Redskins notes and analysis

1. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said Donovan McNabb would start at quarterback against Dallas on Sunday. This really isn’t a shocker, but with reports circulating that they were considering Rex Grossman for a start, it puts this to rest. For this week.

2.    One thing about Shanahan: he’s very effusive about his offensive players at times. In the spring, he tried to sell us on a line that included Stephon Heyer starting at left tackle. Said they didn’t need any upgrades – and this was before the draft. Point is, it seems that Shanahan is quick to praise a lot of players; heck, he even tried to sell us on the notion that Joey Galloway was helping the team when it appeared he was doing anything but.

3.    When it comes to McNabb, he rarely offers anything other than temperate praise. As for McNabb’s play in recent weeks, Shanahan said, “It’s been up and down. It was good last week. I thought he finished with a real good drive. It was one of his best drives of the year. He did some good things last week. But he and I would like to get him and the rest of the offense playing more consistently.”

4.    And as for what McNabb did well on that last drive? Shanahan said, “We threw the ball every play and he throws it. So he did a good job.”

5.    Defensive ends Kedric Golston (groin) and Phillip Daniels (abdomen) were limited Thursday and defensive coordinator Jim Haslett called them game-time decisions. Cornerback Carlos Rogers (hamstring) was limited, but the Redskins remain optimistic that he’ll play Sunday.

6.    It was quite a sight seeing players pile into their cars to drive to a local indoor facility to practice today. Just not what you’d expect to see. The Redskins did not use busses because it would have pushed their practice time back at least 90 minutes. Still, an odd sight.

7.    It also hammered home the need for an indoor facility. They were forced to practice on the turf field Wednesday because the grass fields were frozen (and the turf field hasn’t been replaced in eons).

8.    That’s why Shanahan said afterward that building an indoor facility was “a priority.” “We’ve talked about that in detail before,” Shanahan said. “You want the preparation you need to get ready for a game.”

9.    The Redskins are one of 10 teams who don’t have some sort of indoor facility. Cincinnati is the northernmost team without one; Washington is right behind.

10.    Defensive boss Jim Haslett said: “These guys are resilient. Over time you will play in these elements. The only bad thing this week is we don’t; we’ll play in ideal conditions. This is just something you have to fight through.”

11.    Chris Wilson liked it; then again, he’s from Flint, Mich. “Driving in the snow is rejuvenating. It helps the mind relax; it’s Christmas time.” But Wilson said players who hail from the south were the ones asking to be driven to the facility.

 “Perry Riley never practiced in [snow],” Wilson said. “He wanted to go throw snow ball. I hate guys like that.”

What about Maake Kemoeatu, who is from Hawaii – and also a large man.

“I wouldn’t let him drive,” Wilson said. “But he probably wouldn’t slide that far. He’d get weighted down.”