WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the biggest news to come out of Washington since the Health Care Bill passed, the Philadelphia Eagles traded Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb to their division rival Washington Redskins in a move that dropped the jaw of many NFL insiders around the league.

In return the Eagles will get this month’s Redskins 2nd round draft pick (37th overall) in the NFL Draft and another later round pick next year that will be determined later.

New Redskins coach Mike Shanahan signed Rex Grossman earlier in the year and with this move may be expected to move Jason Campbell who has been the starter for more than three seasons.

Shanahan takes over a team that underachieved last season and this move frees up the #4 overall pick to fill another hole on the team. Prior to this trade for McNabb, the Redskins were almost certain to take Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen with that selection.

When asked for an explanation for trading McNabb to a division rival they will be facing two times per year, Eagles’ coach Andy Reid said “You can’t say that we didn’t think about that. We did, but this was a decision that we thought was best for Donovan and, at the same time, the compensation was right for us. We certainly took into consideration Donovan’s feelings here, too.”

“I’m really excited about my future with the Washington Redskins,” said McNabb. “I’m eager to work with Coach Shanahan. He’s been a very successful coach with a couple of Super Bowl victories on his resume. While it’s been my goal to win a Super Bowl in Philadelphia, we came up short. I enjoyed my 11 years here and we shared a lot more good times than bad.”

In his 11 years donning green in the City of Brotherly Love, the 33-year-old McNabb is a 6-time Pro Bowler and guided the Eagles to one Super Bowl appearance and 5 NFC championship games. He holds most of the team’s records at his position including 32,873 yards passing, 2,801completions, a 59% completion percentage and 216 TD passes. On the ground the elusive slinger has rushed for 3,249 yards and 28 TDs.

Kevin Kolb is the new starter after only starting two games and Michael Vick goes into preseason expected to be the backup.

On paper it appears the Redskins got a steal in this move. Last season, McNabb had the 3rd highest QB rating in his career (92.9) and threw for 3,553 yards and 22 TDs.

Mike Shanahan is considered one of the elite minds in the NFL and may be able to convert the Redskins into a contender as soon as this upcoming season.

“Donovan is an accomplished quarterback who has been a proven winner in the National Football League,” said Shanahan. “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.”

Yes he does and that roadmap may also include a playoff match-up against his former Eagles and the fans in Philly who have long been screaming for his removal.

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