ES: Art Monk talks Donovan McNabb

[themurf]

(photo by Brian Murphy)

The decision by the Washington Redskins to acquire quarterback Donovan McNabb from the Philadelphia Eagles has been met with mixed emotions by ‘Skins fans.

Some fans are thrilled with the move to bring in an elite player such as McNabb, who has won two thirds of the games he’s played in over an 11-season career. Other fans have a hard time suddenly cheering for a player that comes to town from a hated rival. And another faction with the fanbase has nothing against McNabb, they just wish the Redskins would value draft picks and stop trading them away for aging veterans.

Regardless of what category you fall in, the one thing all ‘Skins fans should be happy about is the way this trade has been received within the locker room. Before many of the players had even had the chance to meet their newest teammate, they liked the move enough to attend McNabb’s introductory press conference.

Current players such as Chris Cooley, DeAngelo Hall, Carlos Rogers, Justin Tryon, Mike Sellers and even Clinton Portis freed up their schedule to show their support for McNabb.

If that’s not enough, Hall of Famer Art Monk also made a rare appearance at Redskins Park to take in the moment. The usually reserved Monk liked the move enough that he even agreed to do a few select interviews with local media. After the press conference, we caught up with one of the greatest players in Redskins history to get his perspective on the trade and more importantly, to get his thoughts on the marriage of McNabb and the Redskins.

How strange was it to see Donovan McNabb, a player who this town has been trained to despise for more than a decade now, holding up his new burgundy and gold jersey?

“Well, I think we’re all kind of used to this type of change,” Monk said. “As players you know you can be one place one minute and another place the next. Even though we may have been enemies and opponents over the years, we’ve always respected him as a player. Now to have him be part of us, we know what his capabilities are, so we’re excited to have him.”

We’re old school, so we miss the days when a player spent his entire career on one team. In fact, to this day we pretend you only ever played for the Redskins …

(Laughs.)

You’re a Hall of Fame receiver who obviously knows a little bit about the game of football. What does McNabb bring to the Redskins?

“He’s a proven quarterback,” said Monk. “He’s a class guy. He’s not a ****y guy and he’s not about himself. He’s about team and really helping his team to succeed and do well. He brings a level of leadership and those qualities that we’ve lacked in recent years. He really is the total package. Even though he’s 33-years-old, he still has some good years left. We really are excited to have him here.”

Obviously his resume is impressive with six Pro Bowls, playing in five NFC title games and everything else. You know this team pretty well, so let us ask – when was the last time the Redskins had a top-10 talent at quarterback on the level of McNabb?

“Probably Mark Rypien,” he said. “I think Rypien was there. Probably Doug Williams. Definitely Joe Theismann. I think those guys were the last top quarterbacks to play at that elite level for us.”

Sounds like you have a ton of respect for McNabb. Would you have loved to play alongside him?

“Absolutely,” said Monk. “I put him in the same class as those guys. He knows the game. He studies off the field. He works hard. He can throw the ball. He knows what he’s doing and he’s got the leadership skills to help direct his offense down the field.”

What you’re basically saying is ‘Skins fans have a legitimate reason to be optimistic about this move and next season now, right?

“I think it’s safe to say that, yes,” Monk said. “Of course, as Donovan would say, this is not a one-man game. It takes the other 10 players surrounding him doing their part and everyone working together to make it work. But yes, this gives us reason to be excited.”

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[KDawg]

Great article and insight...

But what's with this 'we' stuff? Something you want to tell us, Murf?

[Mr. Sinister]

Very good read. Just get some fatboys in here and we'll be ready to rock and roll.

[Commander Adama]

I love Art Monk!! Phew. There I said it. Is there a support group out there for people like me?

[Rhodus333]

I'd believe the sky was green if Art Monk told me it was

[Rocky21]

Murf, how did it feel talking with Art Monk? (I'd **** myself.)

It's nice to hear him refer to the Redskins as us.

[KingGibbs]

Murf. I don't know what you do for a living, but you truly are a gifted writer.

The greatest attributes that Donovan has are his leadership and the respect he commands from his teammates. I was watching Comcast and they were showing the weight room and you could see how excited his teammates were and I'm talking both defensive and offensive players. Devin Thomas cracked me up because he followed Donovan everywhere he went.

[LD0506]

You simply have to accept this as significant. Art Monk speaks to the media so rarely that when he does, you listen.

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

Of course, an ex-Eagle like Art Monk is going to support McNabb.

[themurf]

Great article and insight...

But what's with this 'we' stuff? Something you want to tell us, Murf?

When I first came on board six years ago, the "legitimate media" types looked down on ES folks for being "homers" and "fanboys." The overwhelming opinion from those guys at first was that because we actually care who wins and who loses the games, we shouldn't be anywhere near the press box.

So, I created Homer McFanboy as a site to give fans a voice. I never understood why we, as fans, shouldn't be allowed to cheer for our teams. They might have thought being a homer was a negative, but I'm proud to be a fan of the Redskins (even if I don't necessarily agree with every decision the organization makes).

Like I've said before, the site isn't about me. It's about being a fan of the local sports teams. I'm fortunate enough to have access to the Redskins and Capitals, so the site helps me to share with other fans what I see and what I hear. Little things like using "we" instead of "me" are how I attempt to keep the spotlight off of me so people can instead focus on the actual content. Make sense?

[themurf]

Murf, how did it feel talking with Art Monk? (I'd **** myself.)

It's nice to hear him refer to the Redskins as us.

I'm not going to lie, on the way home from Redskins Park I called my brother and said, "If I never do another interview in my life, I can die happy. I just interviewed Art 'Freaking' Monk."

He is absolutely my favorite professional athlete on all time. I have his autograph in my basement. Even when I covered his Hall of Fame press conference and induction, I never got to say a word to him because he shies away from the spotlight. I talked to Gary Clark, Charles Mann and others, but not Monk.

Even when I walked up to him after the McNabb presser, I expected him to politely decline. He's just not comfortable speaking with the media. When I introduced myself and asked if he had a minute to chat, I couldn't believe he actually said yes. Absolutely one of the coolest moments I've ever had covering sports.

[themurf]

Murf. I don't know what you do for a living, but you truly are a gifted writer.

The greatest attributes that Donovan has are his leadership and the respect he commands from his teammates. I was watching Comcast and they were showing the weight room and you could see how excited his teammates were and I'm talking both defensive and offensive players. Devin Thomas cracked me up because he followed Donovan everywhere he went.

Thank you very much. That's very kind of you to say. I've been a photojournalist for 15 years, so I'm lucky that I can be a fan of the Redskins and still switch into "be a professional" mode when it's time to go to work.

[KDawg]

When I first came on board six years ago, the "legitimate media" types looked down on ES folks for being "homers" and "fanboys." The overwhelming opinion from those guys at first was that because we actually care who wins and who loses the games, we shouldn't be anywhere near the press box.

So, I created Homer McFanboy as a site to give fans a voice. I never understood why we, as fans, shouldn't be allowed to cheer for our teams. They might have thought being a homer was a negative, but I'm proud to be a fan of the Redskins (even if I don't necessarily agree with every decision the organization makes).

Like I've said before, the site isn't about me. It's about being a fan of the local sports teams. I'm fortunate enough to have access to the Redskins and Capitals, so the site helps me to share with other fans what I see and what I hear. Little things like using "we" instead of "me" are how I attempt to keep the spotlight off of me so people can instead focus on the actual content. Make sense?

Makes tons of sense, but you have to remember not all fans are going to agree with you when you add the 'we'. To me, it reads like you have a multiple personality disorder, although I totally get what you're doing with it. You have a gift for writing and it only makes sense you'd try to take the spotlight off of yourself because that seems to be the kind of guy you are.

At any rate, I didn't mean to take anything away from you. This is a very good piece and some great information.

And just for the record, I agreed with all you said in the article

[sideshow24]

Murf. I don't know what you do for a living, but you truly are a gifted writer.

I have to agree. It is refreshing to read an article that draws attention to the subject instead of the author.

[KingGibbs]

I have to agree. It is refreshing to read an article that draws attention to the subject instead of the author.

That's a great way to put it. It just seems to come to him naturally.

[authentic]

I'm not going to lie, on the way home from Redskins Park I called my brother and said, "If I never do another interview in my life, I can die happy. I just interviewed Art 'Freaking' Monk."

He is absolutely my favorite professional athlete on all time. I have his autograph in my basement. Even when I covered his Hall of Fame press conference and induction, I never got to say a word to him because he shies away from the spotlight. I talked to Gary Clark, Charles Mann and others, but not Monk.

Even when I walked up to him after the McNabb presser, I expected him to politely decline. He's just not comfortable speaking with the media. When I introduced myself and asked if he had a minute to chat, I couldn't believe he actually said yes. Absolutely one of the coolest moments I've ever had covering sports.

Wow, thats great man.....Plus i'm glad to see that there are those that actually support this move with opened arms. Good work as always.

[authentic]

I was watching Comcast and they were showing the weight room and you could see how excited his teammates were and I'm talking both defensive and offensive players. Devin Thomas cracked me up because he followed Donovan everywhere he went.

Yeah, i saw that as well. Mcnabb just seems like a natural leader - confident, charasmatic, hard worker. In that comcast clip they showed him even cracking up with the trainers. I can't wait for minicamp next Friday, i hope the ES staff will be able to cover it.

[Santana_89]

Of course' date=' an ex-Eagle like Art Monk is going to support McNabb.[/quote']

There's also the Syracuse connection,but honestly I believe Art knows that Donovan brings been something that we've needed for far too long LEADERSHIP and the ability to get the job done as starting QB. That's one thing I never understood why in all the free agents signing we've had why we were not trying to aggressively landa franchise qb??...guess that's water under the bridge now.

Again welcome to DC Donovan:helmet:

[SauzzBozz]

great read!!! Nice to see Monk agreeing with this. Im hoping it all works out for the best. Thanks for the share and keep it up!

[redskins55]

Great interview Murf..

I checked out the video on Comcast Sports Net, and Art mentioned that he was very reluctant to answer questions regarding the Redskins QB situation because he feels like Campbell has done a good job. But he felt that McNabb brings that extra something to the table that can get "us" to the next level. (Gotta love when he says "us" makes you feel like he's still playing) lol That says alot coming from a player who has seen alot in the game of football.

If your not sold on McNabb now that Monk has spoken, there is no hope for you!

[hogs87]

Murf I am so jealous of you right know. This kind of reminds me of the feeling I had when I had Joe Gibbs autograph my Art Monk jersey at the '07 Draft Day Party. Know if I can only get Art Monk himself to autograph my jersey. PS Hey Murf buy looking at your location, In Chris Farley voice: do you live in a van down by the river?

[ucfSKINS]

I love Art Monk!! Phew. There I said it. Is there a support group out there for people like me?

If there is, can I join? Art is my idol. If he told me to jump off a cliff, or worse, root for the cowpukes, I would do it. Yeah, its like that

[FLRedskins]

Give Art a contract

[Readyskins]

You gotta love Art Monk.

But seriously, people, why all the angst?

McNabb is good, and it's clear that we need leadership in the QB position. It's not like we haven't trade players with the Eagles before. What I hate worse is when we give THEM somebody good.

[aussieskin]

I am so jealous and envious of you mate, but keep up the good work, i really do enjoy your posts.