The quarterback holding the burgundy No. 5 Washington Redskins jersey was Donovan McNabb. From everything that was said, it might have been simpler to just go ahead and call him John Elway II.
Tuesday's sports briefs
April 7, 2010 at 5:59AM
The six-time Pro Bowl star was formally introduced Tuesday as Redskins Park. All things being equal, he would rather be preparing for a 12th season with the Philadelphia Eagles, but an Easter Sunday trade between NFC East rivals has opened what he called "a new chapter in the book of Donovan."
"I've always believed in finishing where you started," McNabb said. "I think there's a lot to be said with that. Not a lot of quarterbacks in this league are able to do that these days. Sometimes change is better. Sometimes you're forced into change. I would have loved to [stay in Philadelphia], but it didn't happen."
Instead, he is with the Redskins and new coach Mike Shanahan, and both went to great lengths to say that trading two draft picks for a 33-year-old quarterback with a few nicks is a solid investment. They did so by repeatedly invoking Elway, who was 34 when Shanahan became coach of the Broncos in 1995.
"I'm turning 34 this year," McNabb said. "And he finished John's career with two Super Bowls. Hopefully I can continue to follow behind that."
Redskins looking to deal Haynesworth
Not long after paying defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth's bonus with one of the largest checks in NFL history, the Redskins are actively attempting to trade the Pro Bowler before the draft, people familiar with the situation said.
Coach Mike Shanahan has instructed General Manager Bruce Allen to identify potential destinations for Haynesworth, whom the Redskins paid a $21 million bonus April 1, and the Redskins have talked with multiple teams about the eight-year veteran. The Redskins declined to comment.
The Lions, Bucs, Jaguars and Titans -- whom Haynesworth left to join the Redskins before the 2009 season for $41 million in guaranteed money -- are among the teams that could be interested in acquiring the two-time all-pro selection.
In other NFL news: The Browns completed the trade with Philadelphia for cornerback Sheldon Brown and linebacker Chris Gocong. Cleveland sent linebacker Alex Hall and two picks -- Nos. 105 and 137 overall -- in this month's draft to the Eagles. The Saints brought in free agent Alex Brown for an offseason visit. ... A judge says former Lions receiver Charles Rogers must repay $6.1 million to the team. Rogers was suspended for substance abuse in 2005. ... The Panthers signed kicker Todd Carter to take over the team's vacant kickoff specialist role. ... The Raiders signed free agent defensive lineman Chris Cooper. ... Defensive end Marcus Spears and linebacker Steve Octavien have signed their tender offers to remain with the Cowboys for another season. ... The Texans agreed to a deal with free agent kicker Neil Rackers. ... The Seahawks terminated the contract of tight end John Owens and waived running back Xavier Omon. ... The Cardinals re-signed free-agent safety Matt Ware to a one-year contract. ... The Lions signed unrestricted free agent cornerback Dante Wesley to a two-year contract.
CYCLING
Surprise! Armstrong tested in France Lance Armstrong competed in mainland France for the first time this year Tuesday and was one of two of the 89 riders called in for a random doping test after the first stage of the four-day Circuit de la Sarthe. The 38-year-old Texan has been consistently tested by the French over the years, who insist he has been doping despite having never failed a drug test. He rode for Team RadioShack and placed 24th, trailing in the main pack just a split second behind winner Luis Leon Sanchez of Spain. Sanchez has a 4-second lead over Marko Kump, while Armstrong trails by 10 seconds. ... Armstrong said he won't compete as planned in the Amstel Gold race in the Netherlands on April 18, wanting to spend time with his family.
AROUND THE HORN
College football: Former Ohio State star Maurice Clarett is in county jail awaiting a judge's decision Tuesday that would release him to a community-based correction facility after spending 3 1/2 years in prison. Clarett, 26, was convicted on charges of aggravated robbery and carrying a concealed weapon.
Tennis: Unseeded Olga Govortsova upset second-seeded Alona Bondarenko 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 in the MPS Group Championships in Ponte Verde, Fla.
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Pete Alonso hit a go-ahead, three-run homer off closer Devin Williams in the ninth inning and the New York Mets defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2 on Thursday night to win their NL Wild Card Series.
