Donovan McNabb: Is He Being Targeted in NFL Free Agency by the Miami Dolphins?

Earlier this week, Sports Illustrated NFL insider Peter King appeared on Pardon the Interruption. In his segment, King suggested that the Miami Dolphins could acquire Washington Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb.

Specifically, King said: 

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“You know, I’ve heard that the Vikings have cooled on Donovan McNabb. And you know, I think it’s gonna be a game of musical chairs. First of all, I think the guy who a lot of people are really interested in is Matt Hasselbeck. Will he go to Tennessee? Will he go to Minnesota? Will he go to Arizona? I think after that domino falls, then we look at Marc Bulger, then we look at Donovan McNabb. It’s crazy to say, based on what’s happened in the last year, but there’s not a lot of buzz out there for Donovan McNabb. For some reason I think he ends up in Miami.”

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Since King dropped this speculative nugget, talk of McNabb in Miami has dominated the South Florida sports scene. Virtually every local media outlet, from radio talk shows to blogs to newspapers, have been weighing the pros and cons, and the general sentiment seems to be heavily anti-McNabb.

But everybody who has relentlessly bashed McNabb for being washed up needs to look at the whole picture—not just last season.

McNabb has taken extensive criticism for his disastrous 2010 season, but realize a few things:

1. Clinton Portis and the Redskins rushing attack were dismal last year. Even with running back wizard Mike Shanahan calling the shots, McNabb received no support from the NFL's 30th-ranked rushing team.

2. Washington's offense was almost completely devoid of weapons. Santana Moss had a great year, but besides him, McNabb was throwing to the likes of Joey Galloway, Roydell Williams, and Fred Davis. Few quarterbacks could succeed in that offense.

3. Sure, McNabb had a bad year in 2010, but he is only two years removed from a great year with the Eagles. In 2009, he threw for 3,533 yards and 22 touchdowns en route to a playoff berth. 

Now, with all that being said, McNabb will not be the Dolphins' quarterback of choice. 

General manager Jeff Ireland and head coach Tony Sparano need to win now, so they will investigate more appealing options, such as Kyle Orton, Matt Hasselbeck and Carson Palmer.

But will they want to overspend or part with valuable draft picks in exchange for a mediocre quarterback? Wouldn't it make more sense for the team to send a middle- or late-round pick to Washington for McNabb?   

Look, McNabb can get this team to the playoffs. This year's Dolphins team will be insurmountably more talented than the 2010 Redskins, and he brings veteran leadership and amiable character to a team desperate for both. 

Can he get the 'Fins to a Super Bowl? Probably not, but it's possible. If quarterbacks like Mark Rypien, Jeff Hostetler, Brad Johnson and Trent Dilfer can win a championship, there's no doubt that McNabb can, even in the midst of his decline.

Besides, McNabb only had the opportunity to play with a receiver of Brandon Marshall's caliber one time (Terrell Owens), and produced illustrious numbers and a Super Bowl appearance.

Those looking for the Dolphins to land a "savior" this summer will be sadly disappointed. That player is not out there. The best course of action for Miami to take is to sign a veteran such as McNabb to a short-term contract and look for a quarterback in next year's draft or free agency.  

Donovan McNabb might not be Kyle Orton or Carson Palmer, but he definitely still has a few years of quality football left in him. He has been unfairly criticized for the duration of his career, and one last change of scenery might inspire McNabb to revive his once-dominant play.