If there is any truth to the rumors, Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb will take his talents out of Washington at the end of the season. Thank goodness. As a Redskins fan as well as a fan of Donovan the quarterback and the person, this season has been particularly hard to watch.
Donovan’s lucky. He’s only had to spend one year here. For Redskins fans, it’s been year after miserable year of watching this debacle.
Sure, Donovan has spent one year playing within a questionable offensive system and behind a struggling offensive line. Much has been debated about whether Donovan is not right for the system or if the system itself is flawed. Redskins fans have spent 10-plus years watching quarterback after quarterback play through various underperforming systems, including the most recent example of Jason Campbell, who played uneven through two coaches and two offensive systems in four years with the Redskins. He’s now a Raider.
While Donovan has encountered one year of Redskins dysfunction, Redskins fans have had front-seat access to various examples of head-scratching transactions. Instead of building from the bottom up, owner Dan Snyder has tried to cut to the head of the line with a myriad of questionable moves.
He has brought in overpaid, underperforming “stars” such as Deion Sanders, Jason Taylor, Joey Galloway, and Albert Haynesworth. Snyder also fired Marty Schottenheimer after one 8-8 season to make room for another “rock star” in Florida Gators coach Steve Spurrier. This was later followed by the Jim Zorn experiment where a doormat of a coach was installed to corral an out-of-control, undisciplined team. Under Zorn, players practiced when they wanted and played when they wanted. Zorn, of course, has the last laugh as a member of the playoff-bound Ravens coaching staff, just down the highway.
Questionable moves also were made in the front office. The Redskins likely suffered from not having a “stated” GM for years (boy, Skins fans, don’t you miss the days of Bobby Beathard and Charley Casserly?). Instead, they hired de facto general manager Vinny Cerrato who, even after his departure, many in Washington are unsure exactly what role he truly played for the Redskins.
In Philly, Donovan had consistency in Eagles coach Andy Reid. At least he knew where he stood under Coach Reid. Even after being benched by Reid after a brutal loss to the Ravens a couple of years ago, Donovan remained clear about his role with the Eagles.
Fast forward two years and welcome to Washington and the coaching tandem of Poppa and Kyle Shanahan. After benching Donovan for Rex Grossman in Week 8 against the Detroit Lions, Poppa Shanahan later created a PR nightmare for the Redskins when he tried to explain his decision to the media. Depending on which reason you believe, Donovan either did not understand the mechanics of the offense or was too out of shape to run the offense.
Donovan, if you are truly leaving, thanks for the memories. And for your sake, I hope you can quickly erase this year from your memory.
