National Football League

McNabb takes shots at Redskins coach Shanahan

Published Mar. 29, 2012 10:38 p.m. ET

foxsports

Former Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb wonders whether Washington coach Mike Shanahan will be able to get the most out of Robert Griffin III if, as expected, the team drafts the Heisman Trophy winner.

During an appearance Thursday on ESPN2's ''First Take,'' McNabb was asked whether Shanahan is a good fit for the Baylor quarterback known as RG3.

''No,'' McNabb replied. ''I say that because a lot of times ego gets too involved when it comes to being in Washington.''

He played for Shanahan in Washington in 2010, when the Redskins went 6-10, the QB was benched twice, and there were testy exchanges involving McNabb's agent and the team.

''I was misused. Absolutely,'' McNabb said.

He said that Eagles coach Andy Reid adapted his offense to McNabb when he was drafted, but thinks Shanahan - and his son, Kyle, Washington's offensive coordinator - might not do that for Griffin.

''Are you going to cater the offense around his talent and what he's able to do? Or are you going to bring the Houston offense?'' McNabb asked, a reference to the younger Shanahan's work with the Texans.

He also suggested Mike Shanahan could get fired if things don't go well next season. The head coach is 11-21 so far with the Redskins. The team pulled off a blockbuster trade with the St. Louis Rams to move up to the No. 2 overall pick in next month's draft and is expected to get Griffin.

''If this doesn't work this year - we don't see the splash, like a Cam Newton splash - this could be it,'' McNabb said.

McNabb said other quarterbacks haven't been successful under Shanahan, including Rex Grossman and John Beck with the Redskins, and Brian Griese with the Broncos.

After the Redskins traded McNabb to the Minnesota Vikings, he went 1-5 as a starter last season before being waived. He played 11 seasons with the Eagles, taking them to one Super Bowl.