener. After Week One, the Redskins would owe McNabb a $10 million option bonus and a $2.5 million base salary. Before then, however, the Redskins owe McNabb nothing — and thus the Redskins can wait for the kind of trade offer that they want.
Or McNabb can buy out the balance of his contract. For the tidy sum of $30 million.
Jason Reid of the Washington Post recently speculated that the Redskins would get, at most, a conditional sixth-round or seventh-round pick for McNabb. Even then, McNabb likely would have to be willing to renegotiate his contract.
But would McNabb, who has a reputation for obsessing over appearances, sign off on a trade that nets scraps at best? If, as has been widely reported and never refuted, McNabb refused last season to wear a wristband last containing the team’s plays because of its potential impact on his image, the idea that he’s only worth a conditional late-round pick won’t do anything to promote the notion that he’s still an elite quarterback.
Thus, this one could get ugly. McNabb stubbornly will want to be cut, not traded, so that he can pick his next team without the application of the ugly-hat-with-a-free-bowl-of-soup stigma. Shanahan stubbornly will want to get value for McNabb.
Since McNabb is under contract, look for him to show up for duty when training camp opens. And what transpires could make last year’s Albert Haynesworth brouhaha look like a mild disagreement over the finer points of the rules of Monopoly.
Somewhere, Terrell Owens has his popcorn ready.
In the exact same situations, vs. the same team, Eli Manning forged a place in football history, while McNabb’s body literally shut down on him due to nerves.
And that my friends, is THAT.
But he’s one of the 100 best players in the NFL!
the skins are comical
How did the Skins mess up so badly with McNabb and Haynesworth???
Veteran backup for Vick in Philly……Makes the most sense. Knows the offense, team, coaching staff…..will almost be GUARANTEED to start at least 2-3 games….goes down as greatest QB in Phil history. Beats being a one year disappointment in Cincy or Minn and getting benched again in week 10 to “fade into Bolivian” a la Mike Tyson.
Am I the only one who doesn’t care about any of this?
somewhere, Terrell Owens will have popcorn ready while he sits at home and watches football next season
I wouldn’t be surprised if he just retires, he doesn’t seem to have the fire anymore.
ok problem 1 you referenced Jason Reid…
problem 2 if this is the only sound source you have for this story then it’s not a story.
Jason Reid is a useless hack…I’m sure during this time of season or lack thereof people will say and write any and everything…
I think the team that could use him the most for 1-2 seasons is Tennessee, but that’s only if Collins isn’t willing to come back and if Matt Hasselbeck goes elsewhere. Because of the lockout, I think Locker will need at least one full season of holding a clipboard before becoming a legit starter.
Get ready for Mcanbb’s agent and PR team to bring the race card into trying to get out the bad contract they signed willingly last year.
This is gonna sound strange but I wouldn’t be suprised if he returned. They wouldn’t trade Haynesworth without the right deal and he was the biggest locker room cancer last year. I can see them doing the same thing this year since McNabb is a professional who probably wouldn’t cause that kind of disturbance.
I said about three weeks ago the the strike would be over in two to three weeks-well maybe a couple more weeks but the strike will be over for sure. I said the Minnesota Vikings will build their stadium in Arden Hills-it’s going to happen because the money the Wilfs will make off of the surrounding land they develop with businesses will probably more than double their net worth. And now to McNabb, Donovan McNabb will not make training camp because he will be let go. Shanahan has enough to do without dealing with questions about Donovan McNabb everyday. It’s a complete waste of the Redskins time to think anyone will spend a draft choice on McNabb. McNabb wants out, Shanahan and the Redskins want him out, he’ll be out, next destination……………….the Minnesota Vikings-they’ve already got the weapons and Donovan McNabb is dying to make everybody who doubted him pay!
Package Haynesworth, both Shanahans, McNabb, and Daniel Snyder and trade all of them and maybe the Redskins could get back on a winning track.
And his ability and skills will not have an impact? Outside of the Eagle who else runs a screen centric offense?
Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL are out there looking desperately for a QB!
No fanbase deserves this garbage team/franchise more than Redskins fans.
I heard that the only reason Donovan wouldn’t wear a wristband with the plays spelled out is because he didn’t want to get captured by the opposing team.
He is a real team player….
I think the Skins will have to cut him . I believe his play last year was mostly due to the poor treatment by the Shanny boys . I’m an Eagles and Donny fan but he does have a thin skin and doesn’t react well to criticism . My bet is he signs a 2 year deal with Arizona and comes back with something to prove. has a great run and then retires.
I dont think that all of the poor playing was McNabb`s fault,They could have Tom Brady or Peyton Manning.It would`nt have made any difference what so ever! The problem with the offense was THE OFFENSIVE LINE!!!!….Did you see that Detroit game? Ndamokong Suh just ran over Casey Rabach as if he was`nt even there!If you put McNabb behind a decent line I think he would do really well……Until the Skins get rid of Casey Rabach and a few others on that line,It wont matter who the QB is!
Karma breaks Michael Vicks leg and the Eagles become donovons team once more? HAHAHAHAHAHA.
chadmurdigan says: “Package Haynesworth, both Shanahans, McNabb, and Daniel Snyder and trade all of them and maybe the Redskins could get back on a winning track.”
You might have gotten a desperate High School to jump at that UNTIL you included Snyder. Face it, he’s a deal killer.
Somewhere Vinny Cerrato is smiling
Why should McNabb do the Redskins a favor and let them get ANYTHING for him in compensation and let them send him to the team of their choosing?
All he has to do is force them to cut him (which they will do before his $10 mil bonus falls due) and then he can pick his team, rather than let the Redskins pick one for him. To do that all he has to do is refuse to redo his deal for any prospective trade partner, no team is going to cough up draft picks AND pay him $10 mil.
Sure, by doing that he ‘could’ get to a team early in TC, but that’s only going to help if the team envisions him as their starter. Does anyone really think a team is going to trade for McNabb with visions of him being their starter on day one of the NFL season? I don’t.
T.O. has bigger issues to worry about than eating popcorn and McNabb.
He needs to salvage his career.
He will be the Redskins QB in 2011. Shanny will not give him away for nothing. He may not be the starter – as ill-conceived as that may be – but he will be on the roster, same goes for Haynesworth. Likely to be another 5-11 type year for my squad.
pixelito
In the exact same situations, vs. the same team, Eli Manning forged a place in football history, while McNabb’s body literally shut down on him due to nerves.
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Except that, on the McNabb drive to which you’re referring, the Eagles… you know… scored. So I’m not sure what you’re talking about.
Props to Eli for being among 52 others players that won the SB 4 years ago. Major achievement.
But lets not forget – He led the league in picks last year.
Veteran backup for Vick in Philly……Makes the most sense. Knows the offense, team, coaching staff…..will almost be GUARANTEED to start at least 2-3 games….goes down as greatest QB in Phil history.
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Otherwise known as “fastest horse at the glue factory” haha
davem23 says: Jul 5, 2011 11:27 AM
And his ability and skills will not have an impact? Outside of the Eagle who else runs a screen centric offense?
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The Ravens playbook consists of one goal… pass the ball to Ray Rice. At least… that’s all Flacco does. I have no idea if that’s the only thing in the playbook or not.
But he’s not going there; Baltimore doesn’t (yet) want to admit Flacco was a gamble and they’re probably starting to realize he just might not have as high a ceiling as they thought.
pixelito
In the exact same situations, vs. the same team, Eli Manning forged a place in football history, while McNabb’s body literally shut down on him due to nerves.
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Yes, Eli was so good that he had the officials not call forward progress stopped… when any other time the play would be blown dead the minute a hand is on a QB.
Then, Eli was so good… to have Tyree make an amazing catch on a poorly thrown ball. And again… Eli had EVERYTHING to do with how much pressure the Giants defense got on Brady.
Eli had about as much to do with winning the Super Bowl as Roethlisberger did with his first Super Bowl win.
burgandyandgold says: Jul 5, 2011 12:13 PM
He will be the Redskins QB in 2011. Shanny will not give him away for nothing. He may not be the starter – as ill-conceived as that may be – but he will be on the roster, same goes for Haynesworth. Likely to be another 5-11 type year for my squad.
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The Redskins really will pay their backup or 3rd QB $12 million?? I doubt it.
McMartyr’s most amazing stat, which he probably is the all-time leader, is getting paid ‘shut-up and stop crying’ money twice for being benched when he was stinkin’ up the joint.
Ahh yes the Foreskins, aka Landover Laugh Factory
I think a sixth is generous. I don’t think he has any value at all.
He’ll be released at some point.
whathappenedtovox says: Jul 5, 2011 12:17 PM
pixelito
In the exact same situations, vs. the same team, Eli Manning forged a place in football history, while McNabb’s body literally shut down on him due to nerves.
_______________________
Except that, on the McNabb drive to which you’re referring, the Eagles… you know… scored. So I’m not sure what you’re talking about.
Props to Eli for being among 52 others players that won the SB 4 years ago. Major achievement.
But lets not forget – He led the league in picks last year.
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If you recall, he couldn’t breathe, and took forever and a day to move his team down the field to score the TD you’re talking about.
It was a true prevent defense though, and the clock was against the eagles, they needed two scores in that time, not one.
A better title would have been “Can anyone think of any way the Redskins could get something for McNabb?”
The details of his contract make cutting him the only option. The Skins won’t pay that bonus, and no other team who could “trade for it” would either.
Donovan’s “apology bonus” contract last year is a total embarrassment for the Redskins front office.
McNabb has zero leverage. He’s a complete idiot for signing that deal with the Redskins last season – he could be a full, unconditional free agent RIGHT NOW if he simply waited.
In fact, there’s no logical reason why McNabb signed that contract, other than to tick off Shanahan.
Well, McNabb signed the deal – now he’s stuck at the mercy of Snyder and Shanahan.
I feel no pity for that fool.
The entire Redskin organization is a joke and will continue to be a joke as long as Daniel Schneider is the owner. The the only he ever gets to hoist the Lombardi Trophy on Super Bowl Sunday is if he goes and open the Redskins’ trophy and pick up one from their glory days. Jack Kent Cook; where are you when we need you?
He would be a huge upgrade for the Jets and would make them immediate SB contenders. He may not be great but he is much better than Jamarcuss Russell lookalike Mark Sanchez,
Say what you will about McNabb’s attitude, he’s worth much more than a 6th round draft pick. That would be a steal for any team for a STARTING QB.
granada: thats what washington thought about the price they paid last year. heres to hoping shanny sits on him until the day before the regular season starts and then cuts him too late to do anyone much good, unless its philly…
when you are talking about benching the best QB on the team for a no name, no game, never played 3rd string QB, you get what you deserve.
Can’t wait to see Beck when opposing DL run through that ptitiful OL.
Shanahan starting to stink like day old Fish(er).
Retire or Philly back up QB to Vick, if he would renegotiate for a much lower than present salary. Nobody is going to pay big money for Donavan, given last years dismall performance.