Can 6-time Pro Bowler create winning culture?
ASHBURN – Shortly after Donovan McNabb arrived in Washington, the bonding ensued. And the culture at Redskins Park continued to change. McNabb started going out to lunch with his new teammates. He hung around the locker room, poking fun at linemen whose bellies hung out too far — only to get ribbed for his disappearing hair.
Yes, life is good for the Redskins with their new quarterback. He’s a natural leader, they say. He draws teammates in with his upbeat personality, a smile always at the ready. It’s also about the work, which is why a group of receivers participated in McNabb’s version of Hell Week at his Arizona home.
“He’s a fun-loving guy,” Redskins receiver Santana Moss said. “I haven’t seen him down.”
The same could probably be said about the Redskins since they traded for him. And it’s not because of an aura no other quarterback has had here in a long time — maybe since Joe Theismann. It’s for one simple reason: he’s won. Not a Super Bowl mind you, but everything else. He’s a six-time Pro Bowler playing for a franchise that hasn’t produced one at quarterback since 1999 — also the last year Washington won an NFC East title. Since 1991, Washington has had only three quarterbacks finish with a passer rating of at least 86.4 in a season. McNabb has posted five such seasons in the past six years.
“We know the things he’s capable of and it puts him up on that pedestal,” center Casey Rabach said.
The success excites the Redskins; his leadership completes the package. Former Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell took the same off-field approach as McNabb. He just didn’t win. McNabb, meanwhile, is 92-49-1 as a starter. He’s had 15 fourth-quarter comebacks and 23 game-winning drives.
“It’s not hard to get guys to follow when you have that kind of track record,” running back Clinton Portis said.
But with winning comes responsibility. And that means serving as the face of a franchise. It’s a role McNabb was accustomed to for 11 seasons in Philadelphia.
“A lot of people would love to be in the position until they’re in it,” McNabb said. “They can’t handle it. But I enjoy it. I kind of thrive off of it because guys rely on you. They have that confidence that you’re going to get your job done, and they’ll do the same.
“There’s a lot that entails being a franchise quarterback as well as the face of the franchise,” he said. “I understand that. So that’s why I really take pride in what I do out here as well as when I’m off the field.”
Redskins right guard Artis Hicks, who played four seasons with McNabb in Philadelphia, said McNabb would be the one to call players-only meetings. But Hicks also says McNabb has a knack for knowing how to prod each player.
“I’d have a bad play and instead of jumping down my throat, he’d slap me on the [butt] and say, ‘Let’s pick it up,'” Hicks said. “You respect a guy like that; you have to know your guys. He’s done a great job coming in and learning the guys.”
It’s his job. Everyone knows it — and likes it.
“You’re not looking at someone that’s trying to lead this team,” tight end Chris Cooley said. “You’re looking at someone who just does it.”
