The first half of the Redskins season ended not with an exclamation point, but with a huge question mark. Yes, there was the 37-25 come from ahead loss at Detroit-- a team that seemingly owns the Skins up there-- but the quarterback quandary will overshadow just about everything else during the bye week.
Replacement Rex-- most were surprised to see #8 on the field with under two minutes remaining and the Skins down six... and a fumble by Grossman on his first snap of the season was returned for a game-clinching touchdown. Coach Mike Shanahan then explained in this postgame press conference they lifted McNabb because they felt more comfortable with Grossman during the hurry-up/two-minute offense. But wait-- this would change.
Donovan and Distance-- until he was yanked from the lineup, Mr. McNabb completed 17 of 30 passes for 210 yards, but just 7 of 15 after halftime and 2 of 6 in the fourth quarter. Is that where the fatigue factor entered the mind of the coaches Shanahan?McNabb II--Electic Boogaloo-- Coach Shanahan said that McNabb wasn't completely on track with the language and tempo regarding the two-minute drill, so the logical decision was to send in turnover machine Rex Grossman? Has he not seen what this man is capable of?
Third Down and Out-- the Skins ineffectiveness in moving the chains continued... this week the ugly number was 2 for 14, and the team currently ranks 31st in the NFL at 24%. But what's not said is the amount of third and longs they get themselves into.McNabb Story, Mark III-- Monday the coach said they lifted their starting quarterback because of conditioning issues. He was around the entire spring and summer! Perhaps instead of Haynesworth they should have made their quarterbacks pass the test.
Ground Game Grounded-- with Ryan Torain sidelined for the second half with hamstring issues, the Skins running game managed just 80 yards on 19 carries. Take away Donovan McNabb's scramble for 36 yards and it's a Spurrieresque 18 carries for 44 yards.
McNabb IV, this time it's Personal-- ESPN reported Tuesday morning that the Shanahans had issues with McNabb's practice habits, particularly with the tempo at which he runs the offense. Other concerns may have been recent hamstring and quad injuries... as well as the type of Ben Franklin-type glasses McNabb wears during interview sessions.
No Case for the Defense-- the Skins allowed 30 points and 191 yards after intermission... perhaps this conditioning thing should include everybody.
Starting to recognize the undercarriage-- this isn't the first time McNabb has been somewhat thrown under the bus by his coach this year... after the loss in St. Louis, Shanahan credited Sam Bradford for moving the chains-- saying "that's where quarterbacks make their money". The Skins went 1-10 moving the chains that game.
Fly the Flag-- the Skins were penalized 10 times for 77 yards... increasing their total to 59 for the season (4th most in the league).
Dissecting the Division-- the Giants remain atop the NFC East at 5-2... with Philadelphia a half game ahead of the Skins at 4-3. The Eagles hold down 7th place in the conference (Tampa Bay and New Orleans the current wildcard leaders) while the Skins are 10th. And Dallas? Another embarrassing loss (35-17 to Jacksonville and it wasn't that close) means the Cowboys are 1-6 and assured of playing Thanksgiving Day in last place.
You mean there WAS baseball?-- Congratulations to San Francisco and their World Series win over Texas. But MLB needs to tighten up its postseason schedule a tiny bit-- they can't be playing WS games into November, and they can't be taking all of these off days during the early rounds. Momentum is something one feeds off of -- not bogs down.
What's a Haynesworth-- the 100 million dollar man posted four tackles and a sack...giving him a total of 11 solo stops, 2 assists and 2 sacks. Is he the second coming of Reggie White? N0--but he's not Kenneth Sims either.
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