Friday, October 8, 2010

If McNabb Is Smart, He Will Not Re-Sign With Skins

McNabb says he is comfortable in Washington, likes being under Mike Shanahan, and is looking to get an extension done with the Skins. However, no extension has been made yet. Many are speculating that this is because the Redskins want to test him out to see if he is worth a long-term investment. However, just as much of it could be from McNabb's side too.

While Donovan McNabb has not been superb this season, his play has been solid and he is still among the top 10 Quarterbacks in the league. More likely top 7. He has had success so far, throwing for over 400 yards in one game and defeating his former Eagles team (although playing very subpar). However, if I were Donovan McNabb, I would use this one season to cement my reputation as a solid QB who can succeed without Andy Reid and add it to my resume for a future destination.

McNabb has stated that before he retires he would like to win a Super Bowl. For all that he has given the Eagles organization and fan-base, I know that few deserve that goal more than he in this league, and I wish the same for him (so long as it is not over the Eagles).
Is a Super Bowl ring truly realistic with the Washington Redskins for #5?
However, the sad truth is, while McNabb has greatly improved the Washington Redskins, his presence is not enough to make them a contender for the Super Bowl. As the Redskins were not able to acquire a WR to bolster their receiving corps. like Vincent Jackson, Terrell Owens, or Randy Moss, McNabb's weapons are mediocre at best. Santana Moss is a good receiver, but not great like he once was. Chris Cooley is a reliable target, but a tight end can only do so much. Other than those two, McNabb's weapons are not reliable targets at all. And with Clinton Portis at the end of his career and a porous offensive line, he truly has arguably fewer playmakers for weapons than he did in Philly. Also, what was once Washington's biggest strength, its defense, is struggling mightily this year.

The reasons to stay in DC would be that Mike Shanahan would be able to build a contender eventually. However, while that is indeed possible, can you count on that? The Redskins have so many holes on their team that it would surprise no one if not even Shanahan could resurrect the team.

No, as loyal as McNabb may feel to the Redskins, if he was serious when he stated his goal of winning a championship, he would play his heart out this season, but allow his final year on his contract run out and enter Free Agency.

Unlike before when he was traded, as an unrestricted Free Agent he would get to choose which franchise to sign with. And there are so many teams that would love to have his services. Included among these teams would be the Minnesota Vikings and the Arizona Cardinals.
With a great array of weapons in Minnesota, McNabb could be the missing piece of the puzzle, having perhaps even the likes of Randy Moss to throw to.
Minnesota would truly be a perfect fit for McNabb. As Brett Favre played phenomenally in 2009, he also showed us all that what is keeping Minnesota from being a Super Bowl contender is a playmaker at QB. We all know Favre is done after this season. Thus, Donovan would be the perfect man to take the Vikings to the promised land. The Vikings could rely on the production by Adrian Peterson to consistently move the offense. Their defense is stout enough to keep games under control. And with opposing defenses concentrating on stopping AP, McNabb can make plays by coming out of the play action, which is an area where he thrives.

Unlike Favre, McNabb would not throw interceptions and not hurt the teams offensive drives. His arm strength would take advantage of the plethora of talent in Minnesota, getting the ball to Percy Harvin, Visanthe Shiancoe, Sidney Rice, and perhaps even Randy Moss if the Vikes extend him.

Throw in former Eagles offensive coordinator Brad Childress and the Vikings and McNabb are truly a match made in heaven. A case can be made that this is an even more perfect fit than Favre is with them

The other team, the Cardinals, would not be as perfect of a fit, but McNabb's presence would do enough to allow them to again compete for the Super Bowl. The team has plenty of talent, but they also lack a playmaker at QB. Matt Leinart was a huge bust. Derek Anderson did little to fill the void. They have no one to get the ball consistently to one of the biggest playmakers in the game, Larry Fitzgerald.
With Donovan McNabb, the Cardinals would be able to get the ball consistently to perhaps the best receiver in the league
Perhaps it would be far-fetched to expect McNabb to make the Cardinals a contender once more, but he definitely would make them a playoff team and put them atop the NFC West once more.

Hence, if McNabb knew what was best for him, he would get out of DC at first opportunity and pursue a future in Minnesota or Arizona. With #5 at either team's helm (especially Minnesota), championship aspirations could very well be realized.

Also, he would be getting out of the NFC East, which would be great for the Eagles. But for himself as well, as Reid is very familiar with his weaknesses and may have exploited them on Sunday and contributed to his poor performance.

In conclusion, if McNabb were to declare himself a free agent after the 2010 season the sky is the limit for him. Who knows? With Carson Palmer's subpar play this season, perhaps the Bengals would be willing to part with him in favor of Donovan. Can you imagine that? Donovan McNabb throwing to Chad Ochocinco and his former bff Terrell Owens. Now that is a scary thought.

No comments:

Post a Comment