NFL Trade Rumors: 10 Scenarios Which Keep Donovan McNabb in Washington
Although the general consensus is that quarterback Donovan McNabb won't be a Washington Redskin next season, there are still some factors that could keep him in D.C. for the 2011-2012 season.
McNabb, once the star QB of the Philadelphia Eagles, is a veteran with prior success in the league, and such players tend to stick around even as their skills decline.
Here are 10 reasons why McNabb could still be with the Washington Redskins, for better or for worse, in the 2011-2012 season.
10. Everybody's Unhappy in D.C.
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Donovan McNabb is not the only player who was discontent with the Washington Redskins last season; a wide range of players expressed frustrations, even with head coach Mike Shanahan.
Albert Haynesworth was probably the biggest source of depression for the team, a once game-changing superstar who was a problem from the start.
Clinton Portis, once the team's star running back, reportedly wanted out.
And a 6-10 regular season record will make even the most loyal players turn their backs on an organization.
McNabb didn't make too many friends in D.C.—particularly not with Shanahan—but he wasn't the only one, and perhaps the organization will realize this and give him another chance at the helm.
9. Other Parts of the Team Could be to Blame
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McNabb certainly had a good deal of blame placed on him for the team's miserable season.
But he wasn't the only reason the team sank.
The team had a mediocre-at-best offensive line and lost their star running back Clinton Portis, who currently is in the "what-have-you-done-for-me-lately" file.
There were numerous problems with the team, and McNabb could be looked at simply as a byproduct of an atmosphere not ripe for winning football games.
8. Fear of Backlash
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Despite McNabb having a forgettable 2010 campaign, throwing for 14 touchdowns to 15 interceptions, he's still a player that holds a good deal of respect in the league, if only for his past successes with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Veteran quarterbacks that have demonstrated a knack for winning games always seem to have a place in the NFL, even if they are noticeably declining.
Although probably not many Redskins fans would agree, McNabb is still a veteran capable of bringing stability to the QB spot.
"Capable" being the key word.
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7. Shanahan Backs Off
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Wow, is this picture from a dream?
Coach Mike Shanahan and Donovan McNabb may have been all smiles when he was introduced as a Redskin, but thing quickly turned sour once the season began.
Shanahan was constantly at McNabb's throat; eventually leading to McNabb's benching in favor of backup Rex Grossman.
But maybe Shanahan will back off with some time to think in the offseason.
It was, after all, he who OK'd the deal, preferring a veteran over a question mark in Grossman.
Maybe he'll remember the laughs he and McNabb shared—albeit for a brief period of time.
Of course, that's a big "maybe," given that Shanahan is about as stubborn as Bill Belichick deflecting questions about injury reports.
6. McNabb the Tutor
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The Washington Redskins have a multitude of problems, ranging from the defensive line to the QB position.
If they decide to go after a quarterback in the 2011 NFL Draft, a veteran could be a good mentor for a young quarterback.
Instead of throwing said quarterback into the NFL, McNabb could help him with his homework for a year or so.
5. 2011 NFL Draft
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Speaking of the 2011 NFL Draft, it could be argued that the Redskins' biggest concern is its defensive line—especially with Albert Haynesworth becoming a new type of disruptive force: one that causes disruption off the field instead of on it.
If the Redskins go defense in the draft, they may opt to go with McNabb for now, instead of placing their hopes on the incomparable Sexy Rex.
Speaking of Sexy Rex...
4. Rex Grossman
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You wanna know why Donovan McNabb could still be the Redskins' best option at quarterback?
His name is Rex Grossman, who goes by the nickname "Sexy Rex," which makes little sense, given that he's never been that sexy on the field.
Picking who's worse, Rex Grossman or the 2010 version of Donovan McNabb, is like choosing between burnt pizza and undercooked pizza; burnt pizza is all burnt out, and undercooked pizza is all sloppy—eventually making you look like a fool when it causes a mess on your face.
3. Shanahan Ignores His Son Again
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Reportedly, Mike Shanahan ignored his son, Kyle, when he told him that bringing McNabb to D.C. wasn't exactly a great idea.
Kyle said McNabb would be a bad fit for his father's offense, but apparently Shanahan doesn't listen to anyone—including his son.
Whatever happened to getting wiser with age?
2. Can't Find a Trading Partner
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By all indications, the Redskins would simply release McNabb and his gigantic contract if they weren't able to find a trading partner somewhere in the NFL.
But it's always hard for teams to depart with NFL veterans, because veterans are those guys that have been around the league for a while and have learned a thing or two about playing the game of football.
There's a chance that, simply, no one wants McNabb throughout the league; some may deem him to be washed-up for good—too washed-up to get dirty for their team.
1. Lockout at Midnight
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It's fitting that the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the players' union runs out at midnight on March 3.
Because it would surely bring some darkness to football as we know it.
In addition to the next season simply being forfeited, teams would also not be able to sign any players to contracts before the CBA is restructured.
This changes the draft, of course, as many teams with primary needs at quarterback could turn to prospects instead of free agents.
With several teams in the top 10 looking for a new starting quarterback, this could lead to these teams reaching for QBs when they otherwise would address a need with the best available player.
McNabb's chances of signing with another team would drop, not to mention that the Redskins probably wouldn't be able to find a top quarterback at No.10 in the draft if teams ahead of them acted first.
Darkness everywhere, and Redskins fans are simply trying to find a way not to be depressed anymore.
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