Tag: Donovan McNabb (Page 8 of 27)

Snyder shows disappointment in Haynesworth

Redskins’ owner Daniel Snyder told the Washington Post on Saturday that he’s disappointed in defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, who has yet to show up to any workouts this offseason.

“I’m disappointed he’s not here. Absolutely,” Snyder said. “We’re expecting our players to lead by example, and we’re expecting our players to understand that they’re Redskins and they need to be here.”

If I paid someone $100 million to do a job and the person didn’t bother to show up to work, I’d be disappointed too. The workouts that Haynesworth has missed are voluntary, but Snyder and the Redskins feel as though they’re moving in the right direction and it would be nice if the team’s best defender would embrace a leadership role. Haynesworth’s situation puts a damper on what should be an encouraging time in D.C., especially after the team acquired Donovan McNabb in the offseason.

McNabb apologizes to Eagle fans for not winning a Super Bowl

Donovan McNabb is sorry that he didn’t win you a Super Bowl, Eagle fans.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer:

“The things that I set out to accomplish and bring back to Philadelphia, I wasn’t able to, and I apologize, more than anything, to the people of Philadelphia, not bringing a Super Bowl to ’em, but it didn’t happen, and I look forward to trying to achieve that goal here in Washington,” McNabb said, the most explicit regret he has expressed.

Asked about his legacy, the Eagles’ all-time leading passer reiterated what he said at his introductory press conference in Washington, five weeks back. He said he hoped he would be remembered as “a guy who provided excitement, who gave them a chance to win every time he stepped out on the field, one that they had trust, knowing that I would do the right things, an most importantly, one that won ballgames.”

Some in Philadelphia feel as though McNabb is a phony. That he gives the appearance of someone who cares, but when push came to shove (especially in the playoffs with everything on the line), his dedication wasn’t there.

The quarterback will always be the most scrutinized. That’s because they make the most money, have the most responsibility and always get the ball first. They essentially have the ability to win and lose games by their play and some Eagle fans will never forgive McNabb for not winning the big one when he was on the doorstep so many times.

But the fact of the matter is that football is, and always will be, a team game. To hold one player responsible (even the quarterback) for wins and losses is asinine. It often takes a full 53-man roster and every member of the coaching staff to win Super Bowls. For whatever reason, the Eagles could never do that with McNabb under center and to think that some fans hold him responsible for the team’s failures over the years is rather humorous.

Whether his apology was sincere or a front, McNabb doesn’t owe Philadelphia anything. Players win and lose as a team.


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Westbrook to re-unite with McNabb in D.C.?

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports via his Twitter page that Brian Westbrook has a scheduled visit with the Redskins on Wednesday. As Mort notes, the Skins already have Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson, Willie Parker, Christian Okoye, Bam Morris, Jamal Anderson and the ghost of Red Grange on their roster.

The Packers and Rams are the only two teams besides the Redskins to have shown serious interest in Westbrook. Green Bay wants to upgrade the running back position behind Ryan Grant, but has yet to bring Westbrook in for a physical. St. Louis, meanwhile, did bring the veteran running back in for a physical (which he passed), but has yet to draw up a contract.

It is believed that Westbrook’s concussion problems are a thing of the past, but his left knee and arthritic ankle still provide roadblocks for him landing a new deal. The Packers and Rams’ hesitation to sign him may be an indication that teams will pass on the 30-year-old in light of his durability concerns.

Outside of re-uniting with McNabb, Westbrook makes very little sense for the Redskins. They already have a crowded backfield and who’s to say that he’d be an upgrade over Portis, Johnson or Parker anyway? We all know Mike Shanahan loves the running back-by-committee approach, but I don’t see how adding Westy to the mix helps Washington.

Even if he does land with a new team, chances are that Westbrook isn’t long for the league. He almost pursued a career in broadcasting after the Eagles parted ways with him earlier this offseason, and that still might be the best option for him in the end.


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McNabb once again takes the high road

Eagle fans can say whatever they want about Donovan McNabb – and they have. He couldn’t win the big one, he didn’t lift his play when the game was on the line, he’s a choke artist, etc. and whatever.

But one thing they can never say about McNabb is that he wasn’t a class act. Even though he’s had to deal with idiots like Terrell Owens, he’s always taken the high road no matter what the situation has been.

Following the Eagles’ trade of McNabb to the Redskins last month, current Philadelphia wideout DeSean Jackson took the opportunity to channel his inner T.O. While speaking to The Sporting News, Jackson said of the McNabb trade that, “I don’t think we lost anything, even with McNabb being gone” and that he was “very happy with the decision.”

Instead of reminding the young receiver that he played a part in Jackson’s success over the last two years, McNabb once again took the high road when responding to the comments.

From ESPN.com:

“It’s so wild when people get to talking when you’re not there, but when you’re there everybody loves you,” McNabb said.

“So I guess people will go deeper into it than I will. I’m a Redskin, no longer an Eagle. I had 11 great years and I’m moving on with my life, so whoever may say things when I’m gone, more power to them, but it’s not making you look like a bigger man.”

Maybe Jackson didn’t mean for his comments to come out the way they did. Maybe he was just trying to pump up his teammates and keep the situation positive. Either way, he gains nothing by saying what he did. His immaturity came through in his comments.

Either way, McNabb handled the situation with grace – much like he always does. He knows that saying anything won’t be beneficial to him or the Redskins, so he took the high road. One of these days, maybe he’ll finally get the respect he deserves.


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Top 10 active NFL passer rating leaders

The NFL draft is over and free agency is kind of in a lull. Mini-camps and stories about letting Pacman back into the league, JaMarcus Russell being released, or what counseling Big Ben is attending just don’t help the football jones we all have. So that’s why we’re back with a few Top 10 lists to ponder. This one for the active NFL passer ratings is good because it’s a solid indicator of who you might think about drafting for your fantasy team come August or September. And hey, we’re just a few months away!

1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (97.2)—Rodgers really emerged last season with 103.2 rating, especially once his line decided to keep him upright. He and the two guys immediately below him should win at least one ring in their careers solely because of their own talent.

2. Phillip Rivers, San Diego Chargers (95.8)—Rivers has topped 104 in QB rating the last two seasons. If you told me I could have one quarterback to win one game, I’m not sure this isn’t the guy I’d take. In fact, he IS the guy I’d take.

3. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys (95.6)—Romo cut down his interceptions drastically in 2009, but the pundits and fans in Dallas still couldn’t lay off the guy. I’m telling you, they don’t know how good they have it with Romo at QB. As a Giants fan, this is one guy I cringe when facing.

4. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts (95.2)—Always solid, but Manning needed a freakish 121.1 rating in 2004 and two more seasons after that over 100 to make up for some really bad years early in his career. Still, he’s Peyton Freaking Manning.

5. Tom Brady, New England Patriots (93.3)—Speaking of freakish, Brady’s 117.2 in 2007 kicked him up a few spots here. You know, maybe this is the guy I want in a must-win game, but then again, he’s shown to be slightly damaged goods since the 2008 opener.

6. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (91.9)—Brees finally won that elusive ring in 2009, and he also led the NFL with a 109.6 QB rating as well as a ridiculous 70.6 completion percentage. Yeah, I’d say he earned that ring.

7. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (91.7)—A great quarterback that sadly has so much baggage, he has the Steelers and their fans wondering if he’s worth it. The two Super Bowl wins surely don’t hurt, but has Ben peaked?

8. Matt Schaub, Houston Texans (91.3)—Finally healthy a full season, this guy was fantasy gold in 2009. Look for his QB rating number to continue climbing—well, assuming he still has Andre Johnson to throw to.

9. Chad Pennington, Miami Dolphins (90.1)—He hasn’t quite matched his 104.2 mark in 2002, but Pennington was always an underrated QB. And kind of still is. I mean, this guy is still a backup? I can think of at least three teams he’d be starting for.

10. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals (87.9)—He hasn’t reached 90 in QB rating since 2006, but it’s not often you hear anyone say a bad thing about Mr. Palmer.

Notable omissions: Not on this list are Donovan McNabb, Brett Favre, Eli Manning and Matt Hasselbeck. Okay, really, just the first two are surprising, but then again, maybe not so surprising.

Source: Pro Football Reference

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