McNabb's agent blasts coach; Shanahan responds
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
McNabb's agent blasts coach; Shanahan responds
We interrupt coverage of the latest Eagles news from NovaCare withthe next step in the disintegration of Donovan McNabb's relationship with the Washington Redskins.
You know all the background and the continued back and forth. Honestly, there is not much more to say than let the following statement from McNabb's agent Fletcher Smith provide the latest salvo.
I think it is important to clarify some misinterpretations following Donovan comments made earlier this week on his radio show.
Donovan did say that “he didn’t want to go anywhere” and that he “enjoyed himself” in the Washington DC area. He and his family truly enjoy living in the Washington, DC, area and are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support the fans have shown him this year. He stated that he wishes to stay in Washington because he came to complete a task - and that task has not yet been accomplished.
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.
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.
I believe there is tension between Donovan and Kyle that's rooted in the fact that Donovan has suggested modifications to Kyle's offense based on intricacies Donovan has learned in his NFL career. For example, Donovan has asked all year that the team run more screen passes to help manage the pass rush more effectively. Ironically, Kyle decided to employ Donovan's suggestions after he unceremoniously benched him on Sunday.
After Donovan quickly led the Redskins down the field and scored what appeared to be the game saving drive against Tampa Bay, Kyle was quoted as saying “He’ll (McNabb) never take another snap for me again.” Remember that statement came after Donovan led the Redskins on one of their best drives of the entire season.
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.
Every week he went out there in solidarity with his teammates with one goal: to win as much as possible for the fans in this town who deserve a championship caliber team.
Make no mistake, this has been a difficult season for Donovan. Some may say that he has had a down year....that is true specifically because of the high standards that he has set as an elite NFL quarterback in his previous 11 seasons.
Donovan has maintained a high level of professionalism on and off the field. He is determined to continue his relentless commitment to win and looks forward to the opportunity wherever that may be!
Fletcher Smith III
President
Blueprint Sports Group
Later Friday, Mike Shanahan responded to Fletcher Smith's statement with the following press release of his own:
“As I stated earlier, when I traded for Donovan McNabb I had hoped that he would lead us to the playoffs. No one wanted him to be more successful than me. When the team was 5-8 and mathematically out of the playoffs, I made the decision to evaluate our other two quarterbacks. This was not personal, but strictly professional. The decision was made in the best interest of the Washington Redskins and I stand by my decision. I will attempt to talk to Fletcher Smith directly to clear up every one of his misconceptions.”
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This is beyond pathetic
This is a crazy situation. Andy Reid once again proves to be one of the best coaches in the NFL by getting rid of McNabb but McNabb is a joke. He wanted to go to the Redskins and they are a team filled with drama, losing and lack of talented players. McNabb is a bigger Joke because he continues to say he wants to be there Next Year and Shanahan would welcome back as a backup. It's Funny How McNabb thought Philly was Bad but his career has went down the drain pipe with the Washington Redskins. Wonder what he will be thinking when the Eagles are in the playoffs and he is on the couch watching it from home.— briandawkins20
The combination of McNabb having to learn new system, playing with what is clearly a far less talented group of receivers, washed up tailbacks,behind an o-line that is one of the worst in the league, and Shanahan and his offspring are not the coaches everybody thought they were. McNabb could really help a team like the Vikings or maybe even the, ugh, Cowboys, which would be really crazy to see. But with the weapons the cowkissers have and a much better o-line, and coaching he can manage a team to the playoffs and maybe contend for a title.- Somewhere in the middle of this muddle lies Truth....always one of the causalties in a war.— TBear
- poor wittle guy whined his way out of philly, and he gets this.
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Franchise Vick; Bring Mcnabb back as the Back-Up; Trade of release Kolb; If Kafka is not the Future, get rid of him and find a young quarterback that's capable of taking the reigns in about 3-4 years!- Bring back McNabb?Release Kolb? What did you smoke today? — pjv13
McNabb wants more screen passes because that's one of the few throws he can make reliably. I usually lay off McNabb because, despite his erratic play, I always thought he was a stand-up guy. Enough, just go to Chicago or Nashville or wherever your services are needed and move on. The Redskins are rotten from the head down, and the current ownership has destroyed a once-proud franchise.— Hame of Famer- Yea, I'm just about through with McNabb. He really needs to just stop having others do his fighting for him and just stand up on his own 2 feet. Imagine if McNabb had ever shown as much backbone as Vick has, he might still be an Eagles. Everything is everyone else's fault, yet the only constant in any of this seems to be his woefully underwhelming performances.— papabear702
- If McNabb had ever listened to Reid, I think we might already have our championship. I think it's time for McNabb to shut his mouth and let his play speak for him. If he still has it, he will get another job and he needs to just win games and stay out of the Soap Opera. He brought all of this upon himself and now he needs to live with it.
— papabear702 - And where the hell is DooDoo Fresh when you need him. I need another Air Guitar one liner from him. CMon man.— papabear702
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- enough off the stand up guy McNabb. the guy needs to grow a set. He wanted DC with visions of sticking it to the Eagles twice a year. Nice try. Actually not a nice try, you were lucky the first game and showed you true colors the second game. McNabb was a Pro Bowler because of Andy. Now look at him getting abused by his coaches and saying the equivalent of "thank you sir may I have another". Pathetic!
- This is a "for the record" sort of statement.
It serves to influence the opinions of potential teams interested in #5's services.
Let the record show that we firmly believe that Kyle Shanahan is the problem with the Skins.
Maybe a team trades for #5 at the draft.
— CouchKing
