Mcnabb appears to be done and he is the reason for this loss

[T.O.Killa]

I never blamed McNabb for his lack of success during this game. He played great considering how terrible his line play. I was absolutely stunned to see he got benched. I really feel like I lost allot of confidence in our coaching staff today. That was a knee jerk reaction to a horrible offensive line. I guess them being on the field gave them a false sense of what was going wrong out there. I think when they watch the film Lichtenstieger and Rabach might get cut, and for god sakes put Dockery in there.

[skins89moss]

Our offense likes to go deep with play action but when the Lions D-line lived in our backfield all day we were in trouble. From the 1st series on offense our O-line got their ass handed to them by the Lions. Our O-line played like garbage and we need to find a center cause Rabach got Bit** slapped all day. McNabb has struggle in the passing game but when you have Galloway as your #3 WR it should be a crime. You telling me Terrence Austin cant do what Galloway is doing in the offense, which is nothing. We have a lot of work and it will not be fixed his season.

[GusFrerotte]

This thread is a result of a knee jerk reaction that too many folks in here have over a bad game. The O line had by far their worst outing in protecting the QB, as well as run blocking, and we have known this. Did we reallythink that Trent Williams was going to save us during season 1 of his career? We are 2-3 seasons from being anything special, and to be honest I do not see Donovan being offered an extension ever. Although the line sucks, he hasn't been that great before today's debacle at Ford Field. Two to three seasons guys, get used to it. And if Dan fires the Shanny boys it might be even longer. The entire O line except Trent needs to be replaced, we need an extra WR to compliment AA, and some quality added depth at LB and DB would be recommended. On top of that we need to draft at least one QB in the next two seasons, and maybe another in 2-3 years. In short, we simply do not have the overall personnel to compete for a title yet.

[mooby]

You know, we can't just put this loss on our offense today. It was a total team loss. Banks made big plays today, and was probably our key standout on the entire roster. But that's not enough. Their special teams made plays too. Their special teams gave them good field position too, and the defense didn't step up and make enough plays to keep them out of the end zone. We could be looking at a different story if Carlos Rogers can get his hand in there on Megatron's 3rd td catch and poke that ball out.

Now granted a fair share of the blame needs to go to the offense, but the majority of the offensive blame goes to the line. I mean really, does anybody on this entire board think Kory Lichtensteiger, Casey Rabach, Artis Hicks, or Stephon Heyer (I'm excluding Brown because Heyer played the majority of series today and Brown still isn't 100% from his offseason injuries) would be quality starters on a different offensive line? I don't think any of them should be starting, and it's painfully obvious if you send 2 rushers at Stephon Heyer one of them will get a clean shot at McNabb.

If you are going to win in this league, you need an offensive line. End of story. I don't think anybody can argue otherwise. Has any team won a Super Bowl when their offensive line can't even give a qb enough time to execute a 5 step drop?

I do think K.Shanny needs to adjust this offense to fit McNabb better. We can't block, so it's natural we either keep more guys in to block, or we start getting the ball out quicker. But getting the ball out quicker won't work if your timing isn't down, and that's one of those things we need to work on in our bye week.

As for McNabb being benched, obviously it was a gut move. To be honest, when my friend asked me if I had confidence that McNabb could lead the 'Skins down the field in the last 2 minutes to score the game winning touchdown, I didn't, and I probably still don't. But I have even less confidence in Rex Grossman to do so, and McNabb, while not playing lights out, still gives us the best chance to win. So we have to live and die by him.

There's no short fix this season. Our offensive line is bad not including Trent Williams, and for everybody on this board wondering where Dockery is, if the coaches believe he's too slow and not the guard they need that fits their system, well we aren't going to see him again, regardless of how bad Lichtensteiger plays. Dockery is obviously bigger and more talented than Lichtensteiger, but if he is a bad fit for our system, he won't get pt, barring injury.

There is a lot of areas on this team that need work. 12thman had it right when he said Shanny has largely been winning games this season by a combination of smoke and mirrors, and getting great performances by individual players. There are some areas where we aren't talented enough to consistently play great (I'm looking at you offensive line), and today we just had a combination of guys that didn't play good football.

We go into the bye week with more questions than answers, and one of those is this unneeded qb controversy because McNabb got benched. It's not even debatable anymore after Shanny has already said McNabb is still the starter. That needs to be squashed because I don't know how someone can believe that Rex Grossman (he of 30 career touchdowns) and John Beck would be superior alternatives to McNabb. You don't think this coaching staff evaluates players? I know if either of those guys played consistently better than McNabb in practice against the 1st team d, McNabb wouldn't be starting.

Things aren't as bad as they seem. This team is 4-4 right now, and I feel we'll probably have a record somewhere like that in the 2nd half of the season, unless our offensive line learns how to block, and McNabb starts clicking with our receivers. At least it's not last year, when losing to Detroit set the precursor to our 4-12 season.

[GhettoDogAllStars]

17/30, 210 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 45 rush yards, and we scored 2 fewer points than our highest total of the season (27), but people still want to blame McNabb.

I know stats don't tell the whole story, but give me a break -- we scored 25 points under the most awful conditions WITH McNabb running the offense. We scored more points than 16 other teams that played today, and our 25 points would have been enough to win 6 of the 11 other games that were played today. Take it for what it's worth.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by GhettoDogAllStars

17/30, 210 pass yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 45 rush yards, and we scored 2 fewer points than our highest total of the season (27), but people still want to blame McNabb.

I know stats don't tell the whole story, but give me a break -- we scored 25 points under the most awful conditions WITH McNabb running the offense. We scored more points than 16 other teams that played today, and our 25 points would have been enough to win 6 of the 11 other games that were played today. Take it for what it's worth.

Not that I support the benching of McNabb but our offense only scored 19 points today. The other 6 came from Banks. On top of that last week we only managed 10 points though it should have been 13 (still way below what the numbers we should be putting up). Red Zone offense and 3rd down conversions is in need of a huge overhaul. And before you blame the receivers remember we have two guys playing at a pro bowl level. Thats two more then a lot of teams out there.

[GhettoDogAllStars]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

Not that I support the benching of McNabb but our offense only scored 19 points today. The other 6 came from Banks. On top of that last week we only managed 10 points though it should have been 13 (still way below what the numbers we should be putting up). Red Zone offense and 3rd down conversions is in need of a huge overhaul. And before you blame the receivers remember we have two guys playing at a pro bowl level. Thats two more then a lot of teams out there.

Yeah I realize that, but who knows how the other 16 teams got their points. Those teams' points could have come from units other than offense, so for comparison, we must look at the team total. It's a team effort and 25 points is enough to win the majority of games. It doesn't mean everything, but it means something. So, take it for what it's worth.

Yeah, McNabb can do better, but 210/1/1 (and 45 yards rushing) should be enough to win a game.

[skinsguy]

First of all, I didn't agree with Shanahan's decision to pull McNabb, I think it was a stupid move.

Second of all, there are a lot of factors as to why the Redskins lost yesterday and haven't been as exciting to watch on offense as what we had hoped. You would had to have been deaf, dumb, and blind not to see how horrible the OL played yesterday. And it hasn't been just yesterday. That group has been declining the past few weeks. Rebach needs to be replaced, and Stephon Heyer is trash. Honestly, the only guy on the front line that is worth staying is Trent Williams.

Thirdly, we are down to Williams in the backfield? A rookie? Our third string RB? While I am very high on Torrain, we really miss Portis' pass protection! I would say that Clinton Portis is probably the best pass blocking RB in the game.

Fourthly, Not sure why Kyle Shanahan isn't going max protection (maybe he just doesn't feel like he has the personnel to do it) but it seems to me that it would be in the best interest to go max protect and switch to a shorter passing game...something that Donovan was used to in Philly. Maybe they will work on this during the bye? I think Kyle can be a great offensive mind, but he's calling some boneheaded plays too.

Fifthly, dumb stupid penalties and mistakes at the wrong time. I would say more times than not, despite the offensive woes this team has been having, the team beats themselves. The penalty on the field goal try, the holding penalties, the false starts, etc....all penalties that have to do with playing undisciplined. I can understand having to hold every now and then (with hopes of getting away with it) to keep from your QB getting killed, but that isn't always the case with these calls.

Sixth, I really have to give praise and chastisement of the defense. They play really solid and they are starting to make big plays. Having a plus ratio in turnovers is awesome, but they just can't seem to come up with the big play when they need it the most. How can a second year QB throw a pass to a double covered WR in the end zone on fourth down? However, overall, the defense has looked pretty solid and I think they will continue to improve.

Lastly (I know, thank God, right?) Donavon McNabb. I understand that he is learning a new system, but it doesn't matter what system you are in. You see a wide open receiver, you throw it to him. He's been overthrowing and under throwing wide open guys every game. So many times he could have hit a quick home run strike and he would miss the WR's. That is on McNabb. Has nothing to do with pass protection or a new scheme. He's a pro bowl player and I don't believe that this system is so different that he doesn't know it by now. I expect him to make a few mistakes, but please don't talk about it being a new system. Either those Philly fans were right about McNabb, or there is some other underlying issue that we have not been made aware of. But, I will say, benching McNabb yesterday was stupid. You live and die by him, he's your QB for the long haul. No QB is going to win you very many games behind that OL right now. Those are just facts. Tom Brady would be like Ryan Leaf behind this OL right now. So, don't put all of the blame on DM. At the same time, don't think he gets a free pass either. He has just as much work to do as everybody else on the team.

Right now, you win and lose as a team. And the Redskins are finding ways to lose as a team. Eliminate those stupid mistakes and that alone can take you quite far. I'm just hoping KS will come up with some quicker modification of the offense while our OL is trash.

[BleedBurgundy]

Originally Posted by skinsguy

But, I will say, benching McNabb yesterday was stupid. You live and die by him, he's your QB for the long haul. No QB is going to win you very many games behind that OL right now.

Gotta disagree with this. Who says he's our QB for the long haul? He's played like garbage this year. He's only under contract through the end of this year. There's a very uncertain labor situation going into next year. He's 34 years old right now. Looking at all of that information, why would you declare him "here for the long haul?"

The reason is that we gave up a 2nd round pick and that he "used" to be good when he played for the Eagles. The problem with that reasoning is that you can't worry about that 2nd rounder, it's already gone and it's not coming back. Compounding the mistake by re-signing a guy who is a bad fit in this offense makes no sense at this point. You really have to look at the situation as a "what is" not a "what should/could/would be." McNabb has been a below average qb this year. That's what he is RIGHT NOW. If that changes before the end of the year, great. But if not, we'll move forward with someone new. Dude's been here 6 months, we're not committed to anyone for the "long haul" yet.

Also... we're a .500 ball club at the bye, and we've been winning in spite of our offense. The defense is handling the transition to the 3-4 better than we could have expected, especially given the lack of ideal personnel with which to run it. Special teams has been a huge improvement. Things could be much worse.

[Pocket$ $traight]

Until they get rid of the human turnstile, aka Casey Rabach, I don't know if we can blame any QB. I am ready to say that Rabach does not belong in the league and I would say the biggest offeason ? of this administration was extending him.

I have been pretty hard on Heyer, but at least he holds his own here and there. Rabach is p a t h e t i c.

[12thMan]

I'm really starting to dislike Shanahan. Well, I his pressers rub me the wrong the way. Why would an NFL coach stand up there and feed us a bunch of bullsh*t about Rex knowing the two minute drill better!? C'mon man, I didn't fall off the turnip truck yesterday! Just say that Mac was have a bad day, he was throwing a stinker, and you wanted to jump start the team. Damn, why is that so damn hard!

They're calling Shanny, Zornahan on the radio this morning!

[44ever]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

I'm really starting to dislike Shanahan. Well, I his pressers rub me the wrong the way. Why would an NFL coach stand up there and feed us a bunch of bullsh*t about Rex knowing the two minute drill better!? C'mon man, I didn't fall off the turnip truck yesterday! Just say that Mac was have a bad day, he was throwing a stinker, and you wanted to jump start the team. Damn, why is that so damn hard!

They're calling Shanny, Zornahan on the radio this morning!

Best post in the thread bro! And I am feeling the same way. Im sure McNabb is also starting to lose his confidence in Shanny. Between putting McNabb and AH on the bench, he has shown he can cut off his nose to spite his face.

He can't scare these guys into playing better foootball. Are we a work in progress or did Shanny actually think he is the saviour and would bring instant perfection?

Benching McNabb was a big mistake!!!! for many reasons. Everyone is confused over this decision.

[Chief X_Phackter]

Agree, that is ridiculous.

[KLHJ2]

This is why I got to stay away from gameday threads, all gloom and doom and some of the the most negative knee jerk reactions. Sometimes I think that the guys that post on here are the same people that walk around the city wearing signs that read "The End is Near".

As far as McNabb is concerned I disagree with his benching. He made many big plays despite getting planted every time he dropped back. That D-line was just too much for us to handle. Grossman may understand the 2 minute drill a bit better but behind that line there was no way that the execution was going to be there.

As far as the game overall. Detroit is an up an comming team, they outplayed us and the better team won. If they can get that ground game going and with a little luck they can have a winning season.

[Chief X_Phackter]

Right.

McNabb isn't done (he will be soon if that O-line doesn't get it together)

and...

He isn't the reason for the loss.

The thread title is knee-jerkish. The benching of McNabb in that scenario is almost like the swinging gate call...almost. Didn't make much sense at all, and after all the explanations it still doesn't.