McNabb, coaching staff create more confusion
ASHBURN – They tried to clear up the confusion. They created more. Welcome to the Redskins bye week, where drama once again reigns.
Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said the coaches indeed told quarterback Donovan McNabb that he might be benched if they determined he was physically struggling. And they talked about McNabb possibly not playing against Detroit.
But McNabb said on his weekly paid radio show on ESPN 980 that there was no discussion before the game about possibly removing him.
“We had a conversation of the injuries that I have, being a little banged up and of wanting to get an opportunity to rest up for the long haul,” McNabb said. “But I didn’t hear the word ‘benching’ or anything to that effect.”
Less than a half hour before McNabb said that, Kyle Shanahan said this: “He talked us into it. We said, ‘Hey, we understand we’re gonna let you go. But if we do feel you’re struggling in the game — we think it’s possible because when you can’t practice full speed, it’s hard to be as good as you are — but if we do see you’re struggling, we’re going to have to go in a different direction.'”
It’s another chapter in the great saga of why McNabb was removed from the game Sunday for the two-minute drill. Coach Mike Shanahan initially said it was because McNabb did not understand the terminology. A day later he said it was because McNabb had been limited in practice for more than a month because of a quadriceps injury and two hamstring injuries. And that prevented him from practicing the two-minute offense for the past five weeks.
On Monday, ESPN reported, via anonymous sources, that the Shanahans were upset with McNabb’s practice habits and his tempo in practices and games. Another ESPN report said the Redskins considered benching him after the 17-12 win over Philadelphia on Oct. 3. Considering McNabb is unsigned after this season, his stay in Washington could be brief, though he has publicly said he wants to return.
One insider in Philadelphia said his work habits were never an issue with the Eagles.
“My work ethic has never been a question,” McNabb said. “My tempo has never been a question.”
Kyle Shanahan said the reports were “definitely not true.”
“Donovan has perfect work habits,” he said. “He’s done everything I’ve asked him to do. Where it got blown out of proportion is this whole last week. It’s hard to go full speed in practice when you have two pulled hamstrings.”
Mike Shanahan said, “I am pleased with him. If I wasn’t pleased with him, I wouldn’t share it with [the media] anyhow. I would share it with Donovan.”
The issue arose again, in part, because Kyle Shanahan said he did not like the way McNabb’s situation was portrayed, with an emphasis on the phrase his dad used, “cardiovascular endurance.”
“It was because the guy has two pulled hamstrings and can’t practice at full speed for about three weeks,” he said, “not because he’s sitting around playing video games. … That was unfair to him.”
Both the quarterback and the offensive coordinator said they have a good relationship.
“I enjoy coaching him. I enjoy being around him,” Kyle Shanahan said.
