Donovan McNabb Benched: 10 Reasons Mike Shanahan Is Considering Other QB Options
Donovan McNabb benched was the headline that rocked the Washington Redskins nation today.
Last night Washington head coach, Mike Shanahan, chose to bench quarterback Donovan McNabb in favor of Rex Grossman. My only questions is whether Shanahan has ever seen Grossman throw, because I remember his days in Chicago and they were not exactly confidence inducing.
Shanahan had his reasons, although he changed what his reason was initially to something entirely different today. This has me believing his reasons are much more than the two that have been given. Let's delve into what Mike Shanahan must have been thinking.
10: Different Look
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The Redskins offense had stagnated in the fourth quarter this past Sunday against the Lions. Besides a two yard run, the Redskins were able to take the lead with a 95 yard kick return with eight minutes left in the game.
What was clear by the time the two minute warning neared is that the Lions had figured out the Redskins. Perhaps Shanahan wanted to throw their defense for a loop. It is a certainty that the Lions defense did not take many reps in preparation for the likes of Rex Grossman to take the field. I guess anything is possible.
9: Gut Feeling
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Maybe Mike Shanahan was playing a hunch. He stated after the game that he was following his "gut-feeling" when he took out McNabb.
Perhaps when scouring the defense he saw an opportunity best fit by the likes of Rex Grossman. Maybe he saw something in the demeanor of Donovan McNabb that tipped him off that there could be issues. Whatever the reason, it is clear that Shanahan was going on subjective feeling on this one.
8: McNabb's Injuries
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One thing is certain. Donovan McNabb is hobbled. The quarterback has always relied heavily on his mobility. This late in the season, it is just not there.
McNabb is hampered by lingering groin and hamstring injuries. That is one certainty that Shanahan would have been well aware of. I could see him pondering how a quarterback with bum legs could take them into the end zone with two minutes remaining.
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7: Performance
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Donovan McNabb was not himself on Sunday against the Lions. He has played badly for most of the year but Sunday, he was exceptionally unlike himself.
His 75.7 quarterback ranking was mediocre for such a quarterback going against the Lions defense. The Skins QB should have fared much better in this contest. His lone touchdown was coupled with a crucial pick thrown.
6: Complex Two Minutes
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What Mike Shanahan initially stated was that he felt McNabb could not fathom the intricacies of his two minute offense so soon after joining the team.
This excuse is the most preposterous of them all but I put it here because it is the one he lead with. This was the eighth game that McNabb had at the helm. You can assume that every quarterback worth his salt learns the most crucial of offenses almost immediately upon joining a team.
McNabb knows the offense, if not you throw him into the fire. You may need him under the same offense in the playoffs. It is best to get him practice in October.
5: Conditioning
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Today, Shanahan changed his excuses. He went from McNabb did not know the offense to McNabb is too fat to run it.
The two minute offense has the quarterback often running two plays at a time. Once one pass is completed he is running to the line to set up the next play. It takes endurance and speed. Mike Shanahan has now admitted that McNabb has neither. I am sure this ends well.
This episode reminds us of the now infamous Terrell Owens quote insinuating that Donovan McNabb tired towards the end of Super Bowl XXXIX.
4: McNabb No Longer Clutch
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This one became quite prevalent a couple of weeks ago against the Colts. McNabb's career has always been known for late game winning drives. He has 23 game winners in his career.
But on October 17th at home against the Colts, McNabb just did not have it. The aura of Donovan had vanished. I think to some degree Washington's head coach remembered that.
3: McNabb's Turnovers
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Another trait that has gone missing this year is McNabb's usually fantastic touchdown to interception ratio. Donovan could always be trusted to handle the ball and not give it away.
This year he is the exact opposite of trustworthy. He has just seven touchdowns to eight interceptions thrown.
In the two minute offense, you find yourself taking some chances you might not take otherwise. It is precisely that reason that it is a successful offense. It is a high risk, high reward concept. McNabb has only been high risk this season.
2: Spark the Redskins
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One of the jobs of the head coach is to be a motivator. It is one job that some coaches, namely Wade Phillips, have yet to master.
It is clear that the Redskins need some motivation. Not just late in the Detroit game but on the season as a whole. What better way to light a fire under these guys than to sit your best player. This put everyone on notice.
Mike Shanahan said loud and clear, for the whole team to hear, no one's job is safe, so start playing like you want it.
1: Spark Donovan McNabb
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If you want to go far in the NFL, you need an elite quarterback to helm the ship. It is the one thing the team has been missing these many years. The Redskins organization felt they had acquired one of the best in Donovan McNabb. He has not played like it thus far.
Mike Shanahan has always been good at manipulating his players to get the most out of them. With a lackluster eight games under his belt, the benching was a slap in the face. Shanahan was trying to get McNabb to realize that they need him to play better. They need him to lead by example. They need the old Donovan, not an old Donovan .
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