Washington Redskins Facing Bye Week Donovan McNabb Reality Check

The Washington Redskins are sitting right in the thick of the NFC East race at 4-4, but that is more of a credit to the average play of their competition and not to their own successes.

The focus of the bye week media frenzy will be Mike Shanahan and his decision to bench Donovan McNabb to finish the game against the Lions. The question on everyone's minds is what Shanahan was thinking when he pulled McNabb in favor of Rex Grossman with the game within reach.

The answer lies in McNabb's very presence in Washington.

The question lingering in the air since the Eagles traded McNabb to the division rival Redskins is "Why?". Yes, the Eagles were looking toward the future with Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick, but McNabb had done so much for the organization to be disrespected and devalued so readily by his coach and team. Betrayal is the first thing that comes to mind.

Upon further review, it would seem like the realists in Philadelphia and the so-called pessimists in Washington were right.

One week, Andy Reid is telling the media that all three quarterbacks are in Philadelphia to stay. The next, McNabb is in Washington in front of the media talking about being excited to be a Redskin. That snap decision should have been a warning to everyone that McNabb was damaged goods.

When will Redskins fans realize that, however impressive it may be, McNabb's stellar play came under one coach and one system for his entire career. He is a great leader, but the old adage about teaching an old dog new tricks applies in this case.

Look at the circumstances of his first eight games in Washington. He has been hit in increasing amounts each week, much like he was in Philadelphia. The only difference being that now he doesn't have the familiar faces to turn to in his time of need. He is not as a fast as he used to be and learning Kyle Shanahan's offense on the fly is slowing him down more.

Add in the deteriorating offensive line play and McNabb looks like a shockingly average quarterback.

To place total blame on McNabb is harsh by anyone's standards. The line has been porous in recent weeks, yielding 16 sacks over the last four weeks alone. Chris Cooley hasn't been right since his concussion, dropping numerous passes throughout the last two games. The defense seems dead-set on not showing up every week with the same intensity.

The Redskins as a team are playing down to their opponents and McNabb is getting pinned with all the blame.

The bye week should not be a happy one for the Redskins.

If they aren't mad about losing to the Lions for a second straight year, they don't deserve to win anything. The Shanahans would be wise to diffuse any brewing quarterback controversy before McNabb's confidence is shaken anymore than it already has been.

McNabb may not be playing up to snuff, but his leadership is an invaluable quality that Grossman or anyone else they may stick under center does not have.

This is hardly a time to abandon ship, and we are supposed to trust the Shanahans and Bruce Allen. Hopefully, the week away from competition will re-energize a Redskins team that has looked lethargic in every phase of the game. The veteran element of this team needs to tap into the experience to keep the young guys in the right frame of mind.

Washington fans are caught in their infamous hype-machine, putting the Redskins comfortable in the playoffs once McNabb put on a jersey. These Redskins are 8-8 material, with an outside chance at a Wild Card spot in a chaotic and weak NFC.