An Eagles win over the Skins on Sunday could ultimately hinder the Redskins' franchise for years
by JimmyK on Sep 27, 2010 4:04 PM EDT
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PrintAs we all know, Sunday's matchup between the Eagles and Redskins is enormous for the Eagles for so many reasons. It's the Eagles' first divisional game, it's a chance to bury one of your division rivals (the Skins) in a 2 game hole, and put the preseason division favorites (Dallas) in a 1.5 game hole while they're on their bye. Not to mention, it's only of course the much-anticipated return of Donovan McNabb to Lincoln Financial Field in burgundy and gold.
Media attention this week will be squarely on Andy Reid and his decision to trade Donovan McNabb within the division. However, the reality after three weeks of the 2010 season is that this game means monumentally more to the Redskins' franchise than it does to the Eagles. Consider the following facts:
- Late in the 3rd quarter against Houston in Week 2, the Redskins had a 1-0 record and a 17 point lead over Houston - Things were looking good. They proceeded to blow that lead at home and followed it up with an ugly loss in St. Louis to the perennial doormat Rams.
- A loss this week would put the Redskins two games behind the division leader after only 4 weeks.
- After Philly, the Redskins face two elite opponents, followed a suddenly dangerous one... the Packers, the Colts, and the Bears.
- The Redskins are currently the oldest team in the NFL, and as usual, they won't have their full supply of draft picks in 2011 (they'll be without their 3rd and 4th round picks due to the trades to acquire McNabb and RT Jammal Brown).
- And last, but most importantly... Donovan McNabb is a free agent at the end of the season and has yet to sign a contract extension with the Redskins.
Now pretend you're Donovan McNabb:
You're on the team bus from Philly back to D.C. after another tough loss. You've been winning for the past decade, but you're now 1-3, and you've just lost the game you've undoubtedly been looking forward to for the past 7 months. On top of that, you now have to face the Packers, Colts and Bears. Your team is older than dirt, you have almost no "young impact players" and therefore your team isn't likely to get much better, your wide receivers are garbage, you have no running game, you have a shaky offensive line, and your defense has been non-existent since the 3rd quarter of Week 2.
Then you start daydreaming - "Do I look good in purple? Adrian Peterson is pretty good. I wouldn't mind throwing to Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin. I already know Brad Childress. Hmmm... Larry Fitzgerald would be fun to play with, too. I already have a house in Arizona. We would have that division on lockdown. Or maybe San Fran? They have a bunch of pieces in place. They would just need a guy like me to complete the puzzle. Who else is out there?"
Now put yourself in the position of Daniel Snyder, GM Bruce Allen, and Mike Shanahan - What exactly are you going to try to sell to Donovan McNabb as a reason he should sign a long term deal with the Redskins? Realistically, aside from money, there really isn't anything. And if McNabb's decision will come down to money, then I'm sure he and agent Fletcher Smith will be looking for a boatload of it.
Consider some of the QB deals that have been done recently. Phillip Rivers signed a 6 year deal last year for $92M. Eli Manning signed a 7 year deal last year for $107M. Tom Brady just signed a 4 year deal for $72M. Brett Favre is playing this year for $16M. Peyton Manning is almost certain to sign the largest contract in NFL history at some point this season, and Drew Brees is likely to get an eye-popping extension as well. McNabb isn't on the level of most of those guys, but I'm willing to bet that he believes he is, and if he doesn't get similar love from Snyder, then what's the motivation to get something done before he can test the free agent waters?
Losing McNabb to free agency after only one year would obviously be an absolute disaster. Maybe the Redskins will grossly overpay during the 2010 season to keep McNabb. I don't think that would shock anyone, since they've handed out so many horrible contracts in the past. Either way, it could cripple that franchise for years.
I'm reminded of the quote from Chris Cooley when asked about his reaction when he heard about "the trade":
In time, it may very well be, Chris.
All of this is moot, of course, if the Redskins go into Philly, win on Sunday, and somehow become legitimate contenders.
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I’m still amazed that McNabb didn’t sign an extension the day after he was traded. You’d think that would have been the #1 priority?
With every week that goes by, McNabb gets closer to having a chance at unrestricted free agency. Plus a chance to go reunite with Childress and take over that Viking offense where he’s got a legit chance to win a Superbowl.
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I hope he goes to Arizona
I dont want him to win a SB if it didnt happen in Philly and his chances are better in Minnesota
Rec'd em? Damn near killed em!
Don't know if I agree
the NFC West is pretty horrific and just getting into the playoffs is a challenge in the NFC North.
Agreed...
I have a feeling if he doesn’t sign an extension before the season is over he is off to Minny.
You’re right if he doesn’t sart producing he will end up looking for a job. No doubt someone will pick him up but it still will look like Westbrook at the end of last year. Sorry to see that happening to him though. It was bad enough with Westbrook.
Phillies in the World Series, Flyers in the Stanley Cup, now all we need is the Philadelphia Eagles in the Superbowl. Arlington, Texas 2011...
by STRAIGHTOYOURFACE on Sep 27, 2010 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree. Nothing like Westbrook. McNabb will be in major demand even if he has a so-so year this year.
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I'm not
If I was him, why would you? The Redskins have been horrible for a decade. Do they really look like they might get better? He went there because it was the best of the teams that were offering picks. But I wouldn’t doubt he was thinking about next year, and the ton of teams that will need QBs, and there are a few potential SB contenders.
Phillies- Magic number is 1
Eagles- 1st place in the division!
It makes sense that McNabb didn't sign
That’s good agent work by Fletcher Smith. Not so good GM work by Bruce Allen.
I’m still amazed that McNabb didn’t sign an extension the day after he was traded. You’d think that would have been the #1 priority?
I believe McN would have been amenable to a long-term deal sometime in the offseason when the Shanahan aura had optimism on high, and it seemed like the Redskins were being frugal maybe by not doing it. Trying to see how much he had left and now it might backfire on them. But in reality we never know who did what and why … Both sides are always saying they want to get it done. I agree that if the Skins are meh, having an opportunity to get out of there looks better and better to McNabb the closer it gets.
Secretary of State for BGN aka "Most diplomatic man on this site," as appointed by Talon Talent
Still waiting for the Eagles to Bring It Home For Jerome
A Very good read
I’m still surprised they haven’t signed him yet
Would they franchise him?
Let the beasting begin.
by TransplantedFan on Sep 27, 2010 4:13 PM EDT reply actions
I don't have an exact figure for next year
but last year’s Franchise Tag number was $14,651,000 for QBs, but you can only expect it to go up given how much they’ve paid Brady and will pay Manning.
Doesnt Favre get close to 30M this year??
With bonuses and what not,……Im sure the Vikes would cut that in half and give it to #5
FLY #7 FLY !!!
28 million dollars is what Favre could earn this year, but
I think only 4 million of that is in bonuses: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/08/20/brett-favre-reportedly-could-earn-28-million-this-season/?ncid=edlinkusspor00000004
Zygi Wilf is gonna pay a lot for a good QB right now. He wants a new stadium, and the current deal only goes til 2011. He’s going to keep paying to put a good product on the field.
Yeh I agree man
It would shock me if he re-signed with the skins and didnt go to Minnesota
FLY #7 FLY !!!
Doesn't deserve it
Favre hasn’t been playing too well at all….I mean at least with him you can say he has Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin. I think McNabb would do well on a team like that…compared to what he has now
I really don’t think the Redskins care about how much money they spend. Also, I think the team he goes to is the Cardinals. I remember seeing at some point that his house is in the same neighborhood as Whisenhunt’s. I don’t know if thats true or not but it would make for a pretty compelling backyard bbq.
Let the beasting begin.
by TransplantedFan on Sep 27, 2010 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Speaking of Franchising...
Anyone think the Eagles might franchise Vick at the end of the year? Because it is crazy enough that they might do it.
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
Seems likely, if we still get the production we're getting out of him now.
I sure wish by early next year we’re Champs.
Why you mad?
by The One Who Wears The Crown on Sep 27, 2010 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions
If the NFL and the NFLPA can hammer out a new CBA, it remains to be seen if there will even be a franchise tag anymore.
by JimmyK on Sep 27, 2010 8:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I would have to think that if they want to get a deal done, he’d be willing to get it done with them. If there was any player that would feel indebted to any team it would be Vick to the Eagles.
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If Vick continues to have a year like he is, he will end up being a top 5 QB in the NFL. I think if he ends up in this position at the end of the year he will be in HIGH demand. His loyalty might just be to the money he will be offered.
I can only hope the Eagles will offer him a deal now and he signs. I still wanna see what Kolb can do in this league, but if Vick is for real then we need to sign him.
Phillies in the World Series, Flyers in the Stanley Cup, now all we need is the Philadelphia Eagles in the Superbowl. Arlington, Texas 2011...
by STRAIGHTOYOURFACE on Sep 28, 2010 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope he leaves the skins after the season....
Just so I can cheer him on, until playoff time (and a few regular season games). If the Eagles don’t win a SB, it would be nice if #5 got one. He deserves it as much as the Eagles do….
FLY #7 FLY !!!
I think after this year, he’ll be with Minnesota.. I heard he want to go there in the first place?
by FlyEagPhilSix45 on Sep 27, 2010 4:17 PM EDT reply actions
Minnesota with Childress or Arizona where he makes his off-season home have to be his top 2 destinations if Washington does not work out for him.
Now that's what I call high quality H2O!
by Justin F. on Sep 27, 2010 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’m sure that now he’s thinking about that possibility.. of course there’s also the possibility of no football next year but let’s not tink about that.
by FlyEagPhilSix45 on Sep 27, 2010 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm still hoping
that if the shit does, indeed, hit the fan, there is no CBA, and the owner try a lockout, the union will decertify so we still get football. Remember, the Eagles players already voted to allow the NFLPA to decertify. But that seems like a pretty naive hope to me at this point.
Brent Celek is my boy
R.I.P. JJ (7/28/09)
by Carolina Iggle on Sep 28, 2010 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions
With the way Favre is playing, I bet the Vikings kinda wish they had traded for McNabb.
by FlyEagPhilSix45 on Sep 27, 2010 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I knew
Favre wouldnt have been able to perform nearly as good as last year. But how would the vikings have known he was gonna struggle this much
I'M GONNA TRIP BALLS!!! -Frank Reynolds
They couldn't have
and I’m not giving them any sympathy. They KNEW what they could get out of him; an INT/TD roulette that could kill or cure them, and so far, they’re 1-2.
Maybe Koa Misi and Jared Odrick would be Patriots if Bill Parcells wasn't Comedic.Sans's father...
"I looked at BN once. I got banned." -the immortal words of JShufelt
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 27, 2010 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions
If he wants to win he goes to Minnesota, if he wants comfort he goes to Arizona. At this point, I think McNabb wants to try and win more than anything else. But I honestly don’t know the guy so that is totally a guess.
5-8-10...the day the Purdue Boilermakers basketball team won the 2011 NCAA Championship!!
Jimmy
this is one of the best front page stories I’ve read in a while. Nice work!
Rec'd em? Damn near killed em!
In his defense,
a second round pick for McNabb to replace Jason Campbell? I don’t know if I pass that up either.
yeah since mcnabb is lighting it up with 2 tds to his name
and a loss to STL to boot
I think I would pass that up too. I think they risked a 4th also
E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!
But just like his time here, he isn’t the reason the are 1-2. The defense is no where near as good as last year.
Phillies- Magic number is 1
Eagles- 1st place in the division!
Yesterday
they inexplicably stopped running the ball.
If you asked me what their issue was, I’d say it’s Kyle Shanahan calling the Texans’ plays with no Schaub-Johnson, and Haslett running a 3-4 with 4-3 personnel. It also sounds like if it was up to Has, Haynesworth would play more.
The Redskins seem like they’re trying to make larger points with some of their decisions … like replacing Portis with Torain, using AH sparingly, etc. Not sure I’d back it if I was a fan.
Secretary of State for BGN aka "Most diplomatic man on this site," as appointed by Talon Talent
Still waiting for the Eagles to Bring It Home For Jerome
It’s a second and conditional 4th that rises to a 3rd if he makes the pro bowl or the REdskins make the playoffs.
Given how easy it is to get into the pro bowl these days and how Skins fans love stuffing the ballot, I’d be pretty surprised if McNabb doesn’t get in.
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Eagles fans also stuffing the ballad box, don’t put it past us
"The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants"
~Thomas Jefferson
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Sep 27, 2010 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Make a statement by setting the record for most votes in history?
"The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants"
~Thomas Jefferson
by CoburnsCuddleBuddy on Sep 27, 2010 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions
this ones the winner
"Bills everywhere, trill everything, and Drake just stand for Do Right And Kill Everything..."
all those are good
Desean Jackson- Im Number 1, the real deal, The 1(0)ne to Watch.
Interview while at Cal.
I read differently
It rises to a 3rd if the Redskins get at least 9 wins…it doesn’t have to be a probowl or anything like that
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/offensive-line/details-on-redskins-potential.html
You’ll recall the Redskins owe Philadelphia either a third- or fourth-round pick as part of the Donovan McNabb trade. According to the ESPN report, Philadelphia receives the third-round pick and New Orleans the fourth if the Redskins win nine games, make the playoffs, or McNabb is selected to the Pro Bowl. If none of those things happen, the Saints receive the third-round pick and the Eagles are stuck with the fourth.
Not entirely true
In the Texans game he was the reason for their success…they ran in two Tds at the goal line. Stats don’t always tell the entire story…but their running game and defense is ranked dead last
Arizona or Minnesota
Is where I expect to see McNabb next year. Don’t sleep on SF either.
As much as we criticize the Eagles’ front office, it only takes a quick peek down I-95 to see that things could be much worse.
GO CUSE, BLUE, AND EAGLES!
This is always true
As much as we criticize the Eagles’ front office, it only takes a quick peek down I-95 to see that things could be much worse.
And if the Redskins aren’t good this year or next, as Jimmy pointed out, it could get worse fast. The Eagles are probably a good OL/secondary/backup RB draft away from being elite, meanwhile.
Secretary of State for BGN aka "Most diplomatic man on this site," as appointed by Talon Talent
Still waiting for the Eagles to Bring It Home For Jerome
Hinder, Hinder PLEASE!!! lol
Phillies in the World Series, Flyers in the Stanley Cup, now all we need is the Philadelphia Eagles in the Superbowl. Arlington, Texas 2011...
by STRAIGHTOYOURFACE on Sep 27, 2010 4:37 PM EDT reply actions
Was just discussing this over at hogshaven/MockingTheDraft. When McNabb leaves it sets Washington up for a horriffic 3-4 year run (and who thinks Shannahan has much more that that left in him). Take a look at their list of problems…
- Rex Grossman is their new starting QB
- A front office that is more likely going to not going to panic and pull a move that leaves al davis shaking his head… If I was a betting man I would say the odds of trading the 1st two picks for whoever the QB du jour is on draft day is near even money with reaching for Terrelle Pryor just slightly behind.
- Despite numerous promises about the FO changing and trying to learn from their past mistakes they have already traded away their 3rd and 4th round picks which leaves them only a 1st and a 2nd in the first 130 picks to fill NUUMEROUS holes (QB1/2, RB, WR, C, NT, CB, FS, LB) across the entire roster.
- Probably need to pick up new linebackers for 3 of the 4 positions. McIntosh is a free agent this year and how long can they count on London Fletcher?? Andre Carter is just a complete lost cause in the 34
- Brian Orakpo, Trent Williams, maybe Laron Landry and Chris Cooley… past them who would you still expect to be on this roster past next year??
- Even if Donovan does stay this team has shown they are a team built to win now that can barely stay competitive. How long do you keep Rex Grossman as your backup QB?? At some point Washington is going to have to find their own Kevin Kolb (and if Vick is resigned could Kevin Kolb be their Kevin Kolb??).
- Their once stout defense is now last in the league allowing 423 yards per game… How does Jim Haslett keep his job? If they do fire him do they stick to the 34 experiment or switch back to a 43??
- Haynesworth… Ive heard rumors that things arent working out and they MIGHT be looking to move him.
VOID!!!
by dt3 on Sep 27, 2010 4:40 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
I think they want Beck to be their Kolb
And I think Haslett will be fine if he ever gets to draft guys for his defense.
Otherwise I agree with you on pretty much everything.
I agree with Jimmy’s original post too — except Santana Moss is not garbage, but the rest are — but I would also say this is probably piling on the Redskins in the wake of their crappiest loss of the year. As bad as they looked yesterday is how good they looked for three quarters against the Texans. So they’re capable of playing well enough to beat the Eagles, IMHO …
I think I wrote this elsewhere, but I almost wish they’d beaten the Rams and come in thinking they were good. Instead, they’ll be all nose-to-the-grindstone and humbled this week in practice.
Secretary of State for BGN aka "Most diplomatic man on this site," as appointed by Talon Talent
Still waiting for the Eagles to Bring It Home For Jerome
Good Point
They see this game as a must win also because of the opponents they face after us. Their team may be horrendous defensively and running game wise…but they’ll definitely be humbled and try to give us a fight
Bit of a stretch
Its still just Week 4 and there isn’t that much of a difference between 3-1 and 1-3.
It’s like a baseball team starting out 12-28 I think.
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Agreed
Tried to find the percentage of 1-3 teams that make the playoffs, but no luck. Has to be somewhere around the teens, I’d imagine. And again, with the Packers, Colts, and Bears right around the corner, bouncing back from 1-3… Ehhhh, not ideal. They’d have to finish 9-3.
by JimmyK on Sep 27, 2010 8:23 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Which would involve a loss in FedEx Field?
No thanks.
Maybe Koa Misi and Jared Odrick would be Patriots if Bill Parcells wasn't Comedic.Sans's father...
"I looked at BN once. I got banned." -the immortal words of JShufelt
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 28, 2010 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Yea but its not like any NFC East is far ahead of the pack. Giants played terrible but there not that bad. Dallas is going to get better. Washington is probably the weakling but they always play us tough.
It definitely hurts to start 1-3 but it doesnt mean the end of the season, let alone the franchise.
In my opinion, the Giants really are that bad.
I don’t think 1-3 means the end of a season, but with a look at the rest of their schedule it definitely could get the ball rolling for a potential shitstorm that could lead to some pretty serious personnel changes. It also could mean absolutely nothing. I just think it’s more likely to have some pretty serious consequences.
Brent Celek is my boy
R.I.P. JJ (7/28/09)
by Carolina Iggle on Sep 28, 2010 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions
I'd still like it
if they smacked around Romo in Dallas…
Maybe Koa Misi and Jared Odrick would be Patriots if Bill Parcells wasn't Comedic.Sans's father...
"I looked at BN once. I got banned." -the immortal words of JShufelt
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Sep 28, 2010 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
BUT
food for thought: it’s a lot easier for the redskins to win 3 in a row than the nationals to win 25 in a row…
We really dont have ANY more gimmies on our schedule though.
Vs. Washington (They always play us tough, mcnabb motivated)
@ San Fran (Not a gimme, but our easiest game)
Vs. Atlanta (They’re good)
@ Tennessee (No easy game here either)
BYE
Vs. Indy (Peyton Manning)
@ Washington (Tough didvision road game)
Vs. Giants (Easy. But could be our annual stinker game)
@ Chicago ( Tough)
Vs. Houston (they’re good too)
@ Dallas (road division game)
@ New York (road division game)
Vs. Minny (tough)
Vs. Dallas (tough)
I'm done with the Annual Stinker game thing...
Until it happens this year, and I dont count the GB game, I’m going to believe that could be tied somewhat to McNabb’s POOR play in those games.
We’ll see
Rec'd em? Damn near killed em!
It's a big difference
Don’t let the size of the numbers fool you – 2 GB is 2 GB, and no matter the point in the season, it’s not easy to overcome.
Skins
need to do something about their defense and running game…which is bad right now. McNabb has nothing but Moss out there
When it comes to Philly QB's...
Minny is like that one friend who’s always asking how you and your girlfriend are doing but in the back of your mind you KNOW that they’re secretly waiting to bone her ;)
This should be our game
I mean let’s look at everything here. Their running game is ranked near dead last…their defense is definitely ranked dead last at 32nd…offensively they have Cooley(only Good receiver), 38 year old Joey Galloway and undrafted players among other wastes as wide receivers(except for Moss who’s decent), they have a whole new system in place offensively and defensively, Trent Williams may not be fully healthy….they mess up somehow on special teams every week…they’re a mess
Point is…if we don’t win against a dead last defense…a poor running game..and against those receivers…I’ll be really really peeved. I do think McNabb will stay however because of Shanahan…I’ve read that Shanahan might clean house again for next season and I think Shanny and Snyder will build an offense around him while he’s there
Washintons Defense is Ranked LAST???? I have to say…I’m liking this!!
Phillies in the World Series, Flyers in the Stanley Cup, now all we need is the Philadelphia Eagles in the Superbowl. Arlington, Texas 2011...
by STRAIGHTOYOURFACE on Sep 29, 2010 4:19 PM EDT reply actions
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