Redskins Reconstruction: Quarterbacks

McNabb is mentally damaged goods (ego, self esteem, embarrassment).
There's no way we'll keep him.

Football is a business, feelings do not matter.

If the year is shortened or there is a lockout from training camp or even post-draft activities, any team who drafted a QB and can't work with them is already in for a lost year. Plus, there's uncertainty with FA and when it might happen and how and even so, it's a crappy FA year talent-wise at QB...one of the worst I can remember.

Teams with starter-caliber QBs already on the roster should be less-inclined to make a change. Like it or not, McNabb is still a starter in the league. He does know the playbook even if he didn't catch on quick enough last year and he's a professional...so you can bet he's been working on the playbook and not sitting on his butt like Haynesworth. He's also professional enough to say that he signed the contract, so he's going to play it out. I don't see him as the type to cry and bail on us. He wants to be on the field.

When he was benched last year, the season was already lost in terms of the playoffs. Mike Shanahan said that he was going to play bench players and evaluate talent for the next season if that happened and he did. Sure, they bumbled the process in the eyes of the media who was just digging for a new controversy since Fat Al was no longer a story...but he did what he said he would. I didn't see the problem or any handwriting on the wall that McNabb was off the team in the future.

I think it's way overblown and honestly, since this is not a normal offseason and could be a lost offseason for developing a new QB whether from FA or the draft. it would be the best route to stick with McNabb for another year. He'll be in year #2 of the system, he can't possibly decline from his disaster of 2010.

Lets use our draft picks on other, more urgent needs like both lines, possibly a WR and 3-4 LBs. We should be focusing more on helping the personnel transition to the 3-4. With a solid D and McNabb, we can win. With another 31st-ranked D and a rookie QB who couldn't work on the offense in TC, we're toast and will be wishing for another 6-10 season.

I agree the McNabb situation was blown out of proportion. I still lean towards him not being here next year, but I wouldn't completely rule out his return either.

Coach should have TOLD MCNABB first about when the benching was going to happen, but other than that bad oversight, everything went as it was planned out and already stated publicly.

Besides, McNabb wasn't going to make it 16 games last year regardless, he was limping around all season. Early in the year, I was impressed with his running, he looked better than he had for 5 years, but he got hurt. Pulling him actually points MORE to him being in the short-term plan than not, because it was protecting him.

Smith has proven he can't be a starting QB. He's had more chances than anyone else.

Please no. I'll take Rex.


In reality, I think we're keeping McNabb.

He's the west coast Jason Campbell...meaning he's had to deal with change every year...meaning I'm surprised you would so easily write him off

He's the west coast Jason Campbell...meaning he's had to deal with change every year...meaning I'm surprised you would so easily write him off

Campbell shows some upside...Smith had a great college career but has shown no ability to play at the NFL level.

JC never had a 1 TD. 11 INT season. Campbell can run, Smith is a statue. Campbell is tough, Smith is injury-prone. The only real similarity is their lack of a consistent offensive scheme.

JC = 68 TD/46 INT, 60.8 COMP%
AS = 51 TD/53 INT, 57.1 COMP%

I've given Campbell more chances because I've seen he can play. He had a great year in Oakland...better than our QBs.

Smith has looked like garbage every chance he's had. He's had a longer leash than I've ever seen, but a team will tend to do that with such a financial investment in one guy.

Football is a business, feelings do not matter.

If the year is shortened or there is a lockout from training camp or even post-draft activities, any team who drafted a QB and can't work with them is already in for a lost year. Plus, there's uncertainty with FA and when it might happen and how and even so, it's a crappy FA year talent-wise at QB...one of the worst I can remember.

Teams with starter-caliber QBs already on the roster should be less-inclined to make a change. Like it or not, McNabb is still a starter in the league. He does know the playbook even if he didn't catch on quick enough last year and he's a professional...so you can bet he's been working on the playbook and not sitting on his butt like Haynesworth. He's also professional enough to say that he signed the contract, so he's going to play it out. I don't see him as the type to cry and bail on us. He wants to be on the field.

When he was benched last year, the season was already lost in terms of the playoffs. Mike Shanahan said that he was going to play bench players and evaluate talent for the next season if that happened and he did. Sure, they bumbled the process in the eyes of the media who was just digging for a new controversy since Fat Al was no longer a story...but he did what he said he would. I didn't see the problem or any handwriting on the wall that McNabb was off the team in the future.

I think it's way overblown and honestly, since this is not a normal offseason and could be a lost offseason for developing a new QB whether from FA or the draft. it would be the best route to stick with McNabb for another year. He'll be in year #2 of the system, he can't possibly decline from his disaster of 2010.

Lets use our draft picks on other, more urgent needs like both lines, possibly a WR and 3-4 LBs. We should be focusing more on helping the personnel transition to the 3-4. With a solid D and McNabb, we can win. With another 31st-ranked D and a rookie QB who couldn't work on the offense in TC, we're toast and will be wishing for another 6-10 season.

I think you're looking at it from a short term perspective. And in that sense, sure keeping McNabb or even Grossman would help. But in a way it would be a blessing if we were able to draft a QB this year who could just sit and learn for a season without any pressure to be thrown into the fire now. In the long run, we need to improve our QB position even it means passing on a quick fix at some other position now (for example taking Phil Taylor). I'd rather be 6-10 in 2011 and 10-6 in 2012. Then 8-8 in 2011 and 6-10 in 2011.

Campbell shows some upside...Smith had a great college career but has shown no ability to play at the NFL level.

JC never had a 1 TD. 11 INT season. Campbell can run, Smith is a statue. Campbell is tough, Smith is injury-prone. The only real similarity is their lack of a consistent offensive scheme.

JC = 68 TD/46 INT, 60.8 COMP%
AS = 51 TD/53 INT, 57.1 COMP%

I've given Campbell more chances because I've seen he can play. He had a great year in Oakland...better than our QBs.

Smith has looked like garbage every chance he's had. He's had a longer leash than I've ever seen, but a team will tend to do that with such a financial investment in one guy.

Well I disagree with many of your points, but I don't want to turn this into a Campbell thread. So I'll just leave it at we disagree

You're right, if we do draft a QB, he needs to sit for the year and learn. Even so, learning under McNabb may not be a bad idea.

He HAS been to a Super Bowl and a ton of NFC Championships. Would we prefer that Rex Grossman the blooper machine teach the future leader of our team?

From a mentoring standpoint, McNabb is still the best option.


I just do not see any scenario other than financial possibly, that would make sense to part ways with McNabb. We gave up a lot to get him, we might as well give it a chance to work, if even for one year as a transition to a young QB as a long-term solution.

Given the choice I would definitely take Grossman. 3 years under his belt now in this system, he would be the better choice in the short run as a potential starter.

Ideally I would say Smith, but nothing is "ideal" about our qb situation, so I agree w/you that the 3 years Rex has in it would make him a better short-term answer. Bringing in yet another vet qb might be subtraction by addition; having a rookie learn w/a clipboard can't be as effective when the vet starter is new as well. Not to mention, it would change the chemistry of the team once again.