In recent articles, we’ve focused on options that the Tennessee Titans could have at their disposal as they continue to look for a new starting quarterback. this offseason.
Philadelphia’s Kevin Kolb is a young and talented signal-caller who is yearning for an opportunity to start, but the likely price-tag associated with attaining his services isn’t going to be cheap. Denver’s Kyle Orton, another possibility that we discussed, is certainly an intriguing candidate that won’t require the type of compensation that the Eagles desire in exchange for Kolb.
Today, we’ll turn our attention to Donovan McNabb; an established veteran QB who could also be available.
Donovan McNabb: Stop-gap solution
The days of Donovan McNabb being considered as any franchise’s long-term solution at QB are long gone. However, at the age of 34, McNabb is more than capable of holding down the fort for at least a year or two.
Acquiring McNabb would provide the Titans with a respected, veteran leader in the huddle and with Jeff Fisher entering a lame-duck year, that’s perhaps exactly what the franchise is looking for in their search for a 2011 starting quarterback. As for the future, the Titans could decide to spend a high draft-pick on a youngster who could be developed as the team’s signal-caller once McNabb is ready to ride off into the sunset.
The anatomy of an off-year: Donovan McNabb’s 2010 performance
The 2010 season was a rough campaign for McNabb. After being traded from one NFC East team to another during the offseason, the hopes were high that #5 could provide his new employer (The Redskins) with the QB stability they’ve lacked for ages.
Unfortunately, those aspirations failed to become a reality for McNabb and the Redskins in 2010. A rocky relationship with the Shanahans and an uneven statistical performance led to McNabb being benched in favor of the immortal Rex Grossman for the season’s final three games.
Despite having an off-year, I’m not convinced that McNabb’s days of being a solid QB in this league are over. Sure, he wasn’t a great fit for Mike Shanahan’s offense and his 15 INTs were the most he’s had in a season during his entire career. However, despite his struggles, McNabb still displayed his trademark mobility on occasions while also showing off his strong arm in the form of long completions.
In November, we witnessed up-close-and-personal one of McNabb’s better performances in the Redskins’ 19-16 overtime victory over the Titans. During the contest, McNabb completed 30 of his 50 pass attempts for 376 yards, with a TD and an INT.
I think McNabb still has a little bit left in the tank, at least enough to be a solid starter for at least another season or so.
Verdict
If the Redskins refuse to grant McNabb his release, acquiring him via trade is certainly going to require less compensation than it would take to secure the services of either Kevin Kolb or Kyle Orton. If presented with the opportunity, I’d sacrifice a 4th rounder in exchange for McNabb in a heartbeat if I were Mike Reinfeldt or Jeff Fisher.
While McNabb would serve as anything but a long-term solution at QB, the Titans could acquire one of those in this year’s draft or perhaps the next one. Meanwhile, instead of possibly reaching for a quarterback who isn’t worthy of this year’s #8 overall pick, the Titans could focus on drafting the best player available on the defensive side of the football; which is a unit that coaching and personnel-wise, is in desperate need of some reinforcements.
What’s your take, guys? Yea or Nay: Should the Tennessee Titans try to acquire Donovan McNabb?
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