Washington Redskins Midseason Report Card: Grading Donovan McNabb and the Rest

The Washington Redskins are halfway through their 2010 NFL season, and so far, the results have been fairly mixed. The team has a record of 4-4, but most fans and analysts will say they should be even better.

The 'Skins have had trouble putting everything together. If they are good in one area, other areas fall apart. They need some consistency if they want to become a playoff team.

Here's a report card of how each aspect of the Redskins' team has performed so far this season:

Passing: C-

In the offseason, the Redskins traded a couple of high draft picks for Donovan McNabb, who was celebrated as the team's "Quarterback of the Future". He was supposed to step in, along with new head coach Mike Shanahan, and lead the Redskins from last place in the NFC East to first place. 

So far, that hasn't happened. McNabb has been very disappointing, throwing for only seven touchdowns to go with eight interceptions. He only has 1,971 passing yards and a 76.0 passer rating. And, to make matters worse, he's been sacked 23 times on the year, more than any QB but Jay Cutler of the Chicago Bears.

Running: B-

Ryan Torain, the replacement for the injured Clinton Portis, has been one of the team's biggest bright spots this season. But, he's been inconsistent so far this year.

For example, he followed up a 125 yard game against the Bears with a 10 yard performance against the Detroit Lions.

The Redskins still find themselves ranked near the bottom of the league in rushing yards per game, with just under 95.

Pass Defense: D

The only thing keeping this grade from being an F is the play of DeAngelo Hall and LaRon Landry. 

Hall had four interceptions against the Bears and added another one against the Lions.

Landry has been a tackling machine, looking like one of the best young safeties in the game.

Otherwise, the Redskins' pass defense has been horrible, the third worst in the NFL this year.

Run Defense: C

The run defense hasn't been too much better for Washington. They allow over 112 yards per game, making them only the 20th ranked run defense in the league.

Theoretically, that should get better and better the more Albert Haynesworth plays, if he plays at all.

Special Teams: B+

Brandon Banks has been a spark for the Redskins special teams. He is currently ranked third in average punt return yards and seventh in average kickoff return yards. He also had a 96 yard touchdown return on a kickoff last week.

Graham Gano has hit on 15 out of his 20 field goal attempts so far this year, missing both of his 50+ yard attempts. So, while Gano could show some improvement, he's certainly not the worst kicker in the league.

Coaching: D-

Mike Shanahan has two more Super Bowl rings than I'll ever have, but come on. What is his plan for this team? Is he just going to alienate every high-paid player in the locker room and hope for the best?

He started off training camp by messing with Haynesworth, alienating him to the point he wanted a trade. Unfortunately for him, no other NFL team is willing to take on his huge contract, so he's stuck in Washington for now.

Then, last week, Shanahan turned his attention to McNabb, benching him in favor of Rex Grossman in the last two minutes of their loss to the Lions. Yes, that Rex Grossman. Was anyone surprised when on Grossman's first play, he fumbled and had it returned for a touchdown? Anyone? Anyone at all?

Now, Shanahan is saying McNabb can't run the two-minute offense, and that he doesn't have the cardiovascular endurance for it.

I don't care if Rex Grossman is the fittest man on planet Earth, I don't want him running my team in the last two minutes of an NFL football game.

If I was Santana Moss or Clinton Portis, I'd watch out. Their big contracts might mean they will be Shanahan's next targets.

Looking Forward

The Redskins' schedule doesn't get much easier down the stretch. They still have both matchups against the New York Giants left, and the Giants look like one of the two best teams in the NFC. 

I don't see the Redskins picking up more than four more wins after the bye week, which means they'll finish this year at 8-8, which probably won't be good enough to pick up a wild card spot.

It's going to be another long offseason in Washington.