WASHINGTON — Donovan McNabb says it’s “hilarious” to think that he doesn’t know the Washington Redskins’ offensive playbook. Or that he has trouble calling plays in the huddle.
“That is hilarious to me. That is really funny to me,” McNabb said Tuesday during his weekly appearance on Washington, D.C.’s ESPN Radio. “For everyone who may not have heard any of this, it’s probably a shock to them.”
Those words aside, the six-time Pro Bowl quarterback spent most of his radio time trying to downplay the fallout from his benching in the final minutes of a loss to the Detroit Lions. Not surprisingly, McNabb said he was tired of the whole thing.
“It’s over to me, and I just look to move on,” he said.
Coach Mike Shanahan has offered varying explanations of the decision to bench McNabb, initially saying that backup Rex Grossman had a better grasp of the team’s two-minute offense. Shana-han later said McNabb’s sore hamstrings had kept the team from practicing the hurry-up attack and that he was concerned McNabb didn’t have the “cardiovascular endurance” to run it as effectively as Grossman.
McNabb said he was able to clear the air in talks with Shanahan and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. He said he was satisfied with what he heard.
“Yes, I’m satisfied,” McNabb said. “You get what you ask for, and after that you put it behind you and move on.”
McNabb remains the starter for the Redskins (4-4), who had a bye Sunday after the loss to Detroit. They resume play Monday night against McNabb’s old team, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Concussions for three Steelers.
Steelers safety Will Allen and running backs Mewelde Moore and Isaac Redman sustained concussions during Monday night’s game in Cincinnati and must pass post-concussion tests before being cleared to play.
Footnotes.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says the union has made its counterproposal to the owners’ plan for an 18-game regular season.
• Kicker Dave Rayner signed with the Lions, two days after Jason Hanson hurt his right knee in a 23-20 overtime loss to the New York Jets.
• The Green Bay Packers have activated rookie running back James Starks from the physically unable to perform list.
• Tennessee Titans players have voted unanimously to give the NFL Players Association the option of decertifying in the event of a lockout next year.
The Associated Press
