I’m suing the Washington Redskins for whiplash. My neck hurts from all the head snaps following the changes in direction the Redskins took over the past two weeks on quarterback Donovan McNabb.
The Redskins offered a five year $78 million contract extension, $40 million guaranteed, to a guy (McNabb) who has declining skills, trouble picking up the two-minute drill, cardio-vascular and hamstring issues, according to all we’ve heard from head coach Mike Shanahan.
McNabb said after his embarrassing benching in Detroit, that it was his style to handle his business behind closed doors, man-to-man. Whatever was said, the Redskins offered what ESPN’s NFL East blogger Mat Mosley a $78 million apology.
The New England Patriots Tom Brady signed QB Tom Brady to a four year, extension that will pay him around $18 million per year starting in 2011. That deal exceeded Eli Manning’s six-year, $97 million extension with the New York Giants.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is in the last year of his contract. He is thought to be waiting on McNabb’s deal to assess his market value for discussions with the Colts.
When the salary cap is restored next season, or whenever that happens, McNabb’s deal will be one candidate to be restructured so that the ‘Skins can bring in new talent and have it fit under the cap.
The deal makes it less likely that Washington will select a quarterback in the first round of the next draft. Rookie Sam Bradford agreed to a six-year, $78 million deal with the St. Louis Rams, $50 million guaranteed. No team could stand to have two players in the same position with similar contract amounts.
That’s a good thing in Washington’s case. GM Bruce Allen should be looking at offensive linemen or wide receiver in the first round anyway.
So the Redskins are set at quarterback for the moment, maybe. Congratulations, Donovan, on your good fortune. Go forth and win, or out-perform Jason Campbell, anyway.
The rest of us will try to figure out how the deal came about–and who in the front office made the decision.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
