QB says he has ‘a lot’ of football left in him
ASHBURN – Two names popped up a couple times, an illustration of Mike Shanahan’s previous work with supposed old quarterbacks. They fared OK for themselves, too. John Elway won two Super Bowls after his NFL marriage to Shanahan; Steve Young won one himself with Shanahan as his coordinator.
And now enter Donovan McNabb. Another aging quarterback, one who turns 34 during this season.
“When you have a quarterback that has won, that knows how to lead,” Shanahan said, “it sets the tempo for the rest of the team. It’s not very often that you have players like that.”
That’s what the Redskins hope they now have in McNabb, a six-time Pro Bowler but also a four-time loser in NFC championship games. By way of comparison, Elway had lost three Super Bowls before Shanahan arrived.
“I feel very fortunate for this to have come about,” Shanahan said.
Whether or not it works will be decided this fall. But if nothing else, it has sent a jolt of electricity throughout the organization. Even McNabb sounds energized, despite leaving Philadelphia after 11 seasons.
“It feels like I’m 22 again,” said McNabb, who worked out at the facility before his news conference.
Which is why, when asked how much football he had left, he said: “A lot. A whole lot.”
It’ll be a major change for McNabb, even though he’ll still be in a West Coast offense. Shanahan likes to run the ball, something the Eagles did as an afterthought.
“When you have a run game that’s been as effective as his has, it sets up a lot of things,” McNabb said.
Meanwhile, the comparisons with Elway and Young wouldn’t go away, from how they stayed fit into their late 30s — McNabb is known for his workouts — and their history of tough losses until their mid-30s, as well as blocking out criticism about not being able to win the Super Bowl.
“It’s a marathon. And are you tough mentally to fight your way through it?” Shanahan said. “Donovan is very tough mentally.”
As for an extension, McNabb’s agent, Fletcher Smith, said there haven’t been any negotiations yet.
“I don’t focus on that, but I do expect to be here,” McNabb said.
Shanahan also gave quarterback Jason Campbell permission to seek a trade before the draft. He said Campbell could return as a backup, but it’s doubtful Campbell would want such a scenario.
Numerous reports say defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth had been offered in the trade to Philadelphia — and remains on the trading block. It’s clear that Shanahan, who would not confirm any trade talks, is not pleased that Haynesworth opted not to work out in Washington this offseason. Also, there’s concern over his acceptance at playing in a 3-4 front.
If they trade him, they could recoup some of their draft picks, possibly even a second-rounder where it’s conceivable they could still draft another quarterback to groom for the future. That’s why they’ve continued to host players such as Colt McCoy and will check out Sam Bradford (on the off chance he falls to them at No. 4) and Jimmy Clausen in private workouts.
But the day belonged to McNabb.
“Sometimes change is best,” McNabb said. “Sometimes you’re forced into change. … I’m a Redskin now.”
