Bruce Allen says McNabb signing wasn't a mistake

Posted by Josh Katzowitz

Despite the disaster with Redskins QBs last year – if you don’t remember the horror, check out the breakout box below – Washington GM Bruce Allen told CSN Washington that if he had it to do over again, he would still make the trade with the Eagles to get McNabb.

McNabb's nightmare year
Wilson: the inglorious end to McNabb’s career? Hopkins makes racial remarks about McNabb McNabb’s agent, Shanahan exchange barbs Shanahan changes his story a bit How Philadelphia traded McNabb

“We would make the move again with Donovan,” Allen said. “The 6-10 record wasn’t what we had dreamed of for the season.”

But Allen also doesn’t blame McNabb for the subpar record. And he says the outside world doesn’t really know what went on inside the locker room.

“When you’re inside the locker room, you have all the facts,” Allen said. “You know the affections and feelings we have for Donovan as a person and player. We’ll let people speculate and create rumors. Hopefully they go off the wrong tracks and that will give us an advantage when we start playing.”

And as far as that little tiff between McNabb and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan?

“I think they jelled very well at times,” Allen said. “It was the first year for everybody with the Washington Redskins, and it takes some time to learn the other person’s desires.”

Unfortunately for McNabb, he most likely won’t get to learn Allen’s desires for Year No. 2. Because, as soon as the lockout is over, McNabb is probably gone from Washington.

So, yeah. Overall, just a great trade.

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hgtrerte Since: Dec 2, 2011	Posted on: December 3, 2011 1:25 am This comment has been removed. Post Deleted by Administrator
tomlye Since: Nov 28, 2011	Posted on: November 30, 2011 8:29 pm This comment has been removed. Post Deleted by Administrator
Vince Vega Since: Feb 9, 2011	Posted on: June 20, 2011 12:29 pm Bruce Allen says McNabb signing wasn't a mistake What's he going to say? Obviously it was a bad move because they either mis-read McNabb's talent or they thought they could mold him into the kind of QB they wanted but old George will stick to this storyline because he doesn't want to upset King Shanahan or Prince Kyle. [ Reply to Comment ]
sportswhore Since: Sep 10, 2006	Posted on: June 20, 2011 12:23 pm Bruce Allen says McNabb signing wasn't a mistake I'd like to think that I am as level-headed of a Philly fan as we have in this city with a misguided reputation of having few... That said, Phillies R2C2's explanation of McNabb's tenure in Philadelphia is spot-on, T.O situation included. McNabb, while being a loyal and devoted Andy Reid disciple, took his shots in a veiled and unreproachable fashion. This is why the national media paints Philadelphia as an unappreciative fanbase for #5's efforts. While we truly enjoyed most of his play, it was an air of disingenuity that killed him here. The trade to the Redskins was a benefit to the Eagles in my view. Andy Reid, for the most part, has his fingers on the pulse of a player and when he is about to hit decline or become far overpaid (BDawk excluded). Whether Nate Allen turns out to be a strong FS is the kicker in that deal. As a friend to many Redskins fans, I always offer the opinion that they need to stop building through free agency with poor character players. Haynesworth, D Hall in particular, but the list goes on and on. Fitting square pegs into round holes (Albert in a 3-4) is never a solution. Dan Snyder has to stop feeling pressure to win now, bite the bullet and look to long-term stability by building through the draft and acquiring more picks in each draft. Its a simple concept that you guys surely get, but it is also a discipline for a front-office to not get 'spend-happy', but more 'spend-savvy' with FA's... All said, I hope it doesn't happen and that the 'Skins continue to fail in free agency each year while studs like Brian Orakpo fight the good fight... [ Reply to Comment ]
MAG-TLB Since: Nov 5, 2010	Posted on: June 20, 2011 11:38 am Bruce Allen says McNabb signing wasn't a mistake The fact is that at the time of the DMC5 signing it was a good trade. It did not work out. No one would have thought that DMC5 would not be the answer. He knew the NFC East and thought he would come in and dominate. he came in chubby and cocky and did not deliver. Philly let him go for a reason. he is on the down slope of his career. he had a good run and is a leader in the locker room. He now should become a #2 guy and show and teach a QB how to succed in this league. I don't know if the current QB's for the Redskins are the answer (Beck)( Grossman) but the organization as a whole is starting to build a team with character guys and professionalizm. As a diehard fan I hope it occurs soon! [ Reply to Comment ]
TwistedMoFo Since: Jul 2, 2009	Posted on: June 20, 2011 11:26 am Bruce Allen says McNabb signing wasn't a mistake QB with much better leadership skills and a guy that can complete passes consistently instead of killing earth worms on every throw. Are you talking about Mike Vick???? Seriously? [ Reply to Comment ]
Hippy Joe Since: Oct 9, 2006	Posted on: June 20, 2011 10:56 am Bruce Allen says McNabb signing wasn't a mistake I wouldn't let this guy manage a middle school team. How does he still have a job? He's track record is very bad... [ Reply to Comment ]
ACSDirtCR Since: Oct 31, 2008	Posted on: June 20, 2011 7:05 am Bruce Allen says McNabb signing wasn't a mistake linguistically inept.....yet "ashame" is evidently one word [ Reply to Comment ]
PhilliesR2C2 Since: Dec 15, 2010	Posted on: June 19, 2011 7:39 pm Bruce Allen says McNabb signing wasn't a mistake ....i do think he handled himself with class when T Owens threw him under the bus Unfotunately, I disagree with you. Living in Philadelphia, I got to see most of the inside stuff that fans of other teams didn't see. McNabb was passive aggressive and was as much a part of that situation as Terrell Owens. While I disagree with the way Owens acted, McNabb wasn't much better. He was jealous mid-way through the '04 season because Owens was receiving most of the attention, which led to him making a comment that the Eagles didn't need Owens to win the Super Bowl after Owens got injured.. Ultimately, it was that comments and McNabb's unwillingness to back Owens on a new contract that led to their rift. Most people around the league say that McNabb's a good guy because he's never in trouble, but they don't know all the behind-the-scenes antics that he pulls. He's a thin-skinned, passive aggressive crybaby that whines and takes little jabs when he doesn't get his way. As an Eagles fan, I was ECSTATIC when they finally got rid of him and moved on to a QB with much better leadership skills and a guy that can complete passes consistently instead of killing earth worms on every throw. The best thing for Washington would be to get rid of this passive aggressive locker room cancer and get a QB they can develop to lead that organization. [ Reply to Comment ]
callmezeke Since: Dec 7, 2009	Posted on: June 19, 2011 3:50 pm Bruce Allen says McNabb signing wasn't a mistake I'll accept what Bruce Allen says about McNabb's signing, even if his statement seems on the surface to be at odds with the likelihood that Washington will change quarterbacks when the league resumes operations. And while the devoted Redskins fan in me still grates at having a QB whose identity is so tightly bound with our bitter NFC rivals in Philly, I thought having McNabb was better than sticking with Jason Campbell for another season. Anybody think the owner would offer the same charitable words about signing Albert Haynesworth, though? While it's not really Haynesworth's fault, he's a poor match for their defensive scheme. And his resentment over that became a major impediment to the team as a whole. I'm guessing Allen hopes they can trade him this year to get a player better-suited to playing a 3-4 defense. [ Reply to Comment ]

I'd like to think that I am as level-headed of a Philly fan as we have in this city with a misguided reputation of having few...

That said, Phillies R2C2's explanation of McNabb's tenure in Philadelphia is spot-on, T.O situation included. McNabb, while being a loyal and devoted Andy Reid disciple, took his shots in a veiled and unreproachable fashion. This is why the national media paints Philadelphia as an unappreciative fanbase for #5's efforts. While we truly enjoyed most of his play, it was an air of disingenuity that killed him here.

The trade to the Redskins was a benefit to the Eagles in my view. Andy Reid, for the most part, has his fingers on the pulse of a player and when he is about to hit decline or become far overpaid (BDawk excluded). Whether Nate Allen turns out to be a strong FS is the kicker in that deal.

As a friend to many Redskins fans, I always offer the opinion that they need to stop building through free agency with poor character players. Haynesworth, D Hall in particular, but the list goes on and on. Fitting square pegs into round holes (Albert in a 3-4) is never a solution. Dan Snyder has to stop feeling pressure to win now, bite the bullet and look to long-term stability by building through the draft and acquiring more picks in each draft. Its a simple concept that you guys surely get, but it is also a discipline for a front-office to not get 'spend-happy', but more 'spend-savvy' with FA's...

All said, I hope it doesn't happen and that the 'Skins continue to fail in free agency each year while studs like Brian Orakpo fight the good fight...

Bruce Allen says McNabb signing wasn't a mistake

The fact is that at the time of the DMC5 signing it was a good trade. It did not work out. No one would have thought that DMC5 would not be the answer. He knew the NFC East and thought he would come in and dominate. he came in chubby and cocky and did not deliver. Philly let him go for a reason. he is on the down slope of his career. he had a good run and is a leader in the locker room. He now should become a #2 guy and show and teach a QB how to succed in this league. I don't know if the current QB's for the Redskins are the answer (Beck)( Grossman) but the organization as a whole is starting to build a team with character guys and professionalizm. As a diehard fan I hope it occurs soon!

Bruce Allen says McNabb signing wasn't a mistake

....i do think he handled himself with class when T Owens threw him under the bus

Unfotunately, I disagree with you. Living in Philadelphia, I got to see most of the inside stuff that fans of other teams didn't see. McNabb was passive aggressive and was as much a part of that situation as Terrell Owens. While I disagree with the way Owens acted, McNabb wasn't much better. He was jealous mid-way through the '04 season because Owens was receiving most of the attention, which led to him making a comment that the Eagles didn't need Owens to win the Super Bowl after Owens got injured.. Ultimately, it was that comments and McNabb's unwillingness to back Owens on a new contract that led to their rift.

Most people around the league say that McNabb's a good guy because he's never in trouble, but they don't know all the behind-the-scenes antics that he pulls. He's a thin-skinned, passive aggressive crybaby that whines and takes little jabs when he doesn't get his way. As an Eagles fan, I was ECSTATIC when they finally got rid of him and moved on to a QB with much better leadership skills and a guy that can complete passes consistently instead of killing earth worms on every throw.

The best thing for Washington would be to get rid of this passive aggressive locker room cancer and get a QB they can develop to lead that organization.

Bruce Allen says McNabb signing wasn't a mistake

I'll accept what Bruce Allen says about McNabb's signing, even if his statement seems on the surface to be at odds with the likelihood that Washington will change quarterbacks when the league resumes operations. And while the devoted Redskins fan in me still grates at having a QB whose identity is so tightly bound with our bitter NFC rivals in Philly, I thought having McNabb was better than sticking with Jason Campbell for another season.

Anybody think the owner would offer the same charitable words about signing Albert Haynesworth, though? While it's not really Haynesworth's fault, he's a poor match for their defensive scheme. And his resentment over that became a major impediment to the team as a whole. I'm guessing Allen hopes they can trade him this year to get a player better-suited to playing a 3-4 defense.

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