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Posted at 5:04 PM ET, 12/19/2010
Jurgensen: McNabb didn't practice 100 percent
By Dan Steinberg

Enough words were uttered over about Donovan McNabb's benching since Friday to keep even a professional transcriber like myself busy for the next three or four years. But I'll pick the most interesting words I heard for now, and focus on them.

These words came from Sonny Jurgensen, and were delivered on ESPN 980's pre-game coverage. They came when Sonny was asked about the benching.

"He wasn't performing, and at practice, he'd never practice hard, and I think that had some bearing on it also," Jurgensen said. "Because Shanahan's a stickler for practice, working hard in practice so that you carry that over into the game. And he never could get him to go 100 percent in practice, and that's what he wanted. You talk to people in Philadelphia, and they say why didn't you see this coming, why are you surprised. Because the Eagles had seen it, and they traded him within the division. And so why are the people in Washington surprised?"

This didn't exactly come across as a hit campaign. Jurgensen had high praise for how McNabb handled the benching, and said he understood why McNabb would be angry. Bu still. "never could get him to go 100 percent in practice" is not a strong endorsement.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2010/12/jurgensen_mcnabb_didnt_practic.html

That's pretty damning if it's true. Though what would be equally damning is the fact that it took 15 weeks for Shanahan to make the move.

Personally, betwen this and the Haynesworth thing (assuming Sonny is correct, which I don't doubt) I've got some issues with Shanahan not being willing to pull the trigger quick enough on "problem children".

I love how Sunny knows that even though practice is closed to everyone except coaches and players. I guess Sonny knows best.

CanesSkins26 wrote:

Posted at 5:04 PM ET, 12/19/2010
Jurgensen: McNabb didn't practice 100 percent
By Dan Steinberg

Enough words were uttered over about Donovan McNabb's benching since Friday to keep even a professional transcriber like myself busy for the next three or four years. But I'll pick the most interesting words I heard for now, and focus on them.

These words came from Sonny Jurgensen, and were delivered on ESPN 980's pre-game coverage. They came when Sonny was asked about the benching.

"He wasn't performing, and at practice, he'd never practice hard, and I think that had some bearing on it also," Jurgensen said. "Because Shanahan's a stickler for practice, working hard in practice so that you carry that over into the game. And he never could get him to go 100 percent in practice, and that's what he wanted. You talk to people in Philadelphia, and they say why didn't you see this coming, why are you surprised. Because the Eagles had seen it, and they traded him within the division. And so why are the people in Washington surprised?"

This didn't exactly come across as a hit campaign. Jurgensen had high praise for how McNabb handled the benching, and said he understood why McNabb would be angry. Bu still. "never could get him to go 100 percent in practice" is not a strong endorsement.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/dcsportsbog/2010/12/jurgensen_mcnabb_didnt_practic.html

If this is true, it changes the way I look at this whole thing

I had a feeling it was more to this than just Shanny wanting to see the Q.b. position.

Look what's has happened over the past few weeks.

Haynesworth would not give 100% his butt is gone

Mcnabb might not been giving 100% percent in practice.

We need guys that will give 100%

That is what will turn this franchise back around.

All that this says is that Shanahan did not do his homework. He is fully responsible for bringing McNabb to the 'skins. He is also fully responsible for his pathetic handling of this situation.

While Sonny's statement provides color in understanding the decisions made, it DOES NOT change the fact that McNabb has been treated horribly, and with NO respect. You call him into your office as soon as the decision is made. You tell him what you are doing, and why. You offer to assist him in finding a new team, when the time is right. Whether you like him or not, McNabb has earned some consideration.

And, when you announce it, you don't do that crap spin dance that he did.

Shanahan is the anti-Gibbs in terms of how to handle player issues with class. Gibbs was all class... Shanahan: No class.

frankcal20 wrote:I love how Sunny knows that even though practice is closed to everyone except coaches and players. I guess Sonny knows best.

Why believe Sunny, frankcal20? When you have 11 years of Philly as proof of his work habits.

Countertrey wrote:While Sonny's statement provides color in understanding the decisions made, it DOES NOT change the fact that McNabb has been treated horribly, and with NO respect. You call him into your office as soon as the decision is made. You tell him what you are doing, and why. You offer to assist him in finding a new team, when the time is right. Whether you like him or not, McNabb has earned some consideration.

No he has not earned anything. He came from an enemy organization. Being a former Eagle would have been reason enough to pass on acquiring him, even if it was as a free agent. Then he comes in here and can't learn the offense, doesn't practice hard and can't get the job done on the field.

Respect is EARNED where I come from. Donovan McEagle has done NOTHING to earn my respect, nor would I believe he has done anything to earn either Mike or Kyle's respect. In fact the length of leash they gave him has reduced the respect that I have for either of them.

Early in the season there was a quote by Donavan complaining that the coaches were trying to get him to change his footwork. He said that at his age he had done enough to prove himself or something to that effect. That stuck in my mind that he didn't want to listen to the coaches on technique. This all starts to fall in to place with he didn't want to give 100%.

There were at least two short throws that Grossman made that led to first downs and more today. McNabb would have missed those easy ones.

Did you notice that Redskins not once attempted a field goal today? Last week was the final straw for Donavan. Torrain wss running like a train and they can't get touchdowns but have to settle for field goals. Grossman has 4 touchdowns and two 2pt conversions.

I hope they can either trade him or he decides to take practice and advice seriously.

Redskins_Fanatic wrote:

Countertrey wrote:While Sonny's statement provides color in understanding the decisions made, it DOES NOT change the fact that McNabb has been treated horribly, and with NO respect. You call him into your office as soon as the decision is made. You tell him what you are doing, and why. You offer to assist him in finding a new team, when the time is right. Whether you like him or not, McNabb has earned some consideration.

No he has not earned anything. He came from an enemy organization. Being a former Eagle would have been reason enough to pass on acquiring him, even if it was as a free agent. Then he comes in here and can't learn the offense, doesn't practice hard and can't get the job done on the field.

Respect is EARNED where I come from. Donovan McEagle has done NOTHING to earn my respect, nor would I believe he has done anything to earn either Mike or Kyle's respect. In fact the length of leash they gave him has reduced the respect that I have for either of them.

Since you are done, I see no reason to accept your input. There is a Cowboys Fan gloating quality to it... All in all, I see nothing here to assist in my search for insight...

Again, Mike and Kyle are fully responsible for the waste of effort, coin, and draft picks in this affair. Not McNabb. As I have pointed out many times in the past, McNabb is what he is. The Shanahans FAILED to do their homework... McNabb? He did what he does... He did what the Shanahans SHOULD HAVE KNOWN he does.

Wow RF you are on a roll man... I was excites and had hope w. Dmac.. Big disappointment as rexy showed tgis O. Can score more

SprintRightOption wrote:Early in the season there was a quote by Donavan complaining that the coaches were trying to get him to change his footwork. He said that at his age he had done enough to prove himself or something to that effect. That stuck in my mind that he didn't want to listen to the coaches on technique. This all starts to fall in to place with he didn't want to give 100%.

There were at least two short throws that Grossman made that led to first downs and more today. McNabb would have missed those easy ones.

Did you notice that Redskins not once attempted a field goal today? Last week was the final straw for Donavan. Torrain wss running like a train and they can't get touchdowns but have to settle for field goals. Grossman has 4 touchdowns and two 2pt conversions.

I hope they can either trade him or he decides to take practice and advice seriously.

This highlights another MAJOR problem with the Shanahan's handling, not only of this issue, but the Haynesworth issue, as well... They have been so clumsy, so impulsive, that they have destroyed the trade value that may have been available for either of these players. Sure, Haynesworth didn't help, but NOR DID SHANAHAN...

Intelligent management of this situation would have mitigated this, may have permitted McNabb to accept the bench as the result of "ongoing ankle injuries", and preserved his trade value. We will now, instead, either end up releasing him, OR taking a 5th or 6th rounder in trade... and then, only if there are multiple teams interested. I am sure that Shanahan has known that this was coming for at least a month... yet, there is not a clue that he, in any way, attempted to massage this to greatest team advantage. This was impulsive... and, whether it is obvious or not, it will color his relations and negotiations with players from this point forward.

cowboykillerzRED wrote:Wow RF you are on a roll man... I was excites and had hope w. Dmac.. Big disappointment as rexy showed tgis O. Can score more

In a good way or a bad way, cowboykillerz?

I didn't want McNabb from the beginning. I didn't think it was going to be that good of a deal. I couldn't care any less about the draft picks we spent on him, I just didn't think he could get the job done and I wasn't confident that he'd be a long term answer at the position. Unfortunately I was right on this one.

Countertrey wrote:....., I see no reason to accept your input.

That's fine. I could say the same thing about your input, so I'd guess we're even in that regard.

Countertrey wrote:Again, Mike and Kyle are fully responsible for the waste of effort, coin, and draft picks in this affair. Not McNabb. As I have pointed out many times in the past, McNabb is what he is. The Shanahans FAILED to do their homework... McNabb? He did what he does... He did what the Shanahans SHOULD HAVE KNOWN he does.

On that we will agree. I didn't want McNabb on the roster to begin with either. Personally, I don't care much or give much value to the draft picks they traded away for him, or his salary in this uncapped year, but the idea that we would bring in a former Eagle to run our offense does tick me off. Especially one who was so obviously DONE before we even brought him in.

Redskins_Fanatic wrote:

Countertrey wrote:....., I see no reason to accept your input.

That's fine. I could say the same thing about your input, so I'd guess we're even in that regard.

Yeah... I get that... except that I have NEVER quit on my team... EVER.

Countertrey wrote:Again, Mike and Kyle are fully responsible for the waste of effort, coin, and draft picks in this affair. Not McNabb. As I have pointed out many times in the past, McNabb is what he is. The Shanahans FAILED to do their homework... McNabb? He did what he does... He did what the Shanahans SHOULD HAVE KNOWN he does.

On that we will agree. I didn't want McNabb on the roster to begin with either. Personally, I don't care much or give much value to the draft picks they traded away for him, or his salary in this uncapped year, but the idea that we would bring in a former Eagle to run our offense does tick me off. Especially one who was so obviously DONE before we even brought him in.

What would YOU know about being done?


Oh...


Never mind...

Countertrey wrote:

Redskins_Fanatic wrote:

Countertrey wrote:....., I see no reason to accept your input.

That's fine. I could say the same thing about your input, so I'd guess we're even in that regard.

Yeah... I get that... except that I have NEVER quit on my team... EVER.

Countertrey wrote:Again, Mike and Kyle are fully responsible for the waste of effort, coin, and draft picks in this affair. Not McNabb. As I have pointed out many times in the past, McNabb is what he is. The Shanahans FAILED to do their homework... McNabb? He did what he does... He did what the Shanahans SHOULD HAVE KNOWN he does.

On that we will agree. I didn't want McNabb on the roster to begin with either. Personally, I don't care much or give much value to the draft picks they traded away for him, or his salary in this uncapped year, but the idea that we would bring in a former Eagle to run our offense does tick me off. Especially one who was so obviously DONE before we even brought him in.

What would YOU know about being done?


Oh...


Never mind...

Perhaps this?

I'd add to this but up till now Countertrey has been reading my mind. One can't take an eleven year player and expect him to be something he has never been in those eleven years. This was and is entirely on Mike Shanahan. We are out two draft picks and two very good players whose trade value have been diminished nearly to nil, and we are continuing to develop a reputation as the last team a free agent would want to sign with, where players are expendable for light and transient causes.

Hoss wrote:

Countertrey wrote:

Redskins_Fanatic wrote:

Countertrey wrote:....., I see no reason to accept your input.

That's fine. I could say the same thing about your input, so I'd guess we're even in that regard.

Yeah... I get that... except that I have NEVER quit on my team... EVER.

Countertrey wrote:Again, Mike and Kyle are fully responsible for the waste of effort, coin, and draft picks in this affair. Not McNabb. As I have pointed out many times in the past, McNabb is what he is. The Shanahans FAILED to do their homework... McNabb? He did what he does... He did what the Shanahans SHOULD HAVE KNOWN he does.

On that we will agree. I didn't want McNabb on the roster to begin with either. Personally, I don't care much or give much value to the draft picks they traded away for him, or his salary in this uncapped year, but the idea that we would bring in a former Eagle to run our offense does tick me off. Especially one who was so obviously DONE before we even brought him in.

What would YOU know about being done?


Oh...


Never mind...

Perhaps this?

TCIYM wrote:I'd add to this but up till now Countertrey has been reading my mind.

The funny thing is, my wife CONSTANTLY expects me to read her mind... but somehow, it just never works!

Countertrey wrote:

TCIYM wrote:I'd add to this but up till now Countertrey has been reading my mind.

The funny thing is, my wife CONSTANTLY expects me to read her mind... but somehow, it just never works!

That's because it's impossible to read a mind that continually changes.

Countertrey wrote:

All that this says is that Shanahan did not do his homework. He is fully responsible for bringing McNabb to the 'skins. He is also fully responsible for his pathetic handling of this situation.

You have a point there. How could Shanahan not know the skinny on McNabb? But also remember the skinny on Shanahan, he thinks he caan mold any talent and has often failed.

While Sonny's statement provides color in understanding the decisions made, it DOES NOT change the fact that McNabb has been treated horribly, and with NO respect. You call him into your office as soon as the decision is made. You tell him what you are doing, and why. You offer to assist him in finding a new team, when the time is right. Whether you like him or not, McNabb has earned some consideration.

Shanahan needs to go to tact 101.

Shanahan is the anti-Gibbs in terms of how to handle player issues with class. Gibbs was all class... Shanahan: No class.

Countertrey, have you ever heard LaVar tell his story about how Gibbs approached him about giving the bonus money back and the Skins will release him. It was in KC the night before the game. LaVar said that he thought Gibbs was coming to tell him since he practiced well, he would be starting, not that he was no longer wanted. Gibbs actually messed up the first message by saying the you can seek a trade. He came back not long after leaving a stunned LaVar and said that he said it wrong - you can leave if you pay the bonus back and you may not seek a trade. According to LaVar, the sad thing is Joe is as team president, Joe was reduced to messenger and couldn't even look LaVar in the eye. LaVar said that there are many things about Gibbs that we don't want to hear.
If we are to believe LaVar (He said he guarantees Joe Jackson Gibbs will never dispute what LaVar said on the radio last night), then that was not all class in handling LaVar. Gibbs was smart to keep his business dealing behind closed doors. Shanahan has no problem airing it out. On this difference, I would agree that Gibbs is the classier guy, but in this BUSINESS when I see our Coach and Team president ( who is a great person) let Antonio Pierce and Ryan Clark go (players who wanted to be here) and pick up an ill fit like Adam Archuleta, I know that there was no class involved in these decisions. Ask Ryan and Antonio why they were so steamed when they left and why they took joy in sticking it to us. No, in this business there is nobody who is all class, only some more classy than others - the issue is JUST WIN BABY and Shanahan showed us what happens when you have a QB who knows the offense - no wonder why Matt Schaub is doing so well in Houston - the O is so QB friendly even Grossman can run it.

TCIYM wrote:I'd add to this but up till now Countertrey has been reading my mind. One can't take an eleven year player and expect him to be something he has never been in those eleven years. This was and is entirely on Mike Shanahan. We are out two draft picks and two very good players whose trade value have been diminished nearly to nil, and we are continuing to develop a reputation as the last team a free agent would want to sign with, where players are expendable for light and transient causes.

I agree that we never should have acquired him. On that you will get no arguement from me.

I place no value on draft picks outside of the Top 10 of the First Round in the Salary Cap Era. I definitely don't place any value on Second or Third rounders; so in terms of what we gave up it's really a moot point for me.

Unless you're going to tell me that we could have gotten PLAYERS in return for Haynesworth and McNabb, which I doubt, or First Round draft picks, the fact that we're going to release them rather than trading them doesn't really mean anything to me either.

Players expendable for light and transient reasons is a GOOD THING. I thought all you folks wanted us immitating Bill Belichick and the Patriots who will cut a guy simply for saying the wrong thing in a press conference.

What a joke. This is nothing more than a ridiculous excuse. Shanford & Son didn't like McFlabb from the gate. Son brought his best friend, Wrecks Grossman from Houston with him.. McFlabb wasn't any worse than any QB in Dan Snyder's tenure has been.

Same ole problems for the foreskins. No O-line, No running game, Thrift Store receiving corp..

THAT doesn't surprise me. But hey, foreskin fans will be stupid enough to believe that this was all about practice effort and oh yeh... cardio.

LMAO @ this pathetic excuse for an organization. You bums make the Cowboys front office look like a well-oiled example of efficiency..

What's your excuse for Dallas this year????

SprintRightOption wrote:Early in the season there was a quote by Donavan complaining that the coaches were trying to get him to change his footwork. He said that at his age he had done enough to prove himself or something to that effect. That stuck in my mind that he didn't want to listen to the coaches on technique. This all starts to fall in to place with he didn't want to give 100%.

There were at least two short throws that Grossman made that led to first downs and more today. McNabb would have missed those easy ones.

Did you notice that Redskins not once attempted a field goal today? Last week was the final straw for Donavan. Torrain wss running like a train and they can't get touchdowns but have to settle for field goals. Grossman has 4 touchdowns and two 2pt conversions.

I hope they can either trade him or he decides to take practice and advice seriously.

SprintRightOption, you could also be known as SprintRightON! Michael Vick changed his footwork and look where he is. I can't stand folks who don't want to inmprove themselves. Shanahan was right. Does anyone remember McNabb saying early in the season that he only new 70% of the Offense? Good thing he wsn't here when Saunders was our OC.

Touche about the accuracy of Grossman and about the "No FG's!

Great Points!