Hail! magazine: Back to the Future (Issue #3)

[themurf]

[Editor's note: The new issue of Hail! magazine is out, and in it there is a special treat for Redskins fans. I was fortunate enough to have an in-depth one-on-one interview with Sonny Jurgensen about the Donovan McNabb trade and how it will impact the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles. Needless to say, Jurgensen was amazingly candid and gave me some great quotes. Here is a preview of the feature story.]

When the Philadelphia Eagles traded quarterback Donovan McNabb to the Washington Redskins, it was a franchise-defining moment for two of the NFL’s most storied teams.

The Eagles were willingly turning the page on the face of their franchise, while the Redskins were acquiring a quarterback whose career numbers far surpassed anyone who has ever donned the burgundy and gold.

What happens next for these two rival franchises largely depends on McNabb. Can Philadelphia adequately replace him? Does he still have enough in the tank to turn the Redskins around? We’re about to find out.

And, while the trade was formally announced on April 4, this story actually begins 46 years earlier.

That’s when the Eagles traded quarterback Sonny Jurgensen to the Redskins in exchange for quarterback Norm Snead, who was five years younger, April 1, 1964. After seven seasons in Philadelphia, Jurgensen was deemed expendable and traded to the rival Redskins. Sound familiar?

Of course, anyone familiar with Jurgensen’s body of work knows he went on to have a highly-productive career in Washington and the five-time Pro Bowler was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983. So, in hindsight, maybe it wasn’t Philadelphia’s brightest moment trading him to a divisional rival.

“Honestly, when I saw the trade, my first thought was ‘Those people from Philly never learn,’” said Jurgensen.

“First of all, I could not understand why Philadelphia made the decision to take the worst team in their division – a team that was 4-12 a year ago – and give them a veteran quarterback, an all-pro quarterback that made them significantly better,” he continued. “As it was, that was basically two wins for Philadelphia, so I could not understand it.

“Unless they know something I don’t, why would Philly give away their starting quarterback and make the Redskins that much better overnight,” Jurgensen asked. “He’ll be 34 years old this year, so if he can stay healthy he’s going to be very productive for the Redskins. Also, he’s made them a much better football club because he’s given them a level of leadership that they didn’t have. There’s no question, this is something that is definitely going to make the Redskins a better football team.”

The Redskins, you might remember, were one of the laughingstocks of football a year ago. Jim Zorn, the team’s head coach, knew more about dodgeball and slip-n-slides than playcalling, which is why the front office scoured retirement homes across the country for a suitable replacement.

If that’s not enough, there was drama galore within the locker room. If the rumors are accurate, then Redskins Park fostered a dysfunctional environment where some players received special treatment by running to the front office when things didn’t go their way.

With all of that going on, it’s no wonder the Redskins routinely lost games before even taking the field. That’s why everyone associated with the franchise is so genuinely excited to have professionals like head coach Mike Shanahan and McNabb on board.

“He’s a proven quarterback,” said Hall of Fame receiver Art Monk of McNabb. “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.”

To read the rest of this feature click here and subscribe to Hail! magazine.

[themurf]

In addition to my article on Donovan McNabb, there's also plenty of other great content in our third issue, including:

- Amazing photos and coverage of all of the action from the Redskins season-opening victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

- David Elfin shares the story of how he was able to do his part to get Russ Grimm elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

- Columnist Thom Loverro's take on the men in burgundy and gold.

- Mark Steven takes a look at Jim Haslett and his 3-4 defense.

- John Jeffries comes to grip with embracing a player he's openly rooted against for more than a decade.

- Jim Gehman catches up with Redskins great Charley Taylor

- A new Pigskins comic by Ben Ceccarelli.

- A Redskins cheerleader spotlight and much, much more.

[Ruff Stuff]

Maaaaaazing. Give ribs.

[K.O. Johnny]

I've worked in magazine publishing for 25 years and IMHO, Hail! is a beautifully put together publication - props

[Om]

We get so caught up with a quarterback's measurables---size, arm strength, mobility---that we tend to largely overlook what may be a quarterback's most precious asset...his leadership.

Jurgensen and Monk both mention it. We've heard it from coaches, players and even an "expert" or two ever since the trade. DMac brings a level of leadership to the Redskins huddle, and an authority behind center, we have not seen in this town in a generation. Even if Philly's "right" and DMac has crested the hill of his career, he still has the physical skills to compete for another 2, 3 even four years. His leadership skills won't diminish at all. If anything, says here they will continue to grow.

Sweet interview, murf. And hats off for setting the early bar so high with his project and raising it each week.

[skinscountry]

The pictures from the Redskins Cowboys game in Hail magazine our absolutely amazing. I just finally subscribed to Hail. I have been wanting to for some time and finally did it. I am keeping my fingers crossed to win some cool Redskins stuff at some point. Good Luck shine on me Ha Ha. Keep up the good work with the magazine and I am looking forward to every new issue.

HTTR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[themurf]

Maaaaaazing. Give ribs.

I assume you're referring to the section dedicated to Redskins tailgaters. Yeah, those ribs were awesome. Ted knows what he's doing. And the cool thing is, we've got about a half dozen ES members lined up for the next few issues. So if you've eaten good food at the ES tailgate, then you're probably gonna see it featured in Hail! magazine (except anything Pez makes. He's too much of a diva to work with).

I've worked in magazine publishing for 25 years and IMHO, Hail! is a beautifully put together publication - props

That's very kind of you to say. Thank you for the feedback and please continue to check it out each week.

[themurf]

The pictures from the Redskins Cowboys game in Hail magazine our absolutely amazing. I just finally subscribed to Hail. I have been wanting to for some time and finally did it. I am keeping my fingers crossed to win some cool Redskins stuff at some point. Good Luck shine on me Ha Ha. Keep up the good work with the magazine and I am looking forward to every new issue.

HTTR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Look, I fully admit that I'm biased. I say that to everyone up front. But the truth is, I'm the fourth best photographer out of the four of us who started Hail! magazine (and I'm not too shabby). I truly believe that the photography is what is going to set us apart from everything else out there. I mean, look at this stuff:

[NoLeafClover]

That DeAngelo Hall photo is insane.

I really love the quotes from Sonny Jurgensen. Great job tying him and McNabb together.

After the way things played out for the Eagles on Sunday, I think not only would they like to have McNabb back right now, but they'd probably settle for taking back Sonny if he felt like throwing on some pads and starting at QB.

[Tarhog]

I used to think I could take a decent Redskins photo Guess it's all relative... I'd love to have that Fed Ex Field shot in hi-def to blow up for the living room wall.

That's a hint murf

Just keeps getting better with Issue #3

[Mondak]

Just finished reading it. LOVED IT! Thanks so much

[themurf]

I used to think I could take a decent Redskins photo Guess it's all relative... I'd love to have that Fed Ex Field shot in hi-def to blow up for the living room wall.

That's a hint murf

Just keeps getting better with Issue #3

You want a higher-resolution shot of the stadium, huh? I guess that would depend largely on the number of people subscribing. If 'Skins fans continue to sign up in bulk, then we'd have no choice but to do a random act of kindness like that.

Just finished reading it. LOVED IT! Thanks so much

You're very kind. Thanks and please help us by spreading the word.

[Huly]

Yeah a couple of photographers filmed the food ant the tailgate

I also love the new cartoon

[Hail_Skins]

Great magazine, Thanks for all your hard work.

[HAIL! Magazine]

Hey Extremeskins, i'm Mel from Hail! Magazine.

All photos are def shot in High Res, and yes that would def be INSANE photograph for someones office or Man cave.

Thanks for all the kind words and feedback, I'm glad to have partnered up with some amazing guys with different backgrounds in this industry. As Murph mentioned before we have an iPhone/iPad app coming up soon for subscribers like me who can't travel with out their iPad.

Give a ways: everyone is aware of the Phillip Daniels Game used jersey and Santana Moss 16x20 signed photo for subscribers. We are very close to adding a few more game used items from to the list. If you are on Twitter and or facebook, look for us there as we have been giving away signed and unsigned 8x10s of your favorite current and former Redskins.

Again thanks for the support and for the opportunity to grow with HAIL! Magazine.

[Tailgate Ted]

Stop by G20 during any home game to grab some ribs