ASHBURN — Kyle Shanahan not only denied the claims made by Donovan McNabb’s agent, he says the former Pro Bowl quarterback does as well.
Shanahan spoke with McNabb at Redskins Park Thursday night to discuss the statement released by McNabb’s agent, Fletcher Smith. In the statement, Smith singled out the Redskins offensive coordinator, saying, among other things, that he bad-mouthed McNabb; was responsible for benching him and that he would never play another snap for him again.
The assumption is that if the agent is saying it, the client must have the same sentiment. Shanahan called Smith’s comments “disturbing.”
| Agent’s response |
| “Donovan and I talk constantly and have done so with more frequency during this season. We are absolutely on the same page. I standby my statement and will reserve any further comments until after I have had a chance to speak, directly, with coach Shanahan.” — Fletcher N. Smith III, Blueprint Sports Group. |
| Redskins Confidential |
| Check out our blog post which includes the original statement by McNabb’s agent as well as some response from Mike Shanahan. |
“When I talked to Donovan, he said he didn’t say any of that,” Shanahan said. “I’m like, ‘Well, your agent did, which to me is you.’ He said he didn’t agree with any of that, those words didn’t come out and that he didn’t tell his agent that stuff. So all I can go off of is what Donovan tells me.
“We’ve never had a confrontation all year. We’ve never had an argument. Everything has been good, so it is really a different situation to hear that stuff, but when I clear it up with him, I’ve got to go with the reality of what two guys between us talk about.”
He also said he asked McNabb if there was anything that needed to be cleared up and the quarterback told him no.
McNabb declined comment, other than to confirm that he indeed talked to Shanahan. Coach Mike Shanahan issued a statement Thursday night in response to Smith, saying it was his decision to not only trade for McNabb but to bench him for the final three games to evaluate backup Rex Grossman. Shanahan said he has not yet talked to Smith, but that he will.
But Kyle Shanahan addressed all the claims during his weekly appearance on CSN Washington, per his contract with the Redskins. Other outlets were allowed to record the conversation.
He said Smith’s contention that he told someone at the end of the Tampa Bay game that McNabb would never play for him again is false. Smith, through a publicist, cited a FOX report as the source of that quote.
“I was with Donovan at the end of that Tampa Bay game,” Shanahan said. “We were together the whole time so I’d like to know where he got that quote.”
Shanahan also denied Smith’s claim that he ignored McNabb’s wishes to make changes in the offense, specifically to run more screens. They ran a lot of screens last week vs. Dallas.
“Ironically, Kyle decided to employ Donovan’s suggestions after he unceremoniously benched him on Sunday,” Smith said.
To which Shanahan said Friday: “That quote was entertaining. Asking Donovan about that, he nor I remember that conversation. To hear that we had a different offense for Rex is a joke. We ran six screens versus Dallas. We have ran five or six screens in every game since our bye week. I really have no idea what he’s talking about, and it’s completely inaccurate.”
Smith also claimed that there have been many leaked reports about McNabb being out of shape and not being able to grasp the offense.
“It was hard with him early on in the year,” Shanahan said. “I don’t think he was ever able to practice full speed. He had some injury problems. He missed most of preseason because he did get hurt, and when he came back he either had a quad or a hamstring, so he hasn’t been able to practice at the speed we’d like and we expect from a quarterback all year.”
But there’s no doubt that McNabb has not played as well as he has in the past. In his 13 games, he threw 14 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. More was expected when the Redskins traded for him in April, giving up a second-round pick in 2010 and a fourth-rounder in 2011.
“It’s been a work in progress all year,” Shanahan said. “We haven’t done very good all year and Donovan would be the first one to tell you that he’s struggled this year. I wanted him to play better. I’m his coach, I’m paid to do that so I’ve been coaching to try and get him to play better all year and he has at times. He’s been a little up and down, but both of us aren’t satisfied with where he’s gotten to.”
Smith could not be reached for comment.
