McNabb: It Was Not Sunny In Washington

When the Phildelphia Eagles drafted Donovan McNabb, the fans booed him. It was a love/hate relationship for much of his career. He went to numerous NFC Championship games in a row and even made a Super Bowl appearance with the team, but the fans always blamed him when the team lost. He finally got his wish and was traded, but he ended up on the Washington Redskins. The team had a new head coach, Mike Shanahan, and a lot of question marks going into this season. The team announced today that he will be benched for remainder of the season. It wasn't always sunny in Philadelphia, but at least he was the starter. What's next for McNabb?

The Washington Redskins have been a trainwreck since training camp started and Shanahan and Albert Haynesworth got into a pissing contest about fitness. Shanahan made Haynesworth do a fitness test and wouldn't activate him until he passed. It took him far too many tries for someone who should be a top-tier defensive lineman to complete, but Shanahan was just trying to prove a point. It doesn't matter how much you are getting paid or what you have done in the past, you must earn your spot on this team. This philosophy didn't work with Haynesworth, he has had a poor season and finds himself inactive most weeks. Shanahan even bench McNabb in the final two minutes of a game earlier in the season for Rex Grossman. He stated that Grossman was better suited to run the two-minute offense. He later said that McNabb wasn't in shape enough to run the two-minute offense. It didn't sit well with McNabb and his season has been in a tailspin since.

McNabb is having his worst season since his rookie campaign. He has only thrown 14 touchdowns on the year and has thrown a career-high 15 interceptions and has fumbled seven times. He has never finished a season throwing more interceptions than touchdowns, but appears that his season is finished. He will be the back-up to Rex Grossman this week and then the remainder of the season, he will be the emergency quarterback behind John Beck.

The media made a large story about the Redskins signing McNabb to a five-year extension before the Philadelphia game. It was a large money deal, but barely any of that money was guaranteed. The contract was basically a deal would keep McNabb happy for the remainder of this year and would give Washington "first dibs" on signing him this off-season. In baseball terms, it's as if he signed a one-year deal with a team option for the next few years. If McNabb stays with the team this off-season and going into next season, he'll receive a $10 million dollar bonus. I would bet my house that he will not be in D.C. by the NFL Draft.

Where are some possibly locations for McNabb if Washington cuts him this off-season. The logical destination would be the Arizona Cardinals. Michael Wilbon reported last season that McNabb has a home there and the Cardinals need anyone who would be competent. Some other destinations, pending who the teams would draft in the upcoming NFL Draft would be Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, or San Francisco 49ers. He may have to bite the bullet and take a back-up role on a team. He can clearly still be competitive as a quarterback in the NFL, but he may need to get into better shape this off-season, since that has been in issue since his lone Super Bowl appearance. If McNabb needs motivation to get in better shape, let's take a look at the quarterback that is taking his starting job away from him. Here's a photo retrospective of Rex "Sex Cannon" Grossman.

Jim Zorn Should Be Out In Washington

We have been on the anti-Zorn bandwagon since his first game as coach last season. He looked lost and I don't think he has completely found his niche in any aspect as a head coach in Washington. He was supposed to turn Jason Campbell into, well, Jim Zorn, and turn the offense into a threat. Neither has happened for the Redskins and they did the unthinkable today, they lost to the Lions.

The Detroit Lions lost in 19 straight games, but they came out playing very well, but let the Redskins back into it in the 4th quarter today. Jason Campbell had a shot at a throw in the endzone, but ended up trying the "always works and never miss" short pass and lateral play. Needless to say, the play didn't work and the Lions won the game.

If you're Daniel Snyder, there are some huge questions that need to be asked.

Is Jason Campbell your future quarterback? I don't think so. I don't think Colt Brennan is your answer either. But good news Redskins fans, you will have a high pick next year and have your pick of Sam Bradford, Colt McCoy, or even Tim Tebow.

Is Albert Haynesworth worth all of that money when you can't even sniff the playoffs? Again, I don't think so. He will earn you an extra win or two, if your offense can produce, but that isn't happening either.

Is Santana Moss and Antwan Randle-El a good #1 and #2 receiver tandem? Pick five or six teams in the NFL, now would either of these receivers be a #1 or #2 on those teams? I think they are both good #3 receivers, possible slot-receivers, but they lack size and the Steve-Smith-esque quality to just make unbelievable plays. The teams that they would be #2 receivers won are the teams that won't be winning many games this season.

Could this be the end of the road for Clinton Portis? I know this was asked last season, but he had a good 2008-09 season, when they realized that they couldn't pass the ball. Some new blood is needed on the offense on every level. The offensive line is decent, but everything else, except Chris Cooley, needs to be over-hauled. The players that will turn this offense around, aren't on this roster right now.

Finally, How much longer can you keep Jim Zorn as your head coach? This guy is useless. In my pre-season predictions, I had the Redskins firing him by Week 6. I feel pretty comfortable with my prediction, especially since they just looked bad against the Lions. You play the Buccaneers at home next week, but then you play in Carolina, where you will not win. Do you wait until after next week and see if you can beat a bad Tampa Bay team, but will probably lose? Daniel Snyder pays big money for older players, but hired an inexperienced coach. I don't get it, it should be the other way around. An experienced coach could get the most out of inexperienced players, but an inexperienced coach will get walked on by veterans. It's a horrible combo and Zorn needs to go. He will probably be a decent quarterbacks coach somewhere in this league, but he's over-matched in the NFL.

I don't it a habit to call out coaches and call for their heads, I have only done this one other time. Dusty Baker is still the coach of the Reds, so I'm currently 0-1, so we'll see if I can go .500, but I doubt that Zorn will last the season.

NFL Football Free Agency - Week 1 Recap

It's been a busy week in the NFL. The free agency period started on friday and after the first few days, a lot of activity has happened. The NFL doesn't waste any time in signing prized players, since only a portion of their contracts are guaranteed, unlike the MLB and NBA. The Redskins and Jets have already made a big splash, but will it pay off with a Super Bowl ring?

Albert Haynesworth - Haynesworth was a major reason why the Titans dominated the AFC regular season. They were a different team when he went out with an injury. The Washington Redskins offered him a $100 million dollar contract and he couldn't resist. I don't know why this deal reminds me of Dan Wilkinson, 'cause I don't see anyone really paying to see an NFL game to watch an interior lineman. The Redskins need help in other areas and they still need many pieces to compete in the loaded NFL East.

Kellen Winslow - The Browns traded Winslow to Tampa Bay for draft picks. I don't like this trade for Cleveland. If they are sold on Brady Quinn being their quarterback, he needs a pass-catching tight end to be effective. He likes to dump off short passes, like he did to John Carlson when he was at Notre Dame. I know Winslow is a problem child, but you have to think that they could work this out.

Fred Taylor - New England signed Taylor this week to a short-term contract. This reminds me of Corey Dillon's deal with the Pats. Taylor should have a similar role with New England. The backfield is a bit jumbled with Maroney and Faulk still there.

Sage Rosenfels - The Minnesota Vikings traded a fourth-round pick to the Texans for Rosenfels. I know Rosenfels gave a game away to Indianapolis early this season, but he is a proven back-up in the NFL. When he is in the game, he can rack up yardage.

Correll Buckhalter and J.J. Arrington - The Denver Broncos picked up both Buckhalter and Arrington. The Broncos don't have a number one running back and they still don't. Buckhalter has been a good fill-in for Westbrook and can catch out of the backfield. Arrington gives you a proven return-guy if they move Eddie Royal out of that role. I still see the Broncos drafting a young back in the draft.

Brandon Jones - The 49ers signed Brandon Jones for a multi-year contract. San Francisco must see something in the young receiver that the Titans looked over. The Titans lack and explosive receiver, but the Niners think Jones can fill that role. I think this signing could be a mistake.

Lito Shepherd - The Jets traded draft picks to Philadelphia for Shepherd. The Jets secondary is starting to take shape and I like what I see. Revis is a good, young talent and with Shepherd, it could be one of the best in the AFC.

Bart Scott - The Jets was busy and landed Bart Scott as their #1 target this free agency period. A lot of people thought that Ray Lewis would end up in New York, but they went with the younger, more talented linebacker. The Jets' defense will be the best in the AFC East.

Matt Cassel - Kansas City landed their franchise quarterback by trading a 2nd round draft pick for Cassel and the verteran, Mike Vrabel. Cassel with be a better long-term fit than Tyler Thigpen. "Thiggy" did cement himself as a competent back-up, in case Cassel struggles.

Brian Dawkins - The Eagles secondary is getting more and more depleted by the day. The Broncos picked up Brian Dawkins and will trot out Champ Bailey, Dre Bly, and Dawkins in their secondary. I know they are all kind of "long in the tooth," but they should play much better than last year.

Jon Kitna - The Dallas Cowboys traded their starting cornerback, Anthony Henry, to the Lions for Jon Kitna. This is probably the worst transaction since the Cowboys traded for Roy Williams. The Lions were going to cut Kitna, so I don't know why they would trade Henry for him. It saves Dallas less than $2 million dollars, so it can't be categorized as a money-saving move. I sure hope Tony Romo stays healthy or we will see the Kitna/Williams tandem once again.

Keith Brooking - Dallas signed the veteran and makes the Cowboys linebackers some of the oldest in the league. They should be adequate, but nothing to write home about.

Dan Orlovsky - The Texans needed a back-up QB, since they traded Rosenfels to the Vikings. Orlovsky did well last season, but has a lot to prove to be an adequate back-up to a fragile quarterback. The Texans need to draft a young QB in the draft as an insurance policy.