NFL Trade Speculation: Latest Donovan McNabb Rumors and Speculation
The quarterback situation in Washington is hectic, to say the least, and it's Donovan McNabb that's at the forefront.
While it's not all that exciting to hear that your team's starting quarterback candidates are John Beck and Rex Grossman, it's close to certain that McNabb is out in Washington.
Although the veteran McNabb is 34 and on the down-slope of his career, it's all but over. McNabb continues to be a viable quarterback in the NFL and there are teams that could really use his services. Whether that be a team that's possibly a quarterback away from contention, or a team that's looking for a trusted stopgap, McNabb will most definitely have a starting job by the time the season begins.
No. 5 : Washington
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As a Redskins fan, the last thing I want to do is give up hope in John Beck before even seeing him take the field. So I won't do that. But what I will do is admit that Beck as the Redskins starting quarterback going into next season is a tad bit frightening.
Not having thrown a regular season pass since 2007, Beck is unproven at the NFL level. Sure, head coach Mike Shanahan instills his trust in the 29-year-old signal-caller, but we as fans know what it's like when new quarterbacks are brought into Washington. Understandably so, Shanahan is a new coach with a new philosophy and one of the brighter minds to lead the team in a while, and I guess we'll roll with that for lack of a better excuse.
Saying McNabb is out in Washington is almost a guarantee, but it's not set in stone. If Shanahan gets chilly feet as the season approaches, McNabb is one of the guys "on the market" and he happens to be the easiest to retain.
The problem with McNabb in Washington is the strained relationship between he and Shanahan and the fact that he's due entirely too much money. And for that, Washington is at the bottom of this list.
No. 4 : Minnesota
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Before the departure of Brad Childress as head coach, the possibility of McNabb to Minnesota made a little more sense. And with Minnesota's first-round draft selection Christian Ponder now in the Vikings' quarterback mix, McNabb could be even less likely. But I wouldn't call it impossible.
The Vikings have some quarterbacks that could step in and play, but none will lead the team to any deep playoff runs next season. Minnesota, in my opinion, has the chance to be really good with the addition of solid and consistent quarterback play. The pieces are there, but the quarterback is not.
I know I used the word 'consistency' and last year's Donovan McNabb was far from it, but I'm thinking more of his Philadelphia days. And besides, last season McNabb was learning a new system, he was protected by a weak offensive line and he was expected to carry a below-average team to the playoffs.
Although he would be considered a stopgap-like quarterback, McNabb could help the Vikings down the stretch. Joe Webb doesn't appear to grasp the position yet, Tavaris Jackson's future with the team is foggy and head coach Leslie Frazier may not want to throw Ponder into the fire right away.
No. 3 : Tennessee
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Like McNabb in Washington, Vince Young is in a very similar boat in Tennessee—except a helluva lot worse. Titans' owner Bud Adams publicly stated that Young would not be on the 2011-2012 roster and that would essentially leave first-year head coach Mike Munchak with the Larry King-aged Kerry Collins and the rookie Jake Locker as the team's only options at quarterback for next season. Needless to say, that's not a good situation to be in.
While I do respect Collins' game and I do enjoy rooting for the ol' fella, it's apparent that he's not the best case scenario for a Titans team that is looking to improve and get the most out of their young players.
When the Titans selected Locker at No. 8 in the first round of last month's draft, everyone (including myself) screamed, "Reach!". And I'm not saying that me, or the millions of others, are any kind of mind-readers or professionals, but it doesn't take a genius to realize that Locker probably isn't ready for the pros just yet.
Suddenly we're looking at another stopgap situation for Donovan McNabb. The talent surrounding McNabb in a potential situation in Tennessee wouldn't be ideal (pedestrian receivers), but I'd like to think he'd be a better option than Collins, Locker or Rusty Smith.
And for good measure, the rookie Locker could benefit from sitting behind McNabb for a year or two. When McNabb was in his prime, he was a mobile threat with great intangibles and mediocre accuracy. Sound familiar?
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No. 2 : Miami
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With Chad Henne as arguably the Miami Dolphins best quarterback going into next season, I wouldn't be surprised to see Donovan McNabb in South Beach next year.
Although Henne has just 27 starts in three NFL seasons, Dolphins fans appear to be fed up with him and willing to move on. Not that I want to sound like a Henne-supporter or act as if I know what it's like to have him as my team's quarterback, but I'd initially think that the young man needs at least one more full season to prove his worth.
Head coach Tony Sporano is clearly on the hot seat this season and that could serve as the primary reason for giving McNabb a call. Whenever your job is on the line, you don't want to take too many risks. While some may label McNabb the bigger risk factor, Sporano would probably believe in the safe-veteran system rather than the risky youngster.
The supporting cast in Miami could benefit McNabb as well. The backfield may be in a rebuilding stage, but the offensive line is solid and McNabb could mesh well with guys like Brandon Marshall and Devone Bess.
No. 1 : Arizona
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Considering Donovan McNabb has been routinely practicing in Arizona with more than 20 players from the Cardinals organization, I'd think it's safe to say that Arizona belongs atop this list.
In McNabb's defense (and he doesn't really need one), his offseason home is in Chandler, Arizona and it would make sense during a lockout that he cuts down on travel costs and works out with is buddy Larry Fitzgerald and his teammates. And not to sound like a whiner, McNabb has visited his Virginia home and participated in some workouts near the Redskins facility.
Like Minnesota, the Arizona Cardinals are a team that could go very far with a reliable veteran at the quarterback position. The offense in Arizona is top-notch and McNabb would find a great connection with Fitzgerald along the outside.
Head coach Ken Whisenhunt decided that he didn't want to take a risk on a quarterback in the draft and I don't know how confident he'd be in turning the keys over to second-year player John Skelton. What Whisenhunt may prefer is naming Skelton his quarterback of the future and allowing him to learn behind McNabb for a couple of seasons. And I want to note, I've liked Skelton since his college days—I think he's going to be good.
This appears to be a win-win for both the Cardinals and McNabb. Whisenhunt and Arizona would gain veteran leadership on offense and a trusted passer, while McNabb would get the opportunity to play in a great system and retire in the state he has planned to do so his whole career.
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