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The price is going to be right for McNabb. His ADP according to Mock Draft Central is 103, which puts him as the seventh pick in the ninth round of 12-team fantasy drafts. He is the 14th quarterback coming off the board. I actually have him as the 11th quarterback (click to see my ranking), which would make him a starter, but he clearly has some risk associated with him.
He made the obvious switch from the Eagles to the Redskins. While Mike Shanahan’s concurrent arrival helps, there is still something to be said about switching teams after 11 years with an organization. Even if the transition is flawless, there are other factors that could jeopardize your fantasy team.
McNabb will turn 34 this year. While that isn’t nearly as old as the quarterback the Vikings are waiting on, it’s still an age where you feel the bumps and bruises a little more.
If we were talking about an Iron Man like Favre or Peyton Manning, I wouldn’t stress it as much, but this is a guy who has missed multiple games in five of the past eight seasons. Washington tied for fourth in the league with 46 sacks allowed last year. They addressed their line adding rookie tackle Trent Williams, but it is still cause for concern.
As are his lack of playmakers. His top wideout, Santana Moss, is a major downgrade from the Eagles’ DeSean Jackson. Devin Thomas (40 career receptions), Malcom Kelly (28 career receptions), and Terrence Austin (rookie) have to prove they can excel at this level. Tight ends Chris Cooley and Fred Davis both have ability, but how often will they both be running routes at the same time.
Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson, and Willie Parker aren’t making anybody envision Brian Westbrook. McNabb has dealt with inferior talent before, but he at least had Westbrook to lean on.
McNabb also isn’t the runner he once was. He hasn’t topped 250 rushing yards in a season since 2003. He has only had 4-plus rushing touchdowns twice in his career, the last time being in 2002. McNabb only has two years of 3,600-plus passing yards and has thrown 26-plus touchdowns just once, back in 2004 when he had Terrell Owens.
So do you trust him as your starting fantasy football quarterback? Personally, I do not. I would rather address the position early and get someone that I rank in the top eight or so. If you do take McNabb, I urge you to add a high-end backup. One that you could envision becoming your full-time starter. Just in case.
What do you think of Donovan McNabb?
Also check out:
- 2010 Top 30 Fantasy QB Rankings
- 2010 Top 50 Fantasy RB Rankings
- 2010 Top 60 Fantasy WR Rankings
- 2010 Top 25 Fantasy TE Rankings
- 2010 Top 25 Fantasy IDP Rankings
- 2010 Top 25 Fantasy Team Defense Rankings
- 2010 Top 15 Fantasy K Rankings
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
By now, with almost 24 hours to digest last night’s epic 42-17 pasting of hapless Buffalo in Mike Shanahan’s Redskins debut, you have probably read a dozen “game impressions” blog posts from around the web. And I bet some of them were pretty damn good.
So rather than go all serious on you, here’s something a little different.
An experiment.
What follows are raw real-time notes jotted down during the game. They weren’t intended for publishing, just as reminders of what I wanted to comment on and hopefully capture the vibe to flesh out later.
I have only polished it up for some grammar, punctuation and spelling. The content was written “hot” while also juggling a cold beverage (or two) and simultaneously working on a “formal” article I believe you will be seeing … well, soon.
I’d tell you more but then I’d have to kill you. And who wants that? Especially while we’re basking in the afterglow of a burgundy and gold woodshed job?
Not sure if we’ll reprise the post format or not, but what the heck.
It’s preseason.
8/13/10, 7:20 pm
- Almost gametime. Is it normal to have butterflies before the first preseasongame? Weird.
- Never have quite understood why offensive players are allowed to facemask and defensive players are not. See it every week. Weirder.
- Haslett’s new defense isn’t exactly starting well. Definitely isn’t aggressive like we saw in camp last week. Not a lot of presnap movement, hardly any blitzing. It will look different in September. Hopefully.
- No disrespect, but NBC’s coverage sucks. No down and distance half the time, silly commentary by Joe Theismann; Donovan fooling camera man so bad on a simple playfake he’s STILL trying to figure out how the hell the ball ended up 40 yards downfield on the other side of the field.
- Torain looked like Ladell Betts reincarnated there. Good strong tackle break on first carry turns 3 yard loss into 5 yard gain. Good first impression.
- Starting to get offensive rhythm on second drive. In and out of huddle quickly, snapping ball on quick count … love it. Campbell’s offenses always seemed to operate methodically … lingering mental image is JC standing over center, scanning field, standing over center, scanning field, standing over center scanning … JASON CALL HUT ALREADY.
- I wrote earlier this offseason that younger Redskins fans were going to know “offensive rhythm” when they finally saw it. First official taste came on second drive of the first preseason game.
- O-Line giving McNabb time. To. Throw. Holy shit.
- Trent Williams looking like a pro.
- TOUCHDOWN. DM faced down pass rush, kept eyes downfield, found Armstrong, delivered on target despite good coverage. The Redskins have a real quarterback.
- Weird. As much as I want to see McNabb and the offense, I’m also anxious to see the new defense. So much newness to see with this team.
- Second defensive possession. Haslett not happy. No one is. They look confused and hesitant. Carlos gets burned, lucky pass is overthrown.
- As I’m writing the above, Carriker pass rush forces a bad throw that leads to an INT. DHall, great reaction. Could do w/o “praise be to me” celebration. It’s preseason. Turnover (wish list)–check.
- Which leads directly to short-field TD. That’s the way it’s supposed to work. Worth noting that scoring the TD and not settling for a FG, which has been the MO for so long, is a huge difference. Good teams don’t “settle,” they dictate. Redskins may or may not be a “good team” this year but the early returns have to put a smile on even the curmudgeonliest face.
- Dan Snyder in the booth looked good. Tanned, fit, relaxed. And short. Really short. Lots I could say there, but won’t. It’s a new day.
- Theismann utterly at sea again after Snyder interview. Assumes Redskins got turnover when Banks actually returned a punt. Too busy making eyebrow-wiggles at Snyder. Even after [Kenny] Albert said it was a punt return, JT still listening to his own voice and talking about how turnovers are something the Redskins didn’t do last year. Lame on so many levels I won’t waste your time.
- What’s this? A wide open Bobby Wade on a third and long? A Skins QB with the time to hit him? Whoa.
- Rhythm. Redskins offense dictating the pace of the game to the Bills defense. Huge, HUGE.
- Chan Gailey sideline shot looked like he smelled something rotten. He did.
- Rex Grossman one lucky pup early. Two passes that could/should have been pick 6′s instead result in one incompletion and a TD pass. Man must be on good terms with the Gridiron Gods.
- Bummer for rookie LB Perry Riley. Follows up a sweet blitz sack with an overeager poor angle in the open field that allows Buffalo to almost convert third and forever.
- They fake going for it on fourth down. Skins disciplined–no movement. Which Joey T totally doesn’t “get” by the way. Can’t seem to understand why the Bills didn’t snap it–on their own 40 yard line. Not trying to pick on Joe, but geez. Embarrassing.
- Wait, was that a SCREEN? For positive yards? Can’t be.
- Trent Williams rookie mistake negates big play. He’s totally gassed. Showed on that play.
- Halftime impression: Redskins clearly the better coached, more disciplined team. I don’t care if it’s just one preseason game, it’s been a long time since I got that overall “secure” feeling about a Redskins team. Maybe early in Gibbs’ second year for a couple weeks, but not since.
SECOND HALF
- Defense still looking organized and moderately aggressive. Perry Riley making a good impression after the blown open-field tackle. Wish list (what new names?)–check.
- Brandon Banks is fast. He does that one more time this preseason he’s in. Can’t cut a guy that explodes.
- Grossman to Thomas. Not a battery one expected for long TD passes. I’ll take it.
- Random thought at 35-3: if this was a fight they’d stop it.
- Pretty cool. A Skin wearing #32 just made a play and it wan’t Ade Jimoh.
- Redskins defense anticipating everything Bills are doing. Total mismatch on the sidelines and on the field. Skins D looking organized, confident. Too early? This isn’t Dallas.
- Poor Beck comes in on his own 5 right after a long Grossman TD pass. At 35-3 the Skins won’t throw much any more to avoid totally showing up Buffalo and try to get out of here w/o any injuries. Going to be hard to find a spot to shine.
- Veteran Roydell Williams recovers a fumbled punt (old man hustling much?) giving Beck another chance with field position and a little juice. Be interesting if Kyle lets him go downfield.
- Drive starts with false start from backup O-Lineman. Next, Beck unaware of backside rush. First blush impression — man is a little too casual back there for my tastes. Internal clock needs winding.
- Defense getting a little sloppy, poor tackling in the open field. Not surprising–fourth quarter, blowout–and not many of these guys on either team out there right now are likely to see the field in regular season. Like to see organized finish though.
- Last offensive drive … Riggo Drill? That was fun.
[Drive chart from NFL.com]
1-10-BUF 48 (5:36) 46-R.Torain left end pushed ob at BUF 33 for 15 yards (47-C.Harris).
1-10-BUF 33 (5:06) 35-K.Williams right end to BUF 30 for 3 yards (47-C.Harris).
2-7-BUF 30 (4:26) 35-K.Williams left tackle to BUF 30 for no gain (50-D.Woods, 75-L.Harvey).
3-7-BUF 30 (3:48) 35-K.Williams right end to BUF 19 for 11 yards (25-E.Lankster).
1-10-BUF 19 (3:05) 46-R.Torain right tackle to BUF 8 for 11 yards (72-R.Duncan).
1-8-BUF 8 (2:20) 46-R.Torain right end pushed ob at BUF 7 for 1 yard (25-E.Lankster).
2-7-BUF 7 (2:15) 35-K.Williams right tackle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4-G.Gano extra point is GOOD, Center-57-N.Sundberg, Holder-6-J.Bidwell.
BUF 17, WAS 42 Plays: 7 Possession: 3:27
- Sideline shots in last two minutes, Redskins look confident, loose, close. Love it.
- Can only watch so much post game yapping. Where’s the remote?
Which just about says it all.
No one should get carried away–it was a preseason game against a pretty sad opponent. But if you were going to write the proverbial script for the first game of a new era, it would look a lot like what we saw last night.
For one brief moment, at least, all is right in the Redskins universe.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
With the first offseason depth chart released by the team, Ryan O’Halloran of CSNWashington has provided us with some initial thoughts of who’s playing where (click HERE for the original article by Ryan O’Halloran). We’ve taken it upon ourselves to drop some of our own comments…
Kelly and Thomas Make Third-Team – If you’ve been following training camp, it’s really not all that surprising. Mike Shanahan has been quoted as saying that Santana Moss was the only proven starter, followed by the wheelchair bandit Joey Galloway, back-up Roydell Williams, and the unknown Anthony Armstrong.
Kelly has been hampered by injuries for a third straight season and Shanahan has no tolerance for shenanigans. Thomas, on the other hand, shows a bit more promise but has been surprisingly outworked by the 38-year-old Galloway. Probably more embarrassing than surprising.
Trent Williams Is The Only Rookie Listed As Starter – This is a good thing…we think. Williams has reportedly been throwing people around in one-on-one drills (sorry Curtis Gatewood) and he has earned his starting spot at left tackle. While the left side of the offensive line seems intact, the right side appears to be causing some uneasiness with the coaching staff.
It should also be noted that rookie linebacker Perry Riley (LSU) is on the second-team as a backup inside linebacker. Riley went somewhat overlooked in the Draft but he tends to have all that it takes to be a solid contributor.
Willie Parker Is Fourth RB Behind Portis, Johnson, and Torain – We don’t want to say that we told you so, but it was an early prediction that Willie Parker wouldn’t even make the team. With that being said, it’s no surprise that Parker is coming in on Ryan Torain’s coat tails.
Clinton Portis is the obvious starter going into this season, and we love the decision by coach Shanahan (read our Portis article HERE). Larry Johnson is the only real bruiser on the team and his second-team role was expected. The real ‘battle’, if you will, was amongst the veteran (and former speedster) Willie Parker and the young Ryan Torain.
Although the gap between Parker and Torain may not be that big, Torain’s main edge over the 30-year-old Parker is that he can contribute on special teams. It should also be mentioned that Shanahan is familiar with Torain from his first days with Denver.
This is the right move…just in case Shanahan gave a crap about our opinion.
Starting Defensive Line Of Carriker, Kemoeatu, and Golston – Yes! But before we mention the H-word, let us congratulate the three guys listed above who have worked their tales off to make the first-team. Kemoeatu is coming off of a torn Achilles, Carriker is looking for a revival, and Golston has been a workhorse from the beginning.
And now for the Haynesworth mention. That’s right, he’s on the second-team.
Although we have yet to even play a preseason game, it is nice to see that Albert Haynesworth isn’t getting anything easy. Haynesworth will be forced to work for a starting spot and he could play nose tackle OR defensive end.
Andre Carter Looks To Have Edge On Lorenzo Alexander – Another positional battle that ends with another expected result. Despite an outstanding camp for Alexander thus far, Andre Carter seems to present too much athleticism to pass up as the starter at left outside linebacker.
Alexander, like Golston, is a workhorse that will continue to receive playing time regardless of whether they’re on the first- or fifth-team. Unfortunately for Alexander, Andre Carter is a mutant.
Kareem Moore Ahead Of Reed Doughty At Free Safety – We don’t want to say it again, but we knew this would happen. Doughty may be a fan favorite because of a strong work ethic, but Kareem Moore is the clear favorite in this battle.
The Washington Redskins have the opportunity to pose a pretty threatening safety assault with the combination of LaRon Landry (now playing closer to the line), Chris “The Predator” Horton, and Kareem Moore.
First-Team Return Men Are Thomas (KO) and Buchanon (PR) – And this is where Devin Thomas becomes more valuable than fellow 2008 Draft pick Malcolm Kelly. While Kelly has the potential of a lengthy redzone target, Thomas can contribute immediately as a consistent special teams player.
And though you may have forgotten that the team signed Phillip Buchanon, the cornerback has no choice but to be an upgrade from Antwann Randle-El last season.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
1.) Can Mike Shanahan do for Donavon McNabb what he did for John Elway?
If it’s winning Super Bowls, no. The Redskins still have a way to go before they get to serious Super Bowl contention. They could easily make the playoffs, more on that later on. McNabb will actually have a running game this season, which should take pressure off him. I think McNabb will be rejuvenated to be in a town that likes him and be able to rely on the running game.
2.) Will Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson and Willie Parker all be on the roster come week 1?
Clinton Portis should be on the roster, but there are doubts about the other two. Larry Johnson needs to stay out of trouble and if he does that he’ll make it. Willie Parker needs to prove he can stay healthy and has something left to provide to this offense. My guess is they will, but that depends on health and off the field issues.
3.) Will the additions of Trent Williams and Jamaal Brown make the offensive line respectable?
Both are very athletic tackles, which is what Mike Shanahan wants in his system. Jamaal Brown has been a franchise left tackle in this league with the Saints. Injuries have plagued Brown recently, so he needs to get healthy to be a difference maker. Trent Williams has tons of potential from Maryland and will be the left tackle, leaving Brown to play right tackle.
4.) Could Brian Orakpo be an even bigger factor in 2010?
Did great in 2009 and will now be in the 3-4 defense. The 3-4 scheme is a dream for linebackers and his numbers will show.
5.) Record?
9-7, second in the NFC East
This idea originated from ESPN’s Mike & Mike. To check out there opinion on the Redskins, click here. I will be back tomorrow with previews of the Broncos and Giants.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
If the reported contract numbers and Pete Carroll are telling the truth, the Seahawks won the six-day game of chicken against Russell Okung’s agent.
Okung’s deal has been reported as a six-year contract worth up to $58 million, with about $30 million guaranteed.
If it is indeed a straight six-year deal, with no option for Okung to void the sixth year, the Seahawks definitely won—getting the left tackle for six years at a slightly below-market average of $5 million per year in guaranteed money.
And, if that’s the case, there’s no way this should have dragged on a week into camp.
“This could have been done sooner,” Carroll told reporters. “We stood very strong. I really think (General Manager) John (Schneider) did a great job of hanging in there and holding the line where we wanted to.”
The holdup was first thought to be length of deal, with agent Peter Schaffer understandably wanting five years.
Then came informed speculation that Schaffer wanted Okung to be paid a premium for a sixth year and/or be paid more than safety Eric Berry, who was drafted one spot ahead of Okung.
But, on the surface, it does not appear he got any of that.
The only way this deal makes sense for Schaffer and Okung is if the sixth year is voidable based on Okung’s performance.
Otherwise, the Seahawks got Okung for the amount of time they wanted and for less guaranteed money than they should have had to pay.
No. 4 pick Trent Williams, also an offensive tackle, and No. 5 pick Berry each signed six-year deals worth $60 million. No. 7 pick Joe Haden, a cornerback, got $50 million over five years. So, Okung’s $9.67 million per season in the overall deal is perfectly in the ballpark.
But, as with all NFL contracts, the overall value is really just for show. In the NFL, it’s all about guaranteed money. Players usually get that money within the first three years through various bonuses; but, for slotting purposes, the best way to compare guaranteed money is to break it down by year.
Williams received $36.75 million in guarantees, an average of about $6.1 million per year, while Berry got $34 million, an average of $5.67 million. Haden received $26 million, or $5.2 million per year. All fall into proper slotting order.
However, if Okung’s $30 million over six years is correct, Schaffer certainly did not get the sixth-year premium he allegedly was looking for, because Okung’s guaranteed cash averages $5 million per year—less than Haden’s.
If the sixth year can be voided, the guaranteed money would break down to about $6 million per year—which would achieve Schaffer’s reported goal of surpassing Berry’s contract. But, according to Carroll, it doesn’t sound like Schneider gave in on that.
It’s quite possible that Schaffer was concerned only with the total values, getting bonus money between Haden’s $26 million and Berry’s $34 million in a deal that averaged about $10 million per year in the total package.
But if that’s all he wanted, there’s absolutely no way this should have gone on as long as it did.
The complete details will trickle out eventually, and then we’ll all know what the holdup was and be better able to judge this deal.
In the meantime, the Seahawks’ offensive line just got better than it has been in three years.
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