Washington Redskins: Considering the Kool-Aid During the Shanahan/McNabb Era By Diane Chesebrough

“ERA” – Definition: time; a period of time made distinctive by a significant development, feature, event, or personality.

I had to think hard about what to call the seven or so months that Donovan McNabb was the Washington Redskins starting quarterback. That time was definitely made distinctive by developments, events and personalities.

At first the word “era” may feel like an over-statement. But the more I roll it around in my head, the more I like it. Think about it – the time that McNabb was known as the starter in Washington was definitely distinctive. There were developments and events to be sure. People sometimes associate an “era” with either a large number of years or a period that took place long ago. But relativity is key and in this case, the word works.

Let me admit that it would not be accurate to use the past tense when referring to McNabb’s tenure here in Washington because technically, he is still a Washington Redskin. This may be the case still on September 11 if the NFL owners and players don’t come to an agreement in time to have a decent free agency period before the season begins. I would love to say that Donovan McNabb will be the Washington Redskins starting quarterback in 2011. In my opinion, there are so many other positions to be upgraded; having a talented veteran QB around would just make everyone’s job out at Redskins Park easier… especially if said veteran was in his second year of a complicated offensive system. But, I don’t believe that will be the case.

As a Redskins fan, the benching of McNabb last season – the way it was done and why it was done – embarrassed me. Now, without fail, every time it pops into my mind; I have to just shake my head. It’s almost involuntary. Disbelief, disillusionment and disappointment are also things I feel.

The disbelief and disillusionment result from the way that head coach Mike Shanahan handled a capable well-respected quarterback when he did not pick up a complicated offensive system as quickly as the coach wanted. Several times, watching and listening to him speak at press conferences after practices or games, I heard Shanahan say things like “It’s a tough system to learn. It’s like learning a new language. It’s going to take time.” Several times he mentioned it taking a “couple of years” to absorb the terminology.

If that is the case, why wasn’t McNabb afforded those two years necessary to learn the system before he lost his starting job? Wouldn’t those last four games have provided valuable learning towards the up-coming season?

It is logical therefore, to assume that, by Game 12 last season, Shanahan x 2 (head coach and offensive coordinator son, Kyle) had already decided McNabb was not their guy for 2011. Wow… talk about forward-thinking. It had been my initial impression that the head coach was more patient than this. Guess not.

I am disappointed in how Shanahan treated McNabb as a player and as a person. I want to be proud of my team. That starts with the players but includes the coaching staff and yes, even the owner.  I realize that football is a business but that doesn’t mean the players should not be treated with respect and dignity. McNabb indicated that he was blind-sided by being pulled from the Detroit game. We all remember the debacle of explanations from both Shanahans regarding the move.

Shanahan wants to win now. Heck… I want to win now. Everyone wants to win. And the Redskins likely will under Shanahan… eventually. He’s a good coach.  But the professional costs to the player should be considered when making moves like the ones Shanahan made regarding McNabb. It’s not as if he was having personnel problems with the QB. Not once, during or after either the benching in the last two-minutes of the Detroit Lions’ game (ahem… a loss) or after Rex Grossman was given the starting job, did McNabb do or say anything that could be construed as anything but professional.

As a Redskins fan, I get tired of the rest of the league insinuating that when athletes come to Washington they commit professional suicide. Unfortunately, McNabb could end up being a prime example of that phenomenon. While I would not insist that he is entirely blameless in what happened – wristbands notwithstanding – whatever drove the move was completely clear only in the minds of the Shanahan duo. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why but, I believe that the younger Shanahan had more to do with the decision to sit McNabb than his father admitted or than was publicized.

I was “in” along with McNabb, Santana Moss, Chris Cooley, London Fletcher and Brian Orakpo during those pumped up commercials early last season. I have always liked McNabb as a player and a person – even when he was a Philadelphia Eagle. I looked forward to his leadership and skill on the field when I learned he was coming to Washington.  I was excited about Shanahan bringing the same attributes to D.C. himself.

I drank the Kool-Aid. I always have and probably always will. But the flavor served last season was tinged with something bitter and left a taste in my mouth that I’d rather forget. Let’s hope that in this coming season, Shanahan has learned how to make it tastier.

Hail.