McNabb's agent slams coordinator

WASHINGTON, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- The agent for benched Washington Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb said offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has been undermining his client.

Fletcher Smith III said McNabb, who was benched for the team's final three games of the season, had "tension" with Shanahan after the player "suggested modifications to Kyle's offense based on intricacies Donovan has learned in his NFL career," The Washington Post reported Friday.

"For example, Donovan has asked all year that the team run more screen passes to help manage the pass rush more effectively. Ironically, Kyle decided to employ Donovan's suggestions after he unceremoniously benched him on Sunday," Smith said.

Coach Mike Shanahan, Kyle Shanahan's father, issued a statement Thursday saying he stands by the decision to bench McNabb.

"As I stated earlier, when I traded for Donovan McNabb, I had hoped that he would lead us to the playoffs. No one wanted him to be more successful than me," Shanahan said. "When the team was 5-8 and mathematically out of the playoffs, I made the decision to evaluate our other two quarterbacks. This was not personal, but strictly professional. The decision was made in the best interest of the Washington Redskins and I stand by my decision."