Luke Judge

How else could Donovan McNabb have reacted when told he was traded to the Washington Redskins?

On one hand, McNabb should be grateful that Philadelphia didn’t send him to a dysfunctional franchise like Oakland or Buffalo. McNabb would have improved both squads, but those are dead-end situations. The Raiders could be headed toward an eighth consecutive season of double-digit losses. The Bills haven’t made the playoffs since 1999 and show no signs of getting there any time soon.

However, there is no bigger slap in the face than being traded within your own division.

Eagles coach Andy Reid can say that compensation – a 2010 second-round pick and a 2011 third- or fourth-rounder depending on McNabb’s production this season – is what separated the Redskins from a pack of suitors. But by shipping him to Washington, the Eagles are boldly proclaiming they’re not scared to face McNabb twice a season. This isn’t like when Green Bay did everything within its power to keep Brett Favre from playing in Minnesota.

In my column last week, I didn’t list Washington among potential suitors for McNabb because I believed they held his skills in higher regard. Instead, the Eagles think he’s Drew Bledsoe.

He was the last big-name quarterback traded between division rivals. With the emergence of Tom Brady, a 30-year-old Bledsoe was dealt from New England to Buffalo in 2002 for a first-round draft choice. Bledsoe had a standout first season with the Bills but his play then disintegrated. The Patriots were right in assessing Bledsoe as a declining player who couldn’t hurt them. He was 1-5 as a starter against New England before being released in the 2005 offseason.

McNabb’s arrival should greatly accelerate Washington’s rebuilding process. The Redskins now have the freedom to address another need with their first-round pick. Oklahoma State tackle Russell Okung is the likely candidate to become the No. 4 overall selection.

McNabb, though, is three years older than Bledsoe was when he joined the Bills. It’s fair to wonder whether he will still be a good player by the time Washington is a bona fide contender once again. We know where the Eagles stand. They not only wanted McNabb to fly the coop so Kevin Kolb could start. Philadelphia didn’t even care that McNabb was landing in a familiar nest.

Dallas released two high-profile veterans — left tackle Flozell Adams and free safety Ken Hamlin.

The cause: Cowboys brass didn’t believe either player was worth the lofty base salaries they were set to collect in 2010. Dallas wanted Hamlin off its books badly enough to cut him despite $1.1 million of his $5.6 million base salary being guaranteed. Adams was slated to earn $7.5 million in base salary and a roster bonus.

The effect: There’s lots of fallout from a move that came at a curious time. Had they waited until after the draft, the Cowboys could have kept Adams and/or Hamlin as insurance in case the left tackle and safety spots couldn’t be adequately addressed in the early rounds. Then again, it wasn’t exactly a state secret that Adams and Hamlin were on thin ice.

Adams started to show his age (34) last season, leading to cheap-shot tactics against opponents and $80,000 in NFL fines. Hamlin simply didn’t make the impact expected when signed to a six-year, $39 million contract in the 2008 offseason. If training camp opened today, Doug Free would replace Adams and Alan Ball and Mike Hamlin would be competing for the starting free-safety spot. Free struggled against Minnesota defensive end Jared Allen in relief duty for an injured Adams during last season’s playoff loss but otherwise showed great improvement during the 2009 campaign. Mike Hamlin, a 2009 fifth-round draft choice, has more long-term potential as an all-around free safety than the undersized Ball.

The top free-agent safety options include Darren Sharper (New Orleans) and O.J. Atogwe, who is under a right-of-first-refusal restricted free-agent tender from St. Louis. As for Adams and Ken Hamlin, both should be signing elsewhere relatively soon. Adams would be an effective short-term fix in Oakland or Buffalo. The safety-starved Dolphins could be an option for Hamlin, who played in Dallas under Miami general manager Jeff Ireland in 2007.

New Arizona kicker Jay Feely either wore out his welcome in New York or the Jets are truly pinching pennies in a year without a salary cap. During an appearance with me and co-host Bryan McGovern on Sirius NFL Radio, Feely said Jets management told him it was looking to save money that would be allocated toward contract extensions for young standouts still on their rookie deals like cornerback Darrelle Revis, linebacker David Harris and center Nick Mangold. In fact, Feely claims he was offered a 2010 base salary that was $300,000 less than what he earned during a strong 2009 campaign. The Jets previously saved about $3 million in 2010 by releasing running back Thomas Jones and signing ex-San Diego starter LaDainian Tomlinson. Feely signed a two-year, $4.8 million contract with the Cardinals …

New York and Arizona may essentially be swapping kickers with Neil Rackers set to visit with the Jets. Playing in a new home stadium this fall, New York would be wise to have a veteran compete with Dallas Cowboys castoff Nick Folk …

Even at 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds, University of Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap said he recently ran the 40-yard dash in 4.57 seconds. Dunlap, though, must convince teams that he won’t follow in the footsteps of Jarvis Moss and Derrick Harvey. They too were physical freaks who became first-round picks after leaving school as juniors. Moss is a bust in Denver, while Harvey has just 5.5 sacks in two seasons with Jacksonville. Dunlap, who had 19 sacks in a mere 15 college starts, says his strong work ethic helps him stand on his own.

Big winner: Cleveland by acquiring cornerback Sheldon Brown and linebacker Chris Gocong from Philadelphia for linebacker Alex Hall and 2010 fourth- and fifth-round picks. The Browns addressed one of their biggest pre-draft needs by landing the rock-solid Brown, who has missed only one start in the past six seasons. Cleveland can now address another position with the No. 7 overall pick. University of Tennessee safety Eric Berry is the early favorite if he’s still on the board. Florida cornerback Joe Haden may now slip to No. 10 (Jacksonville) or No. 13 (San Francisco). As for Gocong, he has a chance for playing time in Cleveland if he can learn to better shed blocks. That problem contributed to Gocong’s benching last season.

Big loser: Pittsburgh wide receiver Santonio Holmes. Not since Bryant McKinnie detailed his strip-club hopping during Pro Bowl week has an NFL player caused more self-inflicted damage through Twitter. Holmes told one of his followers to “kill urself” in an exchange regarding a criminal investigation into an alleged assault at an Orlando nightclub. Holmes later sent another Tweet saying it was time to “wake n bake,” which is considered slang for marijuana use (Holmes was arrested on a possession charge in 2008). This hasn’t gone over well with Steelers management, which is already concerned about the franchise’s tainted image amid the Ben Roethlisberger scandal. Holmes is too talented to simply release, but trading one of the heroes from Super Bowl XLIII may not be out of the question.

Under-the-radar move: San Diego signed ex-Chicago cornerback Nathan Vasher to a two-year contract. The Chargers continue to use the veteran free-agent route for secondary depth after trading Antonio Cromartie to the Jets. Vasher and newcomer Donald Strickland (Jets) should serve as the nickel and dime cornerbacks respectively behind starters Quentin Jammer and 2008 first-round pick Antoine Cason, who is being promoted to fill Cromartie’s spot. Largely because of injuries, Vasher never lived up to the five-year, $28 million contract extension he signed with Chicago in 2007. He will have the chance to rebound under San Diego defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, who held the same position with the Bears for Vasher’s first three NFL seasons (2004 to 2006).

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS WEEK’S CALENDAR

Wednesday (April 7): Florida State safety Myron Rolle holds a private workout for NFL scouts in Orlando. Rolle, who didn’t play last season as a Rhodes Scholar, said he recently ran the 40 in 4.49 seconds on a field with high grass. Strong test times could help push Rolle into the second or third round.

Friday (April 9): Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen finally holds his pro-day workout. Clausen, who will likely be the second quarterback drafted behind Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford, was recovering from post-season toe surgery.

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ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder’s eyeswere red. His voice cracked and was barely audible. Next to him satcoach Joe Gibbs, barely more composed.

Safety Sean Taylor ‘s violent death had left his team in tearsand a league in mourning.

“This is a terrible, terrible tragedy,” Snyder said.

Taylor died early Tuesday of a gunshot wound from an apparentintruder, a tragic end for a 24-year-old whose life was transformedby the birth of a daughter 18 months ago.

“We’re going to miss him,” Gibbs said. “I’m not talking aboutas a player. I’m talking about as a person.”

A day earlier, Taylor and his girlfriend were awakened by loudnoises, according to family friend Richard Sharpstein, who learnedthe details from Taylor’s girlfriend, Jackie Garcia. he said Taylorgrabbed a machete he keeps in the bedroom for protection. Someonethen broke through the bedroom door and fired two shots, onemissing and one hitting Taylor, Sharpstein said. Neither Taylor’sdaughter, Jackie, nor Taylor’s girlfriend were injured in theattack.

The bullet damaged the femoral artery in Taylor’s leg, causingsignificant blood loss. Taylor never regained consciousness,Sharpstein said, and the news that he had squeezed a nurse’s handlate Monday only proved to give false hope.

“Maybe he was trying to say goodbye or something,” Sharpsteinsaid.

Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said he did not know why Taylorreturned to Miami during the weekend. Taylor was not required toaccompany the team to Sunday’s game at Tampa Bay because of a kneeinjury.

Police had no description of a possible suspect and wereinvestigating whether the shooting was connected to a break-in atTaylor’s home eight days earlier, in which police said someonepried open a front window, rifled through drawers and left akitchen knife on a bed.

“They’re going to be looking at every angle,” Miami-DadePolice spokesman Alvaro Zabaleta said. “They’re going to belooking at every lead.”

Authorities from Miami-Dade Police and the federal Bureau ofAlcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were in and out ofTaylor’s home throughout the day. Police were seen taking acomputer from Taylor’s home.

A stream of family and friends arrived throughout the day,including his father, Florida City police chief Pedro Taylor. Someembraced outside; most came and went without speaking to a group ofseveral dozen reporters.

Outside Pedro Taylor’s home in suburban Miami-Dade County, thefront lawn was filled with friends and family members who seemed tobe in good spirits. Small children ran through the yard.

Several people brought large platters of food into the house.when he arrived home, he was met with embrace after embrace byfriends and family members.

“We’re all hurting,” Taylor said. “I mean that’s my child.”

Taylor spoke privately with Miami-Dade homicide detectives andexpressed confidence in the police investigation, but couldn’tprovide additional information.

Speaking of the killer, Taylor said: “I think one day he’llcome to grips with himself and say, ‘You know what, it wassenseless’ and he’ll turn himself in.”

The elder Taylor said he last saw his son a few weeks ago at afootball game in Washington.

“We had a wonderful time,” he said. “We laughed and joked andstayed up until 3 o’clock in the morning. we did what fathers anddads do and brothers and sisters, we just enjoyed each other.”

according to The Miami Herald, Garcia arrived at the father’shouse with her daughter but declined to speak with reporters.

Dressed in black and clutching her 18-month-old baby, Garciapulled up to Taylor’s father’s house in a black Mercedes.

With her brown hair held in a ponytail with a black band, Garciacarried her baby girl into the house. she was accompanied by hersister, and her father, Rene. The baby, wearing a pink bow in herhair and pink sneakers, was asleep in her mother’s arms.

Taylor’s father described the relationship between Garcia andhis son as close, and “a bond that can’t be broken.”

Taylor said his son had grasped fatherhood “with opens arms,”and it was part of his evolution from childhood to adulthood. Askedif Sean ever disappointed him, Taylor said he always tried to guidehim.

“We all have high expectations, but we all understand thateveryone has to travel the road and there are going to be somemishaps,” he said. “But guess what? That’s what we’re here for tosteer them in the right direction.”

Back in Virginia, the Redskins struggled to cope and share theirloss.

“I have never dealt with this,” Gibbs said. “We’re going onehour at a time here.”

Gibbs said he planned to have the team practice as scheduledWednesday, following a prayer service, in preparation for Sunday’shome game against the Buffalo Bills. Snyder said the Redskins willhonor Taylor by wearing a patch on their jerseys and the no. 21 ontheir helmets. The league is expected to decide Wednesday how theleague will pay tributes to Taylor at this weekend’s games.

“We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Sean’s family, friends, teammates, and the Redskins’ organization. this is a terrible tragedy involving the loss of a young man who leaves behind many people struggling to understand it,” commissioner Roger Goodell said. “Our office is staying in close contact with the Redskins to provide all appropriate support to the club and Sean’s family. we also are working to determine the facts surrounding this tragic event. we will honor the memory of Sean Taylor at all games this weekend.”

There is little precedence on how to go forward, althoughseveral teams have dealt with tragedy in recent years. Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was killed in a drive-byshooting on new Year’s Day, the day after the season ended in aplayoff loss. San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Thomas Herriondied of a heart attack after a preseason game in September 2005.Minnesota Vikings tackle Korey Stringer died of heatstroke at atraining camp practice in 2001. Philadelphia Eagles defensive endJerome McDougle was shot in the stomach by three armed robbers insouthwest Miami in July 2005 and missed the following season.

Gibbs, Taylor’s family and his teammates, past and present, didtheir best to describe a player very few got to know.

“Sean has been a close friend of mine since our days at theUniversity of Miami,” New York Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma saidin a statement. “He was a great teammate and an even greaterperson. It is so hard for me to fathom that I am not going to beable to pick up the phone to call him.”

Taylor had a great smile and a menacing sneer. he was extremelytalented — fast and powerful — and genuinely had a chance to becomeone of the best safeties ever to play in the NFL.

“What got cut short here was a career that was going to go to alot of Pro Bowls and have a lot of fun,” Gibbs said.

“I am devastated over the loss of Sean Taylor,” Miami coach Randy Shannon said. “When he was a student at the University of Miami, I got to know him as a person and as a football player. he was passionate about everything he did and was a great friend to his teammates. My thoughts are with his family.”

Taylor was having the best season of his career on the field andhad stayed out of trouble off the field since the birth of hisdaughter, Jackie, in may 2006. he was becoming a leader, and histeammates had elected him to the players’ committee that meetsregularly with Gibbs.

“I saw a real maturing process,” Gibbs said.

he wasn’t the only one to notice changes in Taylor after hisdaughter’s birth.

“He was kind of a wild child, like myself,” said New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey, who played with Taylor at theUniversity of Miami and worked out with him in the offseason. “Butlife changed for Sean after he had his baby girl. Fatherhood reallychanged him. he grew up and matured.”

Redskins running back Clinton Portis agreed.

“It’s hard to expect a man to grow up overnight,” Portis said.”But ever since he had his child, it was like a new Sean, andeverybody around here knew it. he was always smiling, always happy,always talking about his child.”

Private and slow to trust anyone, Taylor rarely grantedinterviews. during his last known full-length interview, conductedwith WTEM-AM in September, he spoke of the joy he felt when he madehis daughter laugh, how he wanted to give her life experiencesdifferent from his own, and how he did not fear death.

“You can’t be scared of death,” he told the radio station.”When that time comes, it comes. … You never see a person whohas lived their life to the fullest. they sometimes feel sorry forlike a child, maybe, that didn’t get a chance to do some of thethings they thought that child might have had a chance to do inlife. I’ve been blessed. God’s looked out for me, so, I’m happy.”

Still, Taylor, drafted no. 5 overall by the Redskins in April2004, got off to a rocky start in the NFL.

he had a drunken driving charge that was later dismissed. Heskipped part of the NFL’s mandatory rookie symposium. he fired twoagents. he didn’t like his contract. he refused to return Gibbs’calls during the offseason. and he was fined at least seven timesfor late hits, uniform violations and other on-field infractions.

In 2005, he was accused of pointing a gun during a fight overall-terrain vehicles near his Miami home, a legal battle that endeda year later when he pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors and wassentenced to probation.

recently, Taylor indeed was starting to make his past seemirrelevant. The baby helped him gain perspective, and other changeswere making him a better football player.

Early in his career, linebacker LaVar Arrington nicknamed Taylor”The Grim Reaper.” Taylor could hit as hard as anyone in the NFL,but he often went for the big impact at the expense of playingbasic football. he would take wrong angles and miss tackles. Evenso, he was enough of a presence to make the Pro Bowl last season.

this season, Taylor improved his diet and workout regimen andwas given a new role. Instead of playing a hybrid safety position,he was a true free safety. he used speed and power to chase passesand intimidate receivers. His five interceptions tie for the leaguelead in the NFC, even though he missed the last two games becauseof a sprained knee.

“You think back to how much heat he took for everything,”Portis said. “For missing camp, for not beingaround for this or that, for missing the rookie symposium. You cometo the realization that all of that means nothing.”

Information from The associated Press was used in this report.

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