(with all due respect to the CSN correspondent quoted below, you cannot beat Mama McNabb for trenchant analysis)

If you were amongst those stunned to Rex Grossman throw 4 TD passes, acquitting himself rather nicely in Washington’s 33-30 loss to Dallas last Sunday, credit should go to an unlikely source.  According to agent Fletcher Smith, Grossman’s surprising performance was the partial result of the strategic acumen of the man he replaced, the (inexplicably) benched Donovan McNabb.  From CSN Washington’s Ryan O’Halloran :

œThere have been reports leaked of Donovan not being in shape and not being able to grasp Kyle™s offense, Smith said. œUnfortunately it appears as though the Redskins coaching staff decided that their 12-year veteran quarterback, who flawlessly executed one of the NFL™s most complex offense [in Philadelphia], is unable to grasp Kyle™s offense.”

Smith™s statement said friction between McNabb and Kyle Shanahan developed after McNabb made suggestions about the offense, œbased on intricacies Donovan has learned in his NFL career. 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.

Rex Grossman passed for 322 yards and tied a career high with four touchdowns in last week™s loss at Dallas. Thirteen of his pass attempts (not counting a late-game spike) did not cross the line of scrimmage. Grossman was still sacked five times.