Donovan McNabb speaks out as Redskins tryout JaMarcus Russell

NYCBillsFan · Nov 2, 2010

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5755858&campaign=rss&source=NFLHeadlines

ASHBURN, Va. -- On Day 3 of the Washington Redskins' attempt to explain the benching of Donovan McNabb, the head coach's son gave it a try. He was doing a decent job -- until he threw in a new wrinkle that only added to the confusion.

Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said Tuesday that McNabb was told in advance of the possibility of getting pulled from the game if coaches felt the veteran quarterback was struggling.

McNabb went on the radio and immediately claimed otherwise, saying: "I didn't hear that part."

And, by the way, this just happened to be the day the Redskins decided to bring in JaMarcus Russell for a workout. The former Oakland Raiders quarterback was one of many out-of-work players getting a look from the coaching staff.

The best news for the Redskins was everyone then skidaddled out of town for an off week vacation. The five-day break is exactly what's needed to settle things down after a dizzying 72 hours of quarterback drama that began when McNabb was pulled in the final 2 minutes of Sunday's 37-25 loss to the Detroit Lions.

To recap: Mike Shanahan said immediately after Sunday's game that McNabb was yanked because backup Rex Grossman had a better understanding of the team's two-minute offense. On Monday, the coach shifted his focus, saying nagging hamstring injuries have kept McNabb from practicing at full speed and therefore created doubts as to whether the six-time Pro Bowl quarterback had the "cardiovascular endurance" to run a two-minute drill with no timeouts.

On Tuesday, Kyle Shanahan said perhaps his father's words "came off wrong." The son gave his play-by-play of how it all shook out.

"It came down to last week, when on Monday and Tuesday, because of his hamstring issues, we were deciding, that 'Hey, this guy's hurting, we know he won't take himself out. We don't think he should play. We've got to rest him up and get him better for the rest of the year," Kyle Shanahan said. "Donovan being the competitor that he is, came in and said 'I will rise to the occasion. I will play.' And he talked us into it. And we said, 'Hey, we understand, we're going to let you go. If we do feel you're struggling in the game -- which we think it's possible because you can't practice full speed -- then we'll have to go in a different direction."

But wait a minute. Both Mike Shanahan and McNabb have indicated that McNabb wasn't tipped off that he could be taken out. McNabb even said he wouldn't want to know something like that because it would be just one more thing to weigh on his mind.

McNabb, making his weekly appearance on ESPN980, was asked to respond to Kyle Shanahan's version of events.

"I didn't hear that part. ... We had a conversation of just the injuries that I have, being a little banged up," McNabb said. "Maybe getting an opportunity to rest up for the long haul. But I didn't hear the word 'benching' or anything to that effect."

Otherwise, McNabb did his best to bite his tongue and keep his sense of humor about the whole affair. When he limped into the locker room -- yes, those 33-year-old hamstrings are noticeably bothering him -- he jokingly interrupted an interview with rookie receiver Anthony Armstrong by asking: "How's your cardiovascular endurance?"

Earlier, McNabb told reporters he could have finished the game and was upset that he was pulled. He was asked about playing hurt.

"My team relies on me being there. I want to be there for my team," McNabb said. "If I can't walk, then I can't go. That's just the way I play, no matter if you're banged up or what, you've got to be in there."

McNabb declined to criticize Mike Shanahan, saying: "Coach makes his decisions."

McNabb's struggles in his first year under a new offense have been greater than expected -- he's having his worst season statistically since becoming a full-season starter in 2000 -- but he said he finds it insulting to answer questions about his work ethic.

"You can ask these guys how I work and my work ethic," McNabb said. "My work ethic has never been a question. My tempo has never been a question."

Indeed, Kyle Shanahan said McNabb has "perfect work habits."

"He's what I expected," Kyle Shanahan said. "Now, us as a whole offense, we're not playing like I expected. That starts with me. It's him. It's the other 10 guys on the field. I would like us to get better. I would like him to get better."

McNabb has seven touchdown passes, eight interceptions and a 76.0 rating -- sub-par numbers through eight games. He's also been sacked 22 times, second most in the league, and his contract expires at the end of the season.

On his radio show, McNabb said there was a "100 percent" chance he would be quarterbacking the Redskins next season, but it was really the only answer he could give.

"If I would have said 75 or 60," McNabb said, "it would have been another big story."

Russell was one of about 20 players getting a Redskins tryout.

"We'll evaluate him and everyone else out there," Kyle Shanahan said.

Russell was released by the Raiders in May, and an Alabama grand jury declined not to indict Russell last week on a felony drug possession charge related to a drink containing codeine syrup found at his home.

Russell was 7-18 in three seasons as the starting quarterback in Oakland.

"I don't think you consider anyone just based off of talent," Kyle Shanahan said after Russell's workout. "Everyone in the NFL's pretty talented. [It's] other stuff that really separates you. He is very talented, so I think he can overcome some of the stuff that he struggled with. I don't really know that personally, but if he looks like he's in good shape out here and he's working, that's all you can evaluate. Sometimes when guys do get a second opportunity, they can change their stripes."
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I know a few of you will enjoy this one.......

NYCBillsFan · Nov 2, 2010

Oooooooh, it gets better....

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81bcf50b/article/former-raiders-qb-russell-works-out-for-redskins?module=HP_headlines

Former Raiders QB Russell works out for Redskins

Former Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell worked out with the Washington Redskins on Tuesday, just three days after Donovan McNabb was benched in the closing minutes of a loss to the Detroit Lions.

Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said Russell was one of many players, including a few other quarterbacks, who were getting a look from the team.

"We'll evaluate him and everyone else out there," Shanahan said.

Former Buffalo Bills starter J.P. Losman also worked out for the Redskins Tuesday, a league source told NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora.

The Redskins routinely invite out-of-work players for workouts on Tuesdays, but the timing of the visits by Russell and Losman only added to the team's quarterback drama of the past few days.

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan replaced McNabb with backup Rex Grossman with just less than 2 minutes to play during Sunday's 37-25 loss at Detroit. Shanahan said Monday the move was made because of McNabb's "cardiovascular endurance" issues. McNabb's benching raised questions about the six-time Pro Bowl player's future with the team.

Russell, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2007 draft, was released in May after three disappointing seasons with the Raiders, for whom he had a 7-18 record as a starter. He regressed on the field, was fined for being overweight and was criticized by the coaching staff for his work ethic.

Russell weighed in at 6-foot-6 and 286 pounds and displayed a strong arm, according to La Canfora.

Last week, a Mobile County (Ala.) grand jury declined to indict him on chargers of possession of a controlled substance. Russell was arrested July 5 for possession of codeine syrup without a valid prescription.

Kyle Shanahan praised Russell's talents, but said the other factors come into consideration when evaluating a player.

"I don't think you consider anyone just based off of talent," Kyle Shanahan said. "Everyone in the NFL's pretty talented. (It's) other stuff that really separates you. He is very talented, so I think he can overcome some of the stuff that he struggled with.

"I don't really know that personally, but if he looks like he's in good shape out here and he's working, and that's all you can evaluate. Sometimes when guys do get a second opportunity, they can change their stripes."

Grossman and John Beck are the other quarterbacks on the Redskins' roster.
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Russell and Losman. I think Shanny might be losing his mind.....

Scoffaveli3 · Nov 2, 2010

If they thought Mcnabb was out of shape they better watch out for that Whale

Miamipuck · Nov 2, 2010

Write this down. Shanahan is a fucking asshole. Fuck that guy.

I heard this was all over little Shanny and Daddy siding with his little son. One thing is consistent, like him or not McNabb handles this stuff like a pro. Shanahan on the other hand, to borrow a term from WSW, can choke on a moldy horse cock.

alleycat9 · Nov 2, 2010

i bet he would have never done this to john elway. read that however you like.

NYCBillsFan · Nov 2, 2010

Scoffaveli3 said: ↑

If they thought Mcnabb was out of shape they better watch out for that Whale
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That's is the comical genius behind this episode.

Jetzz · Nov 2, 2010

I've just been trying to ignore this bullshit... lol I mean, no way in this world is a banged up Donovan McNabb not better than Rex Grossman on his best day ever. Shanahan is looking like a tool here. You don't bring this guy in to be your guy and then kick him in the balls. It's just wrong. And working out Russell??? WTF over??

Chrebet86 · Nov 2, 2010

My original thought when i heard about this was maybe that have a certain play or something where they take advantage of grossmans arm? That was the only thing that might have made sense, now 3 differant excuses in 3 days, i just dont know what they were thinking, McNabb hasnt played that bad...has he?

NDmick · Nov 2, 2010

alleycat9 said: ↑

i bet he would have never done this to john elway. read that however you like.
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Elway was exponentially better.

McNabb doesn't touch John Elway.

So I read nothing.

ace_o_spades · Nov 2, 2010

McNabb is gonna tear it up for the Vikings next year

ace_o_spades · Nov 2, 2010

alleycat9 said: ↑

i bet he would have never done this to john elway. read that however you like.
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Are you implying that Shanahan is a racist?

Miamipuck · Nov 2, 2010

ace_o_spades said: ↑

Are you implying that Shanahan is a racist?
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Not at all, just that he hates black QB's.

TheBlairThomasFumble · Nov 2, 2010

Jamarcus vs. Donovan in a 40 yd dash. Winner gets starting job.

Is Shanahan a fucking asshole or what? Mcnabb is smart to take the high road but I'm sure he'd like to punch that red faced asshole in the mouth.

Scoffaveli3 said: ↑

If they thought Mcnabb was out of shape they better watch out for that Whale
Click to expand...

IATA · Nov 2, 2010

I got shit on for weeks because I called Shanahan a PoS, and faggots were defending him.

Fuck him.

Dirty6Sanchez · Nov 2, 2010

As a Shannahan believer this is verrrry strange...

Kingfish · Nov 3, 2010

Shanahan totally mishandled the situation.
Pulling McNabb out and replacing him with Rex Grossman served no useful purpose and only created a controversy. Grossman is not the Kerry Collins type of QB who can come in off the bench and rally the team in a close game.

If Shanahan was dissatisfied with McNabb's performance, he should have quietly started several weeks ago, shopping around for another QB. He should be thinking about the long term.

Shanahan's lame excuses only made the situation worse.

GatorGar · Nov 3, 2010

I can't believe Jamarcus Russell is getting another chance. I saw him on 30 for 30 a few weeks ago and they were showing him working out. The dude is FAT.

bigcotch · Nov 3, 2010

Please oh please let the Redskins sign Randy Moss. Oh my god that would be amazing.

DOOM · Nov 3, 2010

bigcotch said: ↑

Please oh please let the Redskins sign Randy Moss. Oh my god that would be amazing.
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F@ck yeah! The Slouch and McNabba the hutt!!!

Jake · Nov 4, 2010

Has McNabb even been playing that bad? He hasn't been finding the endzone but he's also got a terrible OL, for one, and has thrown for a solid amount of yards. There's no way Rex Grossman can do anything on the field that McNabb can't. There has to be some sort of rift between the CS and McNabb.

Donovan McNabb speaks out as Redskins tryout JaMarcus Russell

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