Would the Washington Redskins trade quarterback Jason Campbell for one year of Donovan McNabb?
More importantly, would the Eagles swap passers with the Redskins? They might still be smarting from the 1964 fleecing of Sonny Jurgensen for Norm Snead and Claude Crabb.
The Redskins might consider the Eagles as trading partners despite being NFC East rivals. Each has something the other needs. McNabb has never been appreciated in Philadelphia despite five NFC Championship Game appearances. At 33, he still has several good years left and enough mobility to survive a rebuilding line while the Redskins draft a passer.
Campbell is a restricted free agent if the collective bargaining agreement isn’t passed, as expected. The Redskins could execute a sign-and-trade deal given no salary cap impact. The Eagles would then have a viable backup for Kevin Kolb, who still has upside.
Doesn’t Philadelphia already have a veteran backup in Michael Vick? Not for $5 million as the second of a two-year deal. Vick likely will be released after his first year back from imprisonment on dog fighting charges simply for financial reasons.
Vick didn’t play much so it’s hard in his first season back to tell if there’s any magic left in those former 1,000-yard legs. But with Washington also needing a running game, perhaps Vick is another Eagles option for the Redskins. However, it’s not a trade option given the Redskins would get Vick much cheaper as a free agent while not losing another draft pick.
No longer a political liability after animal rights advocates quickly lost interest, Vick would purely be a short-term move anyway. Given 2011 is looking increasingly as a lost season to an owner’s lockout, Vick might be a one-and-done deal for the Redskins.
So McNabb or Vick over Campbell. Would you do it? The options seem pretty small given the black hole of free agency provides nothing more than Kyle Orton or Chad Pennington.
Wait — is the Colt Brennan era over already?
Of course, the Redskins could simply roll with a rookie quarterback. Mark Sanchez fared well this season. Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan made the playoffs last year.
What would Washington have to lose with a first-year passer? Depends on how much is invested in him. If the Redskins use their fourth overall choice on Jimmy Clausen and don’t address the offensive line, it’s a wasted pick. The passer will be physically wrecked before contributing. But if Washington takes a lineman with its first-rounder and a quarterback with the second-rounder — 36th overall — then a first-year passer might work if the Redskins are fortunate enough to find a worthy arm.
Campbell is the Redskins only sure move for 2010. Otherwise, it’s time for gambling, maybe with an old foe.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com and Twitter @Snide_Remarks or e-mail [email protected].
