Mcnabb appears to be done and he is the reason for this loss

[mooby]

You know, we can't just put this loss on our offense today. It was a total team loss. Banks made big plays today, and was probably our key standout on the entire roster. But that's not enough. Their special teams made plays too. Their special teams gave them good field position too, and the defense didn't step up and make enough plays to keep them out of the end zone. We could be looking at a different story if Carlos Rogers can get his hand in there on Megatron's 3rd td catch and poke that ball out.

Now granted a fair share of the blame needs to go to the offense, but the majority of the offensive blame goes to the line. I mean really, does anybody on this entire board think Kory Lichtensteiger, Casey Rabach, Artis Hicks, or Stephon Heyer (I'm excluding Brown because Heyer played the majority of series today and Brown still isn't 100% from his offseason injuries) would be quality starters on a different offensive line? I don't think any of them should be starting, and it's painfully obvious if you send 2 rushers at Stephon Heyer one of them will get a clean shot at McNabb.

If you are going to win in this league, you need an offensive line. End of story. I don't think anybody can argue otherwise. Has any team won a Super Bowl when their offensive line can't even give a qb enough time to execute a 5 step drop?

I do think K.Shanny needs to adjust this offense to fit McNabb better. We can't block, so it's natural we either keep more guys in to block, or we start getting the ball out quicker. But getting the ball out quicker won't work if your timing isn't down, and that's one of those things we need to work on in our bye week.

As for McNabb being benched, obviously it was a gut move. To be honest, when my friend asked me if I had confidence that McNabb could lead the 'Skins down the field in the last 2 minutes to score the game winning touchdown, I didn't, and I probably still don't. But I have even less confidence in Rex Grossman to do so, and McNabb, while not playing lights out, still gives us the best chance to win. So we have to live and die by him.

There's no short fix this season. Our offensive line is bad not including Trent Williams, and for everybody on this board wondering where Dockery is, if the coaches believe he's too slow and not the guard they need that fits their system, well we aren't going to see him again, regardless of how bad Lichtensteiger plays. Dockery is obviously bigger and more talented than Lichtensteiger, but if he is a bad fit for our system, he won't get pt, barring injury.

There is a lot of areas on this team that need work. 12thman had it right when he said Shanny has largely been winning games this season by a combination of smoke and mirrors, and getting great performances by individual players. There are some areas where we aren't talented enough to consistently play great (I'm looking at you offensive line), and today we just had a combination of guys that didn't play good football.

We go into the bye week with more questions than answers, and one of those is this unneeded qb controversy because McNabb got benched. It's not even debatable anymore after Shanny has already said McNabb is still the starter. That needs to be squashed because I don't know how someone can believe that Rex Grossman (he of 30 career touchdowns) and John Beck would be superior alternatives to McNabb. You don't think this coaching staff evaluates players? I know if either of those guys played consistently better than McNabb in practice against the 1st team d, McNabb wouldn't be starting.

Things aren't as bad as they seem. This team is 4-4 right now, and I feel we'll probably have a record somewhere like that in the 2nd half of the season, unless our offensive line learns how to block, and McNabb starts clicking with our receivers. At least it's not last year, when losing to Detroit set the precursor to our 4-12 season.

[GusFrerotte]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

The fact is Shanahan has been doing it with smoke and mirrors all season long. When it worked, it appeared as though we had some sleepers [on the roster] who might be keepers. When it didn't, particularly along the offensive line and at wide receiver, those deficiencies were glaring and obvious.

This Redskins team have one legitimate starting caliber lineman along the offensive front, and that's Trent Williams. The rest of the bums are probably back-ups on most, if not all, NFL rosters. Every single one of them.

From a fan's perspective, the question is has Shanahan and Co. done everything in their power to put this team in the best position to compete and win? On most days, the answer is probably yes. But there have been some head scratchers in terms of personnel decisions along the way: The Haynesworth love hate game. Devin Thomas, if not a bona-fide threat, certainly a physical talent being released in favor of a cadre of training camp rejects. Then benching and de-activating Derrick Dockery in favor of Lichensteiger (or whatever the hell is name is), for what appears to be Dockery either not grasping or fitting the system properly. Sure Derrick Dockery is no Pro-Bowler but, really, you don't even suit up Dockery for the game as you watch the Lions pin McNabb to the turf every other play? The coaches obviously knows what's best, but have some of these moves and decisions come at the expense of fielding the best 53? Truth is we may never really know the answer to that question, but it's a question that must be asked nonetheless.

Thus far this season has come down to some gutsy performances by a very inconsistent, and at times struggling, Donovan McNabb and a handful of all star, individual performances. In other words, the coaching staff, while dramitically better than last year's version, has rarely outcoached the other side this year. It's been all left up to the talent on the field.

That is why I didn't think the newbie poster was so whack with questioning the Shanny's coaching. You don't have to know the people personally, to question their job performance. To be fair to the SHanny's though, this is just a case of trying to fit square pegs into round holes. You don't have linemen that are used to or fit the bill for the new blocking schemes and since you really can't get rid of an entire line roster in one season you have to make due with what you have. That is what the best coaches do, they can tinker with the system to fit the talent they have. Yeah our line is a bunch of bums, but you have to find a way to make it work at least for the 2010 season, til you can get a few more linemen in that fit your blocking scheme. This it is my way(system) or the higway crap doesn't work all too well if your talent pool just isn't built for it. Just ask Rich Rod at U of M. He has loads of talent, but his system has created a one man offense. Don't even get me going on the Wolverine D!!!!!!!!!

[GhettoDogAllStars]

17/30, 210 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 45 rush yards, and we scored 2 fewer points than our highest total of the season (27), but people still want to blame McNabb.

I know stats don't tell the whole story, but give me a break -- we scored 25 points under the most awful conditions WITH McNabb running the offense. We scored more points than 16 other teams that played today, and our 25 points would have been enough to win 6 of the 11 other games that were played today. Take it for what it's worth.

[Pocket$ $traight]

Until they get rid of the human turnstile, aka Casey Rabach, I don't know if we can blame any QB. I am ready to say that Rabach does not belong in the league and I would say the biggest offeason ? of this administration was extending him.

I have been pretty hard on Heyer, but at least he holds his own here and there. Rabach is p a t h e t i c.

[mike340]

Originally Posted by irish

I have heard more than once that DM is having trouble picking up this new scheme. I have also heard that Shanny is surprised how slow DM is at picking it up.

It's really not hard to get at all.

1) Get the ball from Rabach
2) Wait for him to get off your foot.
3) Run for your life
4) Throw to a receiver (Not necessary if you run for 35 yds)

I would have pulled KYLE after the long pass on 2nd and (about) 10 on the second-to-last drive. Horrible playcall. You have to leave a reasonable distance on third down so they don't bring the house. A pass underneath would have been a much better call.

I was pissed that they put in Grossman before seeing the result of the play. Afterwards, .....#!?&%$*))%^

[Chief X_Phackter]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Not really words of encouragement for McNabb when Shanahan says Grossman understands the offense better, is better In the 2 minute and gave the team a better chance to win. Still think McNabb starts though

Yeah, what is that?

If Grossman understands the offense better, is better in the two minute offense and gives the team a better chance to win...how do you say that in public and still go with McNabb?

I'm sure McNabb is still the starter, assuming he still wants to, but I just don't understand it at all.

Someone help me out.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by GhettoDogAllStars

17/30, 210 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 45 rush yards, and we scored 2 fewer points than our highest total of the season (27), but people still want to blame McNabb.

I know stats don't tell the whole story, but give me a break -- we scored 25 points under the most awful conditions WITH McNabb running the offense. We scored more points than 16 other teams that played today, and our 25 points would have been enough to win 6 of the 11 other games that were played today. Take it for what it's worth.

Not that I support the benching of McNabb but our offense only scored 19 points today. The other 6 came from Banks. On top of that last week we only managed 10 points though it should have been 13 (still way below what the numbers we should be putting up). Red Zone offense and 3rd down conversions is in need of a huge overhaul. And before you blame the receivers remember we have two guys playing at a pro bowl level. Thats two more then a lot of teams out there.

[12thMan]

I'm really starting to dislike Shanahan. Well, I his pressers rub me the wrong the way. Why would an NFL coach stand up there and feed us a bunch of bullsh*t about Rex knowing the two minute drill better!? C'mon man, I didn't fall off the turnip truck yesterday! Just say that Mac was have a bad day, he was throwing a stinker, and you wanted to jump start the team. Damn, why is that so damn hard!

They're calling Shanny, Zornahan on the radio this morning!

[Chief X_Phackter]

Agree, that is ridiculous.

[KLHJ2]

This is why I got to stay away from gameday threads, all gloom and doom and some of the the most negative knee jerk reactions. Sometimes I think that the guys that post on here are the same people that walk around the city wearing signs that read "The End is Near".

As far as McNabb is concerned I disagree with his benching. He made many big plays despite getting planted every time he dropped back. That D-line was just too much for us to handle. Grossman may understand the 2 minute drill a bit better but behind that line there was no way that the execution was going to be there.

As far as the game overall. Detroit is an up an comming team, they outplayed us and the better team won. If they can get that ground game going and with a little luck they can have a winning season.

[Chief X_Phackter]

Right.

McNabb isn't done (he will be soon if that O-line doesn't get it together)

and...

He isn't the reason for the loss.

The thread title is knee-jerkish. The benching of McNabb in that scenario is almost like the swinging gate call...almost. Didn't make much sense at all, and after all the explanations it still doesn't.

[44ever]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

I'm really starting to dislike Shanahan. Well, I his pressers rub me the wrong the way. Why would an NFL coach stand up there and feed us a bunch of bullsh*t about Rex knowing the two minute drill better!? C'mon man, I didn't fall off the turnip truck yesterday! Just say that Mac was have a bad day, he was throwing a stinker, and you wanted to jump start the team. Damn, why is that so damn hard!

They're calling Shanny, Zornahan on the radio this morning!

Best post in the thread bro! And I am feeling the same way. Im sure McNabb is also starting to lose his confidence in Shanny. Between putting McNabb and AH on the bench, he has shown he can cut off his nose to spite his face.

He can't scare these guys into playing better foootball. Are we a work in progress or did Shanny actually think he is the saviour and would bring instant perfection?

Benching McNabb was a big mistake!!!! for many reasons. Everyone is confused over this decision.

[Big C]

shannahan is pissing me off too. it would have been one thing to go into the bye week at 4-4, i can tolerate that. but now we have this bullshit controversy going on about mcnabb, hes probably divided the locker room somewhat and caused all sorts of problems within the team. unecessary. that is unacceptable. this situation makes me feel bad for mcnabb and i think that the players and many fans (myself included) will support him even more and rally around him. hell, maybe that was shannahan's goal all along, to motivate. and if it was, i still hate it. i want donovan here next year.

[KLHJ2]

Speaking of Shanny he did 4 things yesterday that pissed me off which broke my own coaching philosophies. I swear I was cussing at the screen when he did each of these. This is not a hindsight thing.

1 & 2. Never chase points trying to go for a 2 point conversion when in the lead. Points become valuable. Going for 2 to force overtime is OK but chasing points when in the lead is silly. Kicking the extra point it is almost always guarenteed. Being up by 6 is better than being up by 5.

3. There was still more than 2 minutes left on the clock and we still had 2 time outs. Don't go for it on 4th and long deep in our own territory. Punt the ball and give your defense and special teams an opportunity to get you the ball back with some better field position.

4. Don't pull your top offensive weapon with the game on the line.

[Dogtag]

Pulling McNabb for Grossman in the last two minutes ... that was the equivalent of the SWINGING GATE play.