Andrew Luck theory: After the bye, did Shanahan tank the Redskins season on purpose? Was there hidden purpose in the McNabb extension?

[Atlanta Skins Fan]

Mike Shanahan famously benched McNabb in the closing minutes of the Lions game: a clear demonstration of frustration with his starting QB.

Two weeks later, and with the bye to think about it, the Redskins gave McNabb a huge contract extension in the hours before the Eagles game. On closer examination, the contract apparently gives the team annual opportunities to release McNabb at little cost.

So, what happened over the bye?

We know what has happened *since* the bye: the Redskins went from possible contender to a blundering mess. Eagles blowout was the opening act. A surprising win against the Titans is followed by a loss to the Vikings and a blowout by the Giants. The best defensive player is held back with a mysterious achilles injury. The starting left tackle is held out of the Giants starting lineup, in addition to Haynesworth. Then Haynesworth is suspended, after more friction with Shanahan.

What's going on here? A lot of smart people are starting to call out Shanahan and Bruce Allen for fielding a team whose progress from the Zorn era is hard to measure. I'm not one of them, for a variety of reasons.

One reason is a simple theory. What if Shanahan and Allen are a whole lot smarter than anyone dares imagine? What if Shanahan concluded over the bye that McNabb was simply not going to be "that guy" (i.e., Shanahan's next John Elway), and that the Redskins needed to define a strategy for landing the next franchise QB of the future, as priority #1? What if the target turned out to be Andrew Luck? What then?

If you were coach of the Redskins and you decided over the bye to go after Andrew Luck, the events since that time are relatively consistent with such a strategy. Sure, the Skins did beat the Titans, but the Titans helped that to happen by failing to field a QB in the 4th quarter. The McNabb contract extension and details, the blowouts to the Eagles and the Giants, the handling of injuries, and the handling of Haynesworth ... are all consistent with a plan to draft Andrew Luck.

They won't win the race for the #1 pick in the draft. But, the Redskins might land a top 6 pick. And, when you're trying to trade up to #1, it sure helps to be able to throw Donovan McNabb into your offer for the #1 pick. Especially with that nice contract extension you arranged over the bye.

The way to trade for the #1 pick is to offer a good QB with a good contract to the team holding the #1 pick, as part of the package. That's real value. Now think about that contract again. A curious contract by its timing, or an incredibly savvy play, looking months ahead to the draft?

Mike Shanahan and Bruce Allen, you've got my vote of confidence. Especially if I'm right.

[ATLredskin]

I once had a Andrew Luck theory when the Cowboys had one win. Thank God they won a couple games since...

[ACW]

Is Luck even that good? I didn't see many Stanford games, and he's only 27 in YPG.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

I love your posts because they are so well thought out and interesting. I don't see the conspiracy theory here, but it's intriguing nonetheless.

[Dukes and Skins]

Is Luck even that good? I didn't see many Stanford games, and he's only 27 in YPG.

Let me put it this way here ACW Luck has the chance to be a Peyton Manning type QB in this league he's that good. Don't let the YPG fool you he runs a true pro style offense at Stanford and the leaps he's taken from his freshman year to now are astronomical and he's showing things you don't see in a RS Soph. Great poise, escapeability, Arm strength, Accuracy and leadership.

[Hunter_R]

I thought Locker was the one everyone was drooling over last year.

Pretty stupid to do all that when he could have traded up for Bradford this year.

[KDawg]

No one is going to trade for Donovan McNabb to be their franchise quarterback. Anyone picking as early as Carolina, Buffalo, etc. are a lot more away than a quarterback, especially one who's going to be on the wrong side of 35 soon. If you have a shot at Andrew Luck, you take him. You don't trade him away for Donovan McNabb.

[Hitman21ST]

We don't need a QB just yet. We need a new C, a NT, some LBs, some DBs, and a WR or two. Granted we will be able to address some of that in FA (Vincent Jackson or Larry Fitz FTW!!!), but we'll get grabbing some guys who put their hand in the grass in the first or second round, and probably a LB with the other pick.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

My theory there to your post opening is Kyle, not Mike, got McNabb benched in Detroit. He had his fathers ear. And your not getting Luck unless your drafting top three, probably top one. We aren't. And we have WAY too pressing needs to even contemplate trading up.

Hail.

[Dukes and Skins]

I thought Locker was the one everyone was drooling over last year.

Pretty stupid to do all that when he could have traded up for Bradford this year.

Because the Rams wanted Bradford and unless we gave up the whole world we weren't going to get him. They wanted Bradford and everyone knew that even though they were posturing like they would be more than happy to move down.

[Hitman21ST]

Let me put it this way here ACW Luck has the chance to be a Peyton Manning type QB in this league he's that good. Don't let the YPG fool you he runs a true pro style offense at Stanford and the leaps he's taken from his freshman year to now are astronomical and he's showing things you don't see in a RS Soph. Great poise, escapeability, Arm strength, Accuracy and leadership.

Is it a sure things he's even going to be entering the draft this year?

[Dukes and Skins]

Is it a sure things he's even going to be entering the draft this year?

It's not a sure thing but it would be stupid IMO if he didn't enter this years draft. He's a sure fire #1 pick in this class but in the 2012 class you have 3 very good QB prospects also with Barkley, Gabbert, and Murray while this year is just Luck and no one else who can come close to comparing

[KDawg]

Is it a sure things he's even going to be entering the draft this year?

Absolutely not. I've heard reports that he stays if Harbaugh stays.

[Hitman21ST]

Absolutely not. I've heard reports that he stays if Harbaugh stays.

Plus, coming out as a sophomore isn't exactly the best idea for a player.

[Dukes and Skins]

Plus, coming out as a sophomore isn't exactly the best idea for a player.

You never know the intelligence and poise he shows already is that of a senior, he's some thing special and is some thing we might not see for a while at QB. We see very good QB's like Sam Bradford but we don't see great ones like Andrew Luck a lot