- Admin
- #1
Believe it or not, the first significant shoe to drop in the NFL's condensed, chaotic "offseason" was not Kevin Kolb. According Jason La Canfora of NFL Network, the Redskins have agreed to ship Donovan McNabb to Minnesota, pending the six-time Pro Bowler conceding to a restructured contract.
Signs of McNabb's eventual dismissal from the nation's capital have been well-documented for several weeks. Mike Shanahan has openly expressed his desire to give John Beck or Rex Grossman an opportunity at the starting gig, inevitably passing off the Chunky Soup connoisseur to another employer. Hey, what Lucifer wants, Lucifer gets.
If McNabb submits to the contract demands, which would be a smart move, he will undoubtedly start over rookie Christian Ponder for the QB-needy Vikings. Obviously, bringing in a quality veteran who, despite his advanced age and coming off his worst fantasy season since his inaugural effort in 1999, still has a couple of solid years left in the tank and can bolster a Norsemen squad shrouded in vertical uncertainty. UFA Sidney Rice remains a fixture on several teams' radar, including the likes of Chicago, New England and Seattle. However, scoring a bona fide "name" passer could prevent the wideout from putting his Minneapolis home on the market.
As for McNabb, his deteriorating skill set and presumed role within a generally conservative offense labels him an upside QB2 only. At best, he's a fringe starter in 14-team leagues, though his odds of reaching peak potential would improve dramatically if Rice is retained. At worst, he's a stream-worthy play in very deep leagues. For now, assuming his top target stays put and he actually reconfigures his contract, 3,500 passing yards with 20-23 TDs seems attainable. Recall he's just a year removed from a top-10 QB effort with the Eagles (20.8 ppg in '09).
Meanwhile in the land of political bickering, terribly mediocre passers John Beck and, if re-signed, Rex Grossman will likely duke it out for Week 1 snaps, assuming another veteran isn't brought in (e.g. Kyle Orton). With Chris Cooley and Santana Moss already in tow — the crafty UFA agreed to terms on a three-year deal Tuesday after a sneaky good PPR effort last year (93-1115-6) — and possibly with Santonio Holmes or "Banana Hands" Braylon Edwards expected to join the roster soon, the 'Skins won't be short on aerial weapons. Still, it's yet to be seen whether Beck or Grossman, who finished 2011 strong (280 ypg, 7:4 TD:INT from Weeks 15-17), can hit the Jolly Green Giant in the chest with regularity. If the winner of the starting gig proves at least Ryan Fitzpatrick-useful, Moss' value may not fall off the continental shelf. Remember, the slippery target snagged 22 passes for 231 yards and two scores in three games with Grossman at the helm late last year. He's a quality WR3 whose current ADP (93.1) is sure to tumble into the triple-digits.
(UPDATE: Pro Football Talk cites a close source, McNabb-to-Minnesota talks are a bit "premature." Obviously, the situation remains fluid. Far from a done deal. Given the Benjamins involved, hesitant feelings are not surprising. Stay tuned.)
(UPDATE #2: Specifics about the potential swap are starting to bubble up to the surface. Jay Glazer reports the 'Skins will receive a sixth-round pick in 2012 and conditional sixth-rounder in 2013. Of course, this is all contingent on McNabb revamping his contract. All in all, it's a small price to pay for an established QB with a long track-record.)
Speak up, gamers. What's your reaction to the potential McNabb-to-Minny deal? Who will command the Redskins offense? Could Grossman actually not suck? Are you petrified of Moss now that he's staying in Washington? Discuss.
Bring the noise on Twitter. Follow Brad @YahooNoise. And harass him in person, along with esteemed Yahoo! colleagues Brandon Funston and Andy Behrens, throughout August in a city near you. Visit*FantasyFootballSymposium.com for more info.
--
Images courtesy of US Presswire
Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:
• LeBron's unexpected pro-am league cameo
• Video: Man on mission to bicycle to every MLB stadium
• Early college football conference showdowns