1. Wristbandgate. Or whatever you want to call it. Whether or not Donovan McNabb refused to wear the wristband, there’s no doubt that this is a messy divorce. Anyone wondering why McNabb couldn’t return for this season has to have stopped wondering by now, right? Also, regardless of whether or not he wouldn’t wear one, there’s little doubt around the league that McNabb struggled to pick up this offense to the coaches liking. In August, maybe midway through camp, I’d talked to two NFL sources who mentioned this. Now, it was his first camp with a new team, but to them there was a difference between being new in an offense and not picking it up. In their minds, McNabb wasn’t picking it up at the pace the organization wanted. That’s why I’m not sure how much this story hurts any trade value. It was low to begin with (fourth or fifth round at best); teams knew if he came to them late it could take him a little while to pick up their offense. With an abbreviated training camp it’ll be harder.
2. By the way, there’s many reasons for people on both sides to, um, not tell the truth on this one. The Redskins want to keep his trade value up; McNabb’s side doesn’t want him painted a certain way. Sort of diminishes his monetary value to other teams, doesn’t it? Teammates don’t have that same agenda, however. And don’t dismiss the fact that some people not at Redskins Park all the time have access to players or coaches that the media does not, simply because they might have a business relationship, might be drinking buddies or might just be friends. End result: The truth can come out in many ways and from many different sources.
3. All this does is make you wonder why the Redskins traded for McNabb in the first place. Can’t imagine the Eagles are surprised by much of what happened here. What I’ve never understood is why trade for a guy who has a reputation for being one way and then expecting him to be another? That’s not a knock on McNabb; the Eagles found a way to win pretty well with him. But the scouting report on him – good and bad – is what it is; so you either accept it or you look elsewhere. Without giving up two draft picks.
4. If the Redskins didn’t think McNabb picked up the offense fast enough, then do you really think they’d want Vince Young to run the show? Earlier this week one NFL source said he would be “shocked” if the Redskins landed him. Coming out of college, Young scared some teams because they weren’t sure of his ability to learn a complex offense. A 6 on the Wonderlic didn’t help that notion (followed by a 14 on a second try). Some teams didn’t like his accuracy or his mechanics. Now, the Redskins would be getting rid of one QB they felt didn’t learn the offense fast enough … and whose mechanics/accuracy they weren’t thrilled with … to land someone with the same characteristics?
But Young , only 27, has won in this league, is mobile and has a strong arm. Maybe the only way you bring him in you must give him a short-term contract and make it clear that he’s a backup. See if he can learn the offense and if not, let him go. No harm, no foul. The problem, though, is that once he’s on the roster the minute the starting QB makes a bad throw, fans (and maybe a certain owner) will clamor for Young. And the circus will return to Redskins Park. So he has little chance of being a backup under the radar, which is what he needs to be for a couple years.
5. The other issue, the NFL source said, is that when Young came out nobody questioned his work ethic, poise or accountability. Now, all are in question. Never a good sign when something that wasn’t a flaw coming out of college becomes one in the NFL. The book on him, the source said, is that Young can’t handle pressure (not the sort in the pocket, but the pressure associated with being a big-time QB in the NFL – the criticisms, the occasional benchings). Mental toughness is at the top of the list for many GMs when it comes to QB play. If a guy is perceived as being questionable in this area they’ll cross him off. There is not a unanimous opinion on Young; there’s enough good to tempt someone. If Brady Quinn is on a roster (yes, you can fill in your own name here), then Young will be too. His story is not fully written yet.
