After rushing out to a quick division lead in the awfully weak NFC East, the Washington Redskins were looking like maybe Rex Grossman was right after all. But, the last two weeks haven’t gone exactly as planned.

As it was, the Redskins were not loaded with talent on offense. Two weeks ago, the lost to the Philadelphia Eagles and benched the same guy that said they were going to win the division this year. This week, they lost to an upstart Carolina Panthers team and have fallen to .500.

Oh, and they lost starting (debate that all you like, I know, it’s Shanahan) RB Tim Hightower this week to a torn ACL. So yeah, he’s done for the year and the team will have to ride Roy Helu and Ryan Torain for the rest of the season. Or, until…you know…they get hurt too.

So that’s not good. And in the passing game, they really only have two playmakers: Santana Moss and Fred Davis. Well, the former just broke his hand and will need surgery. Moss is expected to miss 5-7 weeks. Ouch.

But, there is good news, Redskins fans: Your coach is happy with the play of John Beck, who was really pedestrian in this week’s loss, but don’t tell him that.

“John’s a smart guy. John knows he has to go out there and concentrate on his job, make plays, and I thought he did a great job doing that,” the coach said. “Really proud of the way he played. That’s what he’s got to do. He made some plays with his feet, threw on the run, thought he handled himself well in the drop-back situation. Our goal now is to get a supporting cast around him that can play at a very high level. The better they play, the better he’ll play.”

This was Beck’s first start since 2007…for a reason. Beck is a marginal QB on his best day, but Shanahan is happy with that apparently. Grossman is the better quarterback, but Shanahan has to show everyone that he’s smarter than you.

Things aren’t looking good in D.C.

It was about a year ago that I sat in OTR’s very own, Micah Warren’s German luxury car (Volkswagen Jetta). We were headed to the range to hit some golf balls when I suggested an interesting, yet unlikely scenario. “The Eagles should make a move for Albert Haynesworth.”

It was evident that this guy was unhappy in Washington and first year head coach, Mike Shanahan, was switching to a 3-4 scheme. Among other things, pride slashed with an undoubtedly poor attitude left the Redskins with a very unhappy, very unmotivated and VERY expensive player for the year. That said, it wasn’t hard to assume Washington would look to move this guy either by trade or simply cutting him after the season.

Despite all this, I repeated my interest in acquiring his services. He is a big, dominant force in the middle who, when motivated, is one of, if not, the best DL in the league. I thought it made complete sense to give him a 2 year, incentive laden deal and an opportunity to rejuvenate his reputation and career. This was a specific position of need for the Eagles that could be filled and possibly exceeded with the addition. Still, I was called a fool and others wanted no part of my scenario.

Just curious: Who is one of Fat Albert’s main potential suitors once a CBA is reached? Who brought in his former tutor to coach the defensive line? More importantly, why is it accepted as a possibility now…when it was rejected vehemently when proposed in your German engineered sedan? Is it only worth considering when SportsCenter runs a VO on it or if Adam Schefter says its possible?

The 2010 MLB season came and went. The Phillies ran into the heavy arms of the S.F. Giants and were eliminated in the N.L. Championship Series. Despite trading for Roy Halladay and adding Roy Oswalt at the break, the Phightin’s came up short and were out classed on the mound. Is it any surprise that pitching wins championships? No. So even though they had a great rotation already, why is it so farfetched to think they would make a play for Cliff Lee?

I repeated myself over and over again that the Phillies could bring back Lee if they wanted to. Despite moving him to clear space for Halladay, the minute the trade went through to Seattle both Lee, the fans AND the Phillies knew something didn’t feel right. A fan favorite, who was at the top of his game, was moved across the country despite his relationship with the fans and outward desire to play in this city. So why wouldn’t the Phillies take a peek at the guy once he hit the open market?

If a few things happened, the Phillies would have just as good of, if not a better shot at signing the lefty. First, we all knew they would have to let Jayson Werth walk. Done. Second, they would have to find a suitor for Raul Ibanez’ contract. Third, they would need to rely on Lee taking a little less money. Plain and simple. Okay, so the Phillies decided to go over budget rather than find a new home for Ibanez, but all the right things happened prior to signing him. Very similar to how the Eagles are positioning themselves for Haynesworth (although not nearly at the same level).

So when news struck in the middle of the night that Cliff Lee signed a deal with the Phils, were you one of the ones completely caught off guard… or simply excited that your team took advantage of an opportunity in front of them? 

So why can’t Steven Stamkos become a Flyer? Ah, finally we’ve arrived at my point (EDITOR’S NOTE: Finally). I’m hearing nothing be negativity and doubt regarding the Flyers ability to sign Stamkos. He is 21 and arguably the 3rd best player in the game (behind Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby). So let’s address some of the facts.

Fact: Flyers would have to clear cap space
Fact: Whoever signs Stamkos to an offer sheet would have to give up four first-round draft picks
Fact: Tampa Bay owns his rights as a RFA so he would have to refuse the initial offers prior to July 1

To clear the cap space, the Flyers cleared up nearly $108 million in long-term contracts by dealing home grown studs Jeff Carter and captain Mike Richards. Cap space achieved.
In both of those trades the Flyers got young and talented. Highlighted the Richards deal was Braydon Schenn, the 5th-overall selection in 2009 and a guy nearly every team coveted. Thanks to the Carter trade, the Flyers scooped up Jakub Vorecek (6th overall in 2008) and also landed the 8th-overall pick this year.

With that selection, these guys got Sean Corturier. This guy was once ranked the #1 North American born skater and debated as the top overall pick. He slipped down to 8th where the Flyers bag an absolute steal. And let us not forget the 2007 No.2-overall selection in JVR.

So to recap, the Flyers now own the rights to the 2007 No. 2-overall pick, 2008 No. 6-overall pick, the 2009 No. 5-overall pick and the 2011 No. 8-overall pick. Signing Stamkos to an offer sheet at the expense of four future first-round draft picks doesn’t seem so extreme now…does it? They would be putting themselves in a great position to WIN now while securing youth for the future. Plus, if things go as expected, the picks would be at the bottom of the first round.

Finally, none of this is possible if Stamkos simply signs with TB prior to July 1st. How has that gone so far? In order for any of this to be possible, Stamkos and the Lightning have to come to an impasse on a new deal and allow him to test the waters. So far, the on again, off again talks have proven to provide just that.

Of course, if/when a team signs him to an offer sheet, TB has the right to match the deal. It is being reported that TB is offering around $7-7.5 million per season. Really? Crosby is getting upwards of $9 million/per and Ovechkin is just over $9 million/per. Do we really think this guy is going to sign for $7 million without at least letting other teams drive up that price tag? In addition, who says the Lighting can pay him top dollar even if they wanted to? Vinny Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis and Ryan Malone are all on the books for long-term, high-cap contracts. I didn’t see any of those guys get moved yet… did you?

So if a team, like the Flyers, would come in and offer part of the $108 million saved by moving Carter and Richards to Stamkos… do we really think TB can match it? In a curious move, the Flyers moved Darroll Powe earlier this week. Why? He wasn’t going to cost too much and was critical to the PK. Why make that move if you were trying to save every penny you could for a much larger plan?

Do we really think Snider isn’t eying up a big move? After all, he has given up control of the Sixers and has full attention on his prized baby. I’m not saying this is definitely happening, but what I am saying is… look at the facts. Teams, like the Flyers, can pull off a move like this if certain things fall in line. In fact, it’s really the only way moves like this get done. The Phillies took those moves, the Eagles are trying to make some moves and it appears the Flyers are doing the exact same thing.

THINK BIG!

By now you’ve probably heard the story that Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan claims that he asked Donovan McNabb to wear a wristband this past season so that he could remember the plays better. It was an entirely new offense for him after playing in the same system from 1999-2009. So, it doesn’t sound like it would be an unreasonable request.

Well, according to the Sports Junkies at 106.7 FM in D.C., Shanahan asked and McNabb refused to wear the wristband because it would make him look bad. In other words, he’d look dumb if he couldn’t remember the plays and had to have a guide on his arm.

This story makes McNabb look pretty bad. The guy who always claimed to be a leader, who just wanted to win and who would do anything it took to win? Now, he’s worried about his image regardless of whether it would have helped him and the team.

The story goes on where Dan Snyder then flips out at Shanahan for not being able to get him to wear it. If you’re the head coach, you make your players do things. There is also a theory that Snyder flipped out because if this happened during the tumultuous season, why is he just finding out now?

But anyway, in all of this McNabb looks bad.

Well, OTR spoke to a source close to McNabb who replied “no,” when we asked if there was any truth to this story.

“I find it amazing,” the source continued. “Only Donovan can be accused of being an Uncle Tom and 48 hours later be classified as defiant.”

We asked if Donovan was going to publicly defend himself on this topic and the source didn’t think he would.

“No,” the source said. “Donovan will stick with his policy of handling this kind of talk in house.”

We still don’t know who would stand to benefit from the wristband story getting out. The Redskins would be stupid to let something like that get out because it would hurt McNabb’s trade value. Is it possible that Shanahan made it up and that’s why Snyder was just now hearing about it? Was Shanahan trying to cover for his son Kyle yet again?

Anything is possible.

UPDATE: CSNWashington.com has also cited a team source as saying that the wristband story is not true and that he was never asked to wear it.

Washington Redskins QB Donovan McNabb has been doing some guest hosting or whatever for ESPN this week down in Dallas at the Super Bowl. As such, he’s getting asked about what is happening with him and the Redskins.

“As of right now, I’m definitely a Washington Redskin,” McNabb told Mike Tirico. “I signed a contract to be with them the next couple of years, and that’s the way I’m treating it as such. And I think the way of approaching it myself is to make sure that this offseason I focus on being a better quarterback and being ready for the 2011 season.”

Surely, McNabb can’t think that he’ll be with the team this season, can he? Has he even heard from the team at this point?

“I haven’t talked to them,” McNabb said. “On business aspects, that’s when Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen and Fletcher Smith — my agent — get a chance to sit down and talk that aspect. But for the physical standpoint, I’ll just make sure that I’m ready when the time comes if we are playing this year to be ready to step in and have fun.”

If everything is honky dory, what is there to discuss? McNabb has a contract already (year right).

“For Fletcher Smith, as well as Bruce and Mike, they’ll get a chance to sit down and iron some things out, and after the evaluation — they’ve been evaluating the last several weeks — hear their answer as to what we’re doing next,” McNabb said. “And we’ll go from there.”

Tirico then asked Donovan if he could return to Washington.

“Well, you know, there’s a lot of things that has to be answered for all parties,” he said. “At this particular time, I think it’s important for all parties to keep everything low right now. What’s less said is better and then from now on when the time comes to sit down, kind of iron it out and be able to move forward.”

Always the diplomat. Still, does anyone really think that he and the Shanahan’s can co-exist at this point? He knows they can’t.

Donovan McNabb’s agent, Fletcher Smith, came out recently and blasted the Washington Redskins and their treatment of his client. He said a bunch of stuff that we all knew that McNabb agreed with, but that the QB denied to offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.

“I believe there is tension between Donovan and Kyle that’s rooted in the fact that Donovan has suggested modifications to Kyle’s offense based on intricacies Donovan has learned in his NFL career,” Smith said. “For example, Donovan has asked all year that the team run more screen passes to help manage the pass rush more effectively. Ironically, Kyle decided to employ Donovan’s suggestions after he unceremoniously benched him on Sunday.”

Photo Caption: It probably went in the dirt.

“While Donovan’s feelings about Washington remain the same, the Shanahans -both Mike and more specifically Kyle – have made this an extremely difficult relationship to maintain,” Smith wrote. “Their comments have been beyond disrespectful and unprecedented for a six-time Pro Bowl quarterback such as Donovan.”

But now, McNabb has come out and stated that yes, he agrees with what his agent was saying (like we didn’t already know that).

“I support my agent and his thoughts,” McNabb said on ESPN 980.

“Would I like to be the quarterback here? Yes, absolutely,” he said. “Things would obviously have to change,” he added. “Relationships would have to be better. Conversations would have to be better.”

McNabb said that he went through Smith’s comments and was fine with them.

“When I read the whole thing, I didn’t see nothing wrong with it,” he noted with improper grammar.

So yeah, McNabb won’t be in Washinton next year.

This is crazy. Kelli Johnson of Comcast SportsNet is reporting that the Washingon Redskins will start Rex Grossman this week against the Dallas Cowboys. Yes, Donovan McNabb has been benched and apparently it’s not a popular decision.

“Just learned that Rex Grossman is starting over McNabb Sun in Dallas; I’m told Redskins Lockeroom is divided and guys are extremely upset.” she tweets.

This is just the latest piece of evidence that Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan either doesn’t know what he’s doing, or that he’s covering for his son Kyle’s shortcomings as an offensive coordinator.

The Redskins have a terrible offensive line. Their running game is poor because they thought going into training camp with Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson and Willie Parker was a good idea. How did that work out? Now, you are dealing with Keiland Williams and Ryan Torain (who isn’t terrible, but isn’t Chris Johnson either).

And how about weapons on the outside? Well, you have an aging Santana Moss, who is still a decent player. Anthony Armstrong? Joey Galloway was finally cut because he’s a speed guy who is almost 40-years old. Roydell Williams was out of football for two years.

How are the Redskins problems Donovan McNabb’s fault? He hasn’t played his best football, but he’s hardly been bad. He has absolutely not help, and that includes having an offensive coordinator with one year of experience.

It’s clear: Mike Shanahan has to go. From his decision to go into the year with three old running backs, to his handling of Albert Haynesworth, to his lying about benching McNabb, to his ultimate benching of McNabb…this guy is clearly overrated. His Super Bowls were a long time ago and Terrell Davis is nowhere to be found.

Things are ugly in Washington.

As if things couldn’t get uglier for Albert Haynesworth and the Washington Redskins. Now, the ‘Skins have suspended the big defensive tackle without pay for the final four games of the season for conduct detrimental to the team.

“#Redskins have suspended DL Albert Haynesworth without pay for the team’s next four games for conduct detrimental to the club,” tweets Matt Terl from the Redskins Blog, essentially repeating what I just said.

Haynesworth can appeal, so this isn’t exactly over. We knew that there were problems in D.C., but we didn’t know the Redskins had grounds for this. He allegedly showed up hung over to practice on Friday and was inactive for Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants. He also reportedly told GM Bruce Allen that he’d no longer speak to head coach Mike Shanahan. Yeah, it’s bad.

Whether it was one specific incident, or the totality of Albert’s nonsense, we don’t know. But, you have to figure Shanahan was dying to do this since training camp.

UPDATE: Yep, it was Haynesworth not wanting to talk to Shanahan anymore.

“Despite the club’s numerous attempts to persuade Albert Haynesworth to abide by the terms of his contract, he has repeatedly refused to cooperate with our coaching staff in a variety of ways over an extended period of time,” coach Mike Shanahan said in a team-issued release. “Among other things, he has consistently indicated to our defensive coaches that he refuses to play in our base defense or on first-down or second-down nickel situations. He has also refused to follow the instructions of our coaches both during weekly practices and during actual games as well.

“Yesterday, when Albert was at Redskin Park, he told our General Manager Bruce Allen that he [Haynesworth] would no longer speak with me,” Shanahan said. “Although suspending any player is not a decision that a head coach enters into lightly, I believe the situation has reached the point where the club clearly has no alternative.”

The situation with Albert Haynesworth down in Washington DC continues to get better. Benched against the New York Giants, there was speculation from a local radio station that there was a good chance that Haynesworth gets cut this week.

Several other media outlets reported that that wasn’t the case.

But, it came out that Haynesworth was benched for being sick on Friday (and showing up late) and not having a great practice Thursday. Shanahan said he wasn’t ready to play because of those things, but we know that’s total bullshit because this is Haynesworth’s ninth year in the league, and what could he possible need to know about the game plan as a pass-rushing defensive tackle?

So now, sources tell Kelli Johnson of Comcast Sportsnet that Haynesworth was “sick” on Friday because he showed up hung over. Missing a team meeting because you went out late the night before is generally considered unacceptable.

“Several team sources tell me that Haynesworth went out Thurs and showed up late fri, missed a team meeting & appeared 2 be “hungover”…,” Johnson tweets.

But, her next tweet has a response from Albert in it. As you can guess, he’s says it’s a bunch of crap.

“Haynesworth calls story total bs. Told me he went out Thurs but didn’t feel well so he went home early; also said there wasnt a team meeting,” she tweeted.

This is just a classic case of two people that don’t need to be together. Haynesworth has always had attitude issues and Shanahan clearly wants to cut him no slack. We’ll all be better off when the Redskins just cut the cord and admit that they paid him wayyyy too much money.

We were over at P.J. Whelihan’s in Cherry Hill, NJ Tuesday night for some Chase event with former Eagles players. It was a Q & A with pictures and autographs with G. Cobb, Brian Mitchell, Mike Quick, Ron Jaworski, Tra Thomas and Fred Barnett.

And of course when you talk about the Philadelphia Eagles, a certain former quarterback’s name always seems to come up. As you can imagine, the subject of Donovan McNabb and his benching were discussed, mainly because Mitchell is down in Washington D.C. and knows the score when it comes to the Redskins.

Fred Barnett asked Mitchell what the real reason was, since Barnett is like the rest of us and got seven different explanations.

“I don’t think they really know, because see this is this the thing,” Mitchell began. “I played 14 years in the NFL, every Friday during the season the two-minute offense was run. They didn’t run it for the last five weeks. So, is it Donovan or is it Mike Shanahan?”

“Ok, if you’re not practicing the two-minute offense, that means your backup isn’t practicing it also. So for you to say that your starting QB, who played 58 minutes and 15 seconds, doesn’t know the offense, while the other guy sitting on the sidelines, who had to find his helmet when they were calling him to go into the game…something is wrong with the whole picture.”

He was then asked by Cobb if it has anything to do with Kyle Shanahan.

“It has everything to do,” Mitchell replied. “Listen, your dad is the head coach and you’re the offensive coordinator. When you start screwing up your dad is going to try to protect your back, because he hired you. And that’s the whole deal. If Kyle wasn’t Mike’s son, they would be questioning the offensive coordinator position in D.C. Because when you have a terrible o-line and insist on seven-step drops, that’s just stupid on the offensive coordinator’s part.”

Photo Caption: Looks like Ansel Adams got an iPhone 4.

Mitchell makes some great points. He went on to note that Kyle Shanahan has been an offensive coordinator for one year and is still learning his way as well. Meanwhile, it’s Donovan that’s taking the fall publicly.

Mostly all of us were pretty shocked when Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan decided to bench QB Donovan McNabb for the final drive against the Detroit Lions last week. Rex Grossman went in, reached into his bag of tricks, and delivered a fumble returned for a TD.

McNabb hasn’t been great this year, but it’s not all his fault. He has a bad offensive line and poor weapons around him. But that said, he hasn’t played well.

And apparently, according to Jay Glazer of FoxSports.com, he’s been bad enough that Kyle Shanahan thought about benching him during his return trip to play the Philadelphia Eagles.

Ouch.

Keep in mind they won that game. But, how humiliating would that have been to McNabb? Benched in a game they were winning in a city where he was the lead dog for 11 years? That would have been rough.

It’s safe to say McNabb is one and done in Washington.

We knew that Washington Redskins RB Clinton Portis was banged up. But, we didn’t think it was this bad. Portis has been battling a groin injury and it looks like it’s going to keep him out a bit.

Mike Shanahan on Wednesday said that the running back will be out 4-6 weeks. He didn’t talk about putting him on injured reserve, but how can he not at least be thinking about it?

Ryan Torain is now in line for feature back duties. But, Keiland Williams was just brought back and he’ll likely be the No. 2 option behind Torain. Careful though regarding fantasy. Williams could become the feature back if the wind blows just the right way up Shanahan’s ass and he decides to make a change.

Remember before the season we couldn’t believe they had three aging tailbacks in Portis, Larry Johnson and Willie Parker? Now, they have Torain, Williams and Chad Simpson. Going with old running backs seems to be a bad idea now.

Despite the ongoing saga of Albert Haynesworth vs. Washington Redskins, it seems that Haynesworth will actually play on Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys, a source tells Jason Reid of the Washington Post. There were previous rumors that he would be inactive.

A separate source tells Reid that, while he doesn’t know if he will start, that Haynesworth will be moved back to nose tackle. We don’t know if it’s permanent or if it was done to piss Albert off, but it’s definitely a change from him playing end in the 3-4 as he had most of training camp (when he was allowed to participate). The source also says that he’ll be taken out during nickel situations.

We can’t keep up with all of this. We know that Shanahan doesn’t approve of Haynesworth’s complaining and holding out of voluntary activities. But, you paid a guy all this money to have him on the field for two downs? He’s one of the best interior rushers in the NFL (when he wants to be) and you are using him like this?

Shanahan better have a method to all of this. Otherwise this is – yet again – a huge waste of Redskins’ time and resources.

Just when we thought all was fine in Redskinland, we have an incident. We all know about Albert Haynesworth skipping the offseason workouts for the Washington Redskins and him not wanting to play in the 3-4 and Shanahan failing him in conditioning tests and so on.

But, Haynesworth seemed to be ok with the new scheme and came out a while ago supporting the 3-4 defense. Now? He has other issues.

He couldn’t practice this earlier this week because of dehydration. Shanahan essentially called that nonsense. Then, he was held out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday because of headaches. Apparently, he feels like they are holding back injury information on him.

“I was told I had ‘headaches’ or whatever and that’s why I couldn’t go out and practice,” he said, clearly letting everyone know that the fact that they called them “headaches” was total crap. “I think it was a little bit more than that.”

Haynesworth then said, “[Headaches] was part of that but it wasn’t all of it. They left out a lot of stuff.”

What were the real reasons you were held out?

“You would have to ask them,” he said.

On Saturday night against the Baltimore Ravens, Haynesworth was out there in the third quarter with the backups and he didn’t appreciate it.

“I’m a ninth year pro,” he said. “I don’t think I should have been out there in the third quarter, but having ‘headaches’ again, that’s what they wanted to do.”

Shanahan said Haynesworth did some work on the treadmill on Friday just so he’d be able to play in the Ravens game.

“He wasn’t going to be able to play with the first or second team for obvious reasons,” Shanahan said. “He’s going to have to earn his way into that group, and once we get him into football shape, then we’ll get him some playing time. We’ll see how he did and evaluate that.”

Haynesworth was asked why he thinks they’d do this to him.

“I guess to make me look bad for not going to their off-season conditioning program,” Haynesworth said. “Next year, I’m not coming either … I don’t know what’s going on, but I’ve never seen anything like this.”

If you are in the Redskins organization, this is a disaster. If you are a league observer, it is downright hysterical. Stay tuned for Shanny’s next move.

The Washington Redskins seem to think that Super Bowls are won by signing a ton of cooked RB’s. We can’t really blame them, since they’ve won Super Bowls with the likes of Timmy Smith and George Rogers. Smith wasn’t cooked, but he was never really even prepped for the frying pan. He wasn’t passed his prime, he simply never had one.

Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan recently said that Clinton Portis is the starting RB “heading into training camp.” That could change of course with the likes of Larry Johnson and Willie Parker on the roster. We don’t know what those two are brining to the table at this point, but we could say the same about Portis too.

So, why not add another cooked RB to the roster? The team had Brian Westbrook in for a visit about a month ago, but nothing happened. Now, it seems that they have offered him a contract.

“We want him to sign with us,” Shanahan said. “Like I said, it could be some great competition. I really like Brian, what he’s done and how he’s handled himself. I’m sure he’s weighing some options. It’s not too far away from home. Any more I can do?”

Whether or not Westbrook cares to be a Redskin remains to be seen. He’s clearly not a hot commodity on the free agent market, but who would want to join that backfield? They could promise him three touches a game?

Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan scoffed at the notion that the team is trying to move obnoxious DT Albert Haynesworth. Haynesworth has been clear that he does not like the transition to the 3-4 defense. The Redskins have been clear as well. As in, with their checks. Their $21 million checks clear.

“There is nothing to clarify. It is just speculation,’ Shanahan said Friday. “He’s part of the organization. I am just looking for him to come in and work and be like everyone else. No, we’re not going to trade him at all, unless someone gives us something we would have to consider — that’s pretty standard with any player on your roster. He’s a pretty smart guy. He’s really talented. I think I can get that out of him.”

We think this is just posturing. If the Redskins could move Haynesworth for any kind of value, we think they would. And the more annoying he becomes, the less they’ll be willing to take.

The Washington Redskins seem to be revamping their clubhouse in a very positive way and it all started with bringing coach Mike Shanahan on board and then trading for Donovan McNabb last Sunday.

Now it’s time to get rid of the fat and what better place to start then defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth?  Per NFL.com’s Jason LaCanfora, Haynesworth has a “strained relationship” with many teammates and has “not made a good first impression” on Shanahan.  Therefore, coach wants to deal him before the draft to improve the culture at Redskins Park.

In the 2009 offseason, Daniel Snyder opened his wallet, and then opened a bunch more of his wallets, and signed Haynesworth to a seven-year, $100 million contract, $41 million guaranteed.  The Redskins recently picked up his $21 million option bonus, but that doesn’t seem to be holding the Redskins back in attempting to ship their defensive tackle if they can find a buyer.

Having paid the $21 million bonus, Haynesworth’s contract is essentially reduced to a three-year, $16 million deal, with $9 million guaranteed (per profootballtalk.com).  That’s definitely a reasonable price for an NFL team to take on.  If traded, the Redskins would definitely ask for some money in return from the bonus being paid.

The first waive of interested parties for Haynesworth’s services are, Tennessee, St Louis, Detroit, Tampa Bay, and Jacksonville.

While the actual press conference welcoming Donovan McNabb to the Washington Redskins won’t happen until Monday, the ‘Skins did release a comment from new head coach Mike Shanahan. Shanahan will be Donovan’s second head coach in 11 years.

“Donovan is an accomplished quarterback who has been a proven winner in the National Football League,” Shanahan said. “I have long admired his competitiveness and feel he will be an outstanding addition to the Redskins and our community. He knows our division and the roadmap to success in the NFC East. He will set a high standard of excellence and we are very excited to welcome Donovan to the Washington Redskins.”

Yeah, he knows the division. As in “he knows the Eagles.” As in, he knows the Eagles’ offense in and out right now. Shanahan just acquired a guy who knows the Eagles offense probably the second best of anyone on the entire planet.

A league source tells Jason Reid of the Washington Post that Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan wants to use the fourth-overall pick on a young QB for him to develop. This means that he is thinking like everyone else in the 202 area code that Jason Campbell is not the answer.

Photo Caption: “Wish I left last year.”

Several mock drafts (which mean absolutely nothing) have tied the Redskins to Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford with their first pick. We’ve seen others that have Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen in there as well. We think it’s safe to say that there is no chance in hell that Shanahan would throw the Redskins further into the muck by drafting Florida’s Tim Tebow.

In a surprising twist at the end of Washington’s season, the Redskins organization has chosen to cut ties with head coach Jim Zorn.

PHOTO CAPTION:  “What do I care, I still got paid.”

Zorn was viewed by many to be the best coach in the toughest division in football, the NFC East.  Although he was 4-12 this season and 12-20 combined for the past two seasons, Zorn was said to be the rock holding the Redskins organization together.

With the firing of Zorn taking place earlier this morning, owner Daniel Snyder now can focus on luring in Mike Shanahan to be the next coach of the sorry Washington franchise.  But whoever is hired as the next coach, fans can expect a complete overhaul of a roster filled with players with no heart or talent.

For the record, what happened in Washington was not Jim Zorn’s fault.  Right Daniel Snyder?

Foxsports.com’s John Czarnecki reports that Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder has already approached Mike Shanahan about coaching the team. We know that Jim Zorn is all but dead down in D.C., but Snyder apparently wants to perform the burial sooner rather than later.

“Word has it Snyder approached former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan in the offseason to be his head coach and has made another attempt during the season, only to be rebuffed both times,” Czarnecki writes.

I don’t think anyone believes that Zorn will be back next season. The only real question is whether he can last through 2009. But the fact that Shanahan said no twice is telling. Why on Earth would you want to work for Dan Snyder? Despite being owed millions by former boss Pat Bowlen, supposedly Shanahan does want to return to the sidelines, but he’d like to wait until after the season where he can weigh all of his options.

Our guess is that Washington would be on the lower end of his options.