[BringBackJoeT]

Originally Posted by SolidSnake84

I'm kind of dissappointed in D Mac on this one.

He has been nothing but a classy guy his whole career. Maybe a little insecure at times, but nonetheless a good guy, and a great ambassador for the NFL. He has never been a drama queen, he has never been a hold-out, or a negative locker room presence.

Asking for his release, seems to me, kind of a prima-donna thing to do. It's like saying, "hey, i played bad all season, but if they won't guarantee me a starting job next year, then i'm out of here. Why should I have to earn it or put in any effort? I'm Donovan McNabb".
I expected him to say something like "I'm dissappointed at how things worked out this year, but I was able to learn a whole lot and i can't wait to work my butt off over the off-season and come in here next year and compete for the starting job". That's what I figured he would say.

Can we really say without a doubt that Donovan is a guaranteed starter SOMEWHERE next year, after his numbers this season? Like someone else said, he is basically a bigger, more athletic Jason Campbell, who is a good guy, but just can't make the offense work.

If anything, Donovan showed this year that while he can still make the occasional big play or 2 during a game, he is an aging QB who is past his prime, and at this stage in his career he can put up mediocre, sometimes solid numbers. He will not lose the game, but when down, he cannot win the game for you. Kind of like JC.

I think Donovan is best served at this point in his career as a primary backup. Kind of like Mark Brunell has done with the Saints, and now Jets. He is a guy who can still play if needed, but his primary job is to be a mentor and good influence to young players.

I think most, if not all, would agree that it's unrealistic for McNabb to expect to be granted his request for a release, but I think it's perfectly reasonable for him to ask for it. This is a business, and he's a veteran player facing the tail end of his career, so why wouldn't he attempt to gain the maximum control over where he ends it? The Redskins have made it relatively clear that they would prefer to be without him but have made a financial commitment to him, so while his release wouldn't be the most ideal scenario for the Redskins, it's not as if there would be no benefit to the team at all. Frankly, it would be dumb for McNabb not to ask for his release.