Donovan McNabb Agent: Shanahans Have Made This Extremely Difficult

My take is that both parties are to blame. The Shanahans have clearly made some mistakes in their handling of McNabb but Smith’s statement, which consistently notes McNabb’s past accomplishments, isn’t helping the cause. Here are a few highlights of the statement:

While Donovan’s feelings about Washington remain the same, the Shanahans - both Mike and more specifically Kyle - have made this an extremely difficult relationship to maintain. Their comments have been beyond disrespectful and unprecedented for a six-time Pro Bowl quarterback such as Donovan.

Donovan McNabb was a Pro Bowl quarterback last year. This year, though, he’s completing less passes, throwing less touchdown passes, throwing more interceptions and averaging nearly two years less per attempt. Comparing 2010 McNabb to 2009 McNabb doesn’t make any sense. The “disrespectful” part makes sense if Shanahan hasn’t been communicating with McNabb and his status on the team.

There have been many reports leaked of Donovan not being in shape and not being able to grasp Kyle’s offense. The fact is Donovan came into camp in the best shape of his career having dropped 10 pounds in the offseason. Donovan spent most of his offseason in Washington working out with the Redskins and never missed a practice. Unfortunately, it appears as though the Redskins coaching staff decided that their 12-year veteran quarterback, who flawlessly executed one of the NFL’s most complex offensive systems (in Philadelphia), is unable to grasp Kyle’s offense.

Again, he is comparing McNabb in Philadelphia to McNabb in Washington. McNabb’s ability to handle Philly’s offense -- the one he ran for a decade -- isn’t the same as his ability to understand Shanahan’s offense in year one.

Donovan is coming off a Pro Bowl season in 2009 where he threw for 3,500+ yards on 60% completions, with a TD:INT ratio of more than 2:1. He also led his team to the playoffs with an 11-5 record, and that’s what he hoped to accomplish in Washington. This year, Donovan was on pace to set the Redskins all-time passing yards mark before being benched.

Again, I’m not sure what last year has to do with this year. Also, pointing out that he was on pace to break the Redskins passing record ignores his quarterback rating which is 15 points below last year and nearly 10 below his career average. if anything, comparing 2009 McNabb with 2010 McNabb shows how far his production has fallen off.

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