The quarterback holding the burgundy No. 5 Washington Redskins jersey was Donovan McNabb. From everything that was said, it might have been simpler to just go ahead and call him John Elway II.
The six-time Pro Bowl star was formally introduced Tuesday as Redskins Park. All things being equal, he would rather be preparing for a 12th season with the Philadelphia Eagles, but an Easter Sunday trade between NFC East rivals has opened what he called "a new chapter in the book of Donovan."
"I've always believed in finishing where you started," McNabb said. "I think there's a lot to be said with that. Not a lot of quarterbacks in this league are able to do that these days. Sometimes change is better. Sometimes you're forced into change. I would have loved to [stay in Philadelphia], but it didn't happen."
Instead, he is with the Redskins and new coach Mike Shanahan, and both went to great lengths to say that trading two draft picks for a 33-year-old quarterback with a few nicks is a solid investment. They did so by repeatedly invoking Elway, who was 34 when Shanahan became coach of the Broncos in 1995.
"I'm turning 34 this year," McNabb said. "And he finished John's career with two Super Bowls. Hopefully I can continue to follow behind that."
Redskins looking to deal Haynesworth
Not long after paying defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth's bonus with one of the largest checks in NFL history, the Redskins are actively attempting to trade the Pro Bowler before the draft, people familiar with the situation said.
Coach Mike Shanahan has instructed General Manager Bruce Allen to identify potential destinations for Haynesworth, whom the Redskins paid a $21 million bonus April 1, and the Redskins have talked with multiple teams about the eight-year veteran. The Redskins declined to comment.
