NFL roundup: Redskins glad to land McNabb

WASHINGTON (AP) — When Mike Shanahan was introduced as Washington Redskins coach, he said he hated to use the word rebuilding even though he was taking over a 4-12 team.

With the acquisition of Donovan McNabb from the NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles, Shanahan and new general manager Bruce Allen have made it clear they are trying to make a quick turnaround in Washington.

“That definitely sent a message,” said 32-year-old center Casey Rabach, who re-signed with the Redskins in March. “This isn’t about rebuilding. This is about going out to win games now. At this stage of my career, that’s exciting.”

Prior to trading for McNabb, the Redskins had signed eight players in free agency. All of them will be at least 30 by November 11. This is no youth movement.

It harkens back to the days Allen’s late Hall of Fame father, George Allen, was running the Redskins. The future is now, was his philosophy back in the 1970s.

“Talking to guys this morning, everyone was excited,” Rabach said after his workout at the Redskins Park. “Everyone knows the kind of player that Donovan is, the kind of leader he is. He’s a winner on and off the field.”

The Redskins gave up the 37th overall choice in this month’s draft as well as a third- or fourth-round selection in 2011 for McNabb, who will be formally introduced at a news conference on Tuesday.

Among active quarterbacks, only Minnesota’s Brett Favre, Indianapolis’ Peyton Manning and New England’s Tom Brady have more regular season victories than McNabb’s 92. Only Favre has been to as many conference title games. And among active passers with at least 60 starts, only Brady, Manning, Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger and San Diego’s Philip Rivers have a higher winning regular season percentage than McNabb’s .648.

Rams release QB Bulger

ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Rams released quarterback Marc Bulger on Monday, perhaps clearing the way for them to take Sam Bradford with the first pick of the draft.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo said in a release that it was difficult to make the move and wished the 33-year-old Bulger well. Last month the Rams signed A.J. Feeley, presumably as next year’s backup on a team that was 1-15 in 2009.

“It is always hard to part ways with someone you care for and appreciate,” Spagnuolo said. “I will always be indebted to him for his work ethic, character and leadership.”

The Rams were among the teams impressed by Bradford’s workout last week in Norman, Okla. Bradford, the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner, made a convincing case that he would make a complete recovery from shoulder surgery last October, completing all but one of 50 passes.

Report: Rogers’ loaded gun had bullet in chamber

CLEVELAND — A police report says a gun that Cleveland Browns player Shaun Rogers allegedly tried to carry through airport security was cocked with a bullet in the chamber.

The Plain Dealer reported Monday that the police report states the cocked semiautomatic handgun was on safe mode with seven bullets in the magazine and one in the chamber.

Rogers has pleaded not guilty to a concealed weapons charge after authorities say he tried to carry the gun through airport security in a carryon bag.

The 31-year-old nose tackle has apologized to his fans and his team, saying he didn’t mean to take the gun into Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

Hargrove signs Saints’ offer sheet

METAIRIE, La. — Anthony Hargrove has agreed to return to the defending champion New Orleans Saints, who gave the defensive tackle the opportunity to resurrect his career in 2009 after a yearlong suspension for substance abuse.

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says the restricted free agent signed an offer sheet Monday.

The Saints tendered Hargrove an offer of about $1.2 million, meaning New Orleans would have been compensated with a third-round draft choice if he had left.

Tags: sports, football, nfl, mcnabb, redskins