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

[Monkeydad]

I UNDERSTAND the reason Shanny chose Grossman over McNabb. He's more efficient in the system, been in it a year longer. McNabb IS still transitioning into this offense and his accuracy has been on and off. Earlier in the game, they showed a graphic comparing the progressions in the Philly offense and this one, they are complete polar opposites. I'm not saying I agree with it though.

However, McNabb still as the arm to get us down the field quickly. I would have rather taken a chance with Donovan.

I thought he was hurt, because that Detroit D was pounding him all day. They did the same to Rex. Neither QB would have had a chance on that last play. McNabb may have held onto the ball, but he was going down too.


As for the season, we're at 4 wins after 8 weeks. It took 16 to get 4 wins last season. We're on the right track. I expected a transition season. We'll be better in the second half I believe, but even if we finish 8-8, it would be HUGE progress and we could be optimistic for the second season.

Remember, we've changed literally EVERYTHING. It's not going to be easy.

[MTK]

I don't buy the 2 minute thing at all. One season in Houston where he played in 1 game, and we're supposed to believe he's better equipped to handle things over a guy like McNabb with his resume? Good one Shanny but I'm selling that one.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

After reading some stuff around the net, including King's MMQB, I've realized maybe we should question whether McNabb has worked hard enough in learning this offense. Is that the possible message that Shanahan sent out yesterday?

Is it possible that he's calling him out on his work ethic?

To me it really doesn't matter whether he's studying his ass off or not. He's just not consistent enough on a down to down basis. Bottom line is who trades a QB WITHIN THE DIVISION if they think he's going to come back and hurt them? Philly knew and once again we've been had on a trade. You wouldn't see Tom Brady getting traded to the Jets or Miami.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I don't buy the 2 minute thing at all. One season in Houston where he played in 1 game, and we're supposed to believe he's better equipped to handle things over a guy like McNabb with his resume? Good one Shanny but I'm selling that one.

Well, to be fair McNabb has never really been a late-game clutch kind of guy. And saying Grossman is better at a 2 minute drill doesn't necessarily mean he's better equipped to manage the entire offense. 2 minute offense is a totally separate section of the playbook that has it's own segment of practice every week. Maybe Grossman is better during that portion? I don't know.

One way or another, McNabb got straight up benched, regardless of the reason.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

After reading some stuff around the net, including King's MMQB, I've realized maybe we should question whether McNabb has worked hard enough in learning this offense. Is that the possible message that Shanahan sent out yesterday?

Is it possible that he's calling him out on his work ethic?

That's a fair question. McNabb hasn't exactly had to study his own playbook very hard for a long time. He's had a grasp on Reid's offense for years. Maybe he felt like he'd pick it up with no problem. But it's week freaking 8 and he's been a starting QB in this league for 11 years. No excuses. If he realized after week 1 or 2 that he didn't have a grasp, efforts should have been doubled immediately.

[SFREDSKIN]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

To me it really doesn't matter whether he's studying his ass off or not. He's just not consistent enough on a down to down basis. Bottom line is who trades a QB WITHIN THE DIVISION if they think he's going to come back and hurt them? Philly knew and once again we've been had on a trade. You wouldn't see Tom Brady getting traded to the Jets or Miami.

The sad part is that we could have used that 2nd rounder on a C or G, I also wanted to keep Campbell. McNabb so far has proven to be inconsistent whether it's due to learning new system, shitty OL or being washed up or all of the above. I'll give McNabb a chance to finish the season and then assess were he fits with the team or doesn't. Right now we don't have anyone who is better.

[GhettoDogAllStars]

Originally Posted by BleedBurgundy

Gotta disagree with this. Who says he's our QB for the long haul? He's played like garbage this year. He's only under contract through the end of this year. There's a very uncertain labor situation going into next year. He's 34 years old right now. Looking at all of that information, why would you declare him "here for the long haul?"

The reason is that we gave up a 2nd round pick and that he "used" to be good when he played for the Eagles. The problem with that reasoning is that you can't worry about that 2nd rounder, it's already gone and it's not coming back. Compounding the mistake by re-signing a guy who is a bad fit in this offense makes no sense at this point. You really have to look at the situation as a "what is" not a "what should/could/would be." McNabb has been a below average qb this year. That's what he is RIGHT NOW. If that changes before the end of the year, great. But if not, we'll move forward with someone new. Dude's been here 6 months, we're not committed to anyone for the "long haul" yet.

Also... we're a .500 ball club at the bye, and we've been winning in spite of our offense. The defense is handling the transition to the 3-4 better than we could have expected, especially given the lack of ideal personnel with which to run it. Special teams has been a huge improvement. Things could be much worse.

I totally believe the coaching staff and FO are using the same rationale, and personally I think it's great. I don't agree with the timing of the McNabb benching, and from my ignorant perspective I think McNabb is better than Grossman. However, although we haven't necessarily seen it yet, it seems this coaching staff and FO is willing to admit when they make a mistake, and that's nice.

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by SFREDSKIN

The sad part is that we could have used that 2nd rounder on a C or G, I also wanted to keep Campbell. McNabb so far has proven to be inconsistent whether it's due to learning new system, shitty OL or being washed up or all of the above. I'll give McNabb a chance to finish the season and then assess were he fits with the team or doesn't. Right now we don't have anyone who is better.

I'd start Grossman. I'm so over McNabb. I know he doesn't have a line but I've never seen an NFL QB so inaccurate in my life. Brady is throwing to two rookie TE's, Deion Branch, Bradon Tate, and some RB that got cut by the Jets yet he's making it happen.

[SFREDSKIN]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

I'd start Grossman. I'm so over McNabb. I know he doesn't have a line but I've never seen an NFL QB so inaccurate in my life. Brady is throwing to two rookie TE's, Deion Branch, Bradon Tate, and some RB that got cut by the Jets yet he's making it happen.

That's the difference between Brady and McNabb, one is great the other one isn't.

[takethecake]

Also Brady isn't on his ass every other play

[SolidSnake84]

I thought Donovan was a significant upgrade, but I never believed for a minute that he would be the starter any more than 2 years with his age and injury history...

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by SolidSnake84

I thought Donovan was a significant upgrade, but I never believed for a minute that he would be the starter any more than 2 years with his age and injury history...

Yeah, and to be honest, 2 years seemed like a best case scenario. He may have 3-5 years left as a quarterback in this league I'm sure, but we didn't trade a 2nd and 3rd round pick for "a guy who is a quarterback in this league."

We obviously wanted the old, classic Donovan McNabb, but 8 games in, it's clear we're never going to get that player no matter how much money you throw at him. The bigger question is, what will we have if we keep him on a franchise tender, and is he worth it?

We've got 8 games to figure it out, plus a playoff game if we can beat the Eagles out for 2nd in this division.

[T.O.Killa]

You know, this thread is stupid and should be closed. It makes as much sense as pulling McNabb in the last three minutes of the game.

[takethecake]

I think that regardless of what happens after this year, we need to keep McNabb on board. I feel like the contract negotiations taking so long are more dependent on the labor situation than McNabb's performance, but even if we draft a rookie QB next year, I think it would be good to keep him on the bench and stay with McNabb for a year or two. This is assuming his level of play remains the same for the rest of this year.

I'm hoping that this benching serves as a wake up call, and that he really does begin to work harder to understand the offense. I think that if we add another couple necessary pieces to our offensive line, and mcnabb puts some more work in, we can have a vastly improved offense with mcnabb at the helm next year.

Whenever an offense suffers, it's so easy to put all the blame on the quarterback, but to get rid of McNabb would be a mistake.

[skinsfan69]

I'm just tired of us bringing in all these older guys for draft picks...it's not just McNabb but Brown looks like it was a bad move, so there's more draft picks. When is someone going to come in here and stop trading away picks for old guys??? I was watching the Pats yesterday and the guy that was filling in for Buck said that NE has two 1st round picks, 2 2nd round picks and two 3rd round picks in next year's draft and they're playing ALL YOUNG GUYS on defense. I want someone from their front office here....Oh yeah, KC got him and they're now in 1st place in the AFC West.