1. The big topic today, and one that could be a building one as the season unfolds, was Donovan McNabb. Again. And this whole topic resurfaced because of national reports stating that Rex Grossman might start (or had taken more reps in practice last week, suggesting he might play vs. Tampa Bay). Were they true? Haven’t confirmed it, but just know that Chris Mortensen and Jay Glazer were the reporters and have many, many sources.
2. Coach Mike Shanahan wouldn’t say if McNabb would start, opting for coyness. At times he appeared to enjoy the sparring with the media, which asked the same question many different ways. Part of the gig. Shanahan tried to play it off as if he wanted to toy with Dallas. But it is odd that he wouldn’t come out and say McNabb was his starter. Just leads to questions going forward and Shanahan has to know that.
3. McNabb is not worried about any of this. “I can’t afford to,” he said. “If I don’t get that from the guy who makes the decisions, then I don’t focus on it. There’s been reports and sources say all throughout the last part of my career.”
4. I don’t know who the sources were on this story; I do know both reporters have been around a long time and have some excellent sources in every organization. Smoke often equals fire. That’s why McNabb’s future with Washington will remain up for debate until he’s back in training camp.
5. McNabb did say his relationship with Shanahan and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan improved after his benching in Detroit. “The communication got a lot better,” McNabb said. “We were the talk of the bye week so everyone wanted to know if it was going to get better and it did.”
6. Tight end Chris Cooley, who made a crack Monday during his paid weekly appearance on 106.7 The Fan that fans could come “watch him block.” This after he caught just two passes in the loss to Tampa. Of course, he does have 62 catches this season. “It’s frustrating to run routes and be open,” Cooley said. “But on a lot of those routes Santana made plays. As a player you want them to find ways to get you the ball and we talked about that too. But I’ve had a lot of catches. I’m not going to go back and complain to anyone about not catching balls. I might give a persuasive nudge.”
7. Cooley said it was not the plan to go away from him vs. the Bucs. He also said he likes this offense because he’s used a little more as he was in the Al Saunders system, where he’s in motion about 60 or 70 percent of the time. “I feel very confident in my ability to block guys in motion,” Cooley said. “I feel better starting routes in motion instead of in a static position. I always feel like I’m in an advantage in this offense. I don’t go into games saying, ‘I’m gonna have to do a hell of a job this week because it’s going to be tough for me. I go into games saying I have to know my stuff and do what I’m supposed to do and I’m very confident in my ability to do that.”
8. Shanahan said Hunter Smith’s inability to handle a poor snap on the botched extra point was not the reason for his release Tuesday. Rather, Smith’s hangtime and poor punting was the issue. In his last 20 punts, he only had two where he had the acceptable hangtime. The Redskins like the ball to be in the air for at least 4.3 seconds. “I told Hunter I admired the way he stepped up and blamed on himself,” Shanahan said. “It was a combination of the snap and the hold, but Hunter is the type of guy that took full responsibility for that. I said I was going to keep you just for the way you handled yourself. … It had nothing to do with the hold.”
9. I don’t doubt for a minute that Smith’s punting led to the release; it had been mediocre at best. And I don’t doubt that his age played a factor; he’s 33 and is what he is – a declining punter. But there’s a small part that wonders what would have happened had he controlled the hold.
10. Cornerback Carlos Rogers (hamstring) was limited in practice Wednesday, but Shanahan said he “looked good.” The Redskins are hopeful that he’ll play Sunday at Dallas. Place kicker Graham Gano (ribs) was able to practice, but defensive ends Kedric Golston (groin) and Phillip Daniels (stomach) were sidelined. It’s uncertain if they’ll be able to go Thursday. Safety Kareem Moore (knee), returner Brandon Banks (knee) and linebacker Lorenzo Alexander (hamstring) were limited.
11. Because this is Dallas week, here’s the quote from Brian Orakpo: “You can’t get no bigger regardless of the record. It’s all about pride; it’s all about prestige…This determines what kind of team we have and what kind of players we have on this team.”
12. Cooley is very honest about what it’s like at this time of the year. “It’s not a lot of fun to play when your ultimate goal can’t be achieved. It’s cold out here; it isn’t a lot of fun. Obviously we’re still playing for something. There’s a lot as far as building this team and I think there’s a lot of confidence as far as the players go, in us becoming better and really building to be a good team. So you look forward to that and you look forward to the future I guess.”
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