If you think it’s tough winning NFL games with only one durable, accurate and reliable quarterback, trying doing it with none.
The Washington Redskins started Rex Grossman at quarterback to begin the season. His play was unremarkable and uneven, the final straw being a four-interception effort in a 20-13 loss against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6.
Enter John Beck, he of the Tim Tebow school of work ethic. He promised to work hard and play even harder. Fans were excited, for about a quarter. Beck’s play wasn’t just uneven, it was plain awful. In his second start, a 23-0 loss against the Buffalo Bills in Week 8 in Toronto, he was sacked 10 times. Not even Tom Brady can lead a team to victory lying on his back most of the game. Some attributed that beating, both physically and literally, to the banged-up offensive line, which is missing starting center Kory Lichtensteiger who is out for the season. Others say that Beck holds the ball too long. It was the only time Redskins coach Mike Shanahan had been shutout in his career. The Skins are officially awful in two countries.
Even when Beck stays upright or plays on U.S. soil, the Redskins still can’t move the ball, with Beck missing open receivers and the running game continuing to struggle. Driving the team across midfield has been an enormous challenge for both quarterbacks. Getting into the red zone has been nearly impossible. And what about the end zone? Fuggetaboutit. The final tally on Beck: Two touchdowns and four picks in three games this season. He has yet to win an NFL game in five years in the league.
So, re-enter Rex, a so-called safe move considering the Redskins traveled to South Florida for a game against the one-win Miami Dolphins on Sunday before heading home for a tough battle against division rival Dallas. On Saturday morning, Shanahan informed Rex that he would start against the Dolphins. When Redskins fans woke up to the news on Sunday morning, those who weren’t left scratching their heads, praised the return of Rex, a move many hoped—prayed—would ignite a Redskins team that started the season 3-1 before hitting a wall. Was this a do-over for both Rex and the Redskins?
Well, Rex showed glimpses of quality play—much better play than Beck—moving the ball the length of the field and sustaining multiple drives. Unfortunately, he also showed glimpses of early-season Rex, including two interceptions, among them a gut-wrenching and drive-killing pick in the red zone. He had no touchdowns. On the season, he has six touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
So, now what? After losing five consecutive games, what is the Redskins’ next move? There’s no shortage of finger pointing, a common occurrence when losses pile up and frustration overflows. A heaping helping of blame has been placed on offensive coordinator—and son of coach—Kyle Shanahan, especially after the shutout against the Bills. And that very same finger is also pointed, by extension, to Mike Shanahan. When an offense stalls, the coach and offensive coordinator should come under fire, or at least be scrutinized. (Count me among those who believe that it really starts at the top, in the owner’s suite.)
The real flaw displayed by the Shanahans is in thinking that either Grossman or Beck was the best choice. In recent weeks, a longtime NFL scout familiar with the play of both quarterbacks has said just that. Neither should start for an NFL team, according to the scout, and Beck shouldn’t play quarterback for an NFL team—at all. He’s just incapable of reading defenses and keeping up with the speed of the game, the scout added.
With little hope for turning around the season, the Redskins should begin setting their sights on their younger players. Maybe it’s time to see what Jonathan Crompton, a quarterback out of Tennessee who is on the Redskins’ practice squad, can do.
That’s the predicament the Redskins find themselves in. And there’s still lots of football left this season.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Missing Sidney
October is coming to a close and the sports world keeps asking the same question: Will he or won’t he play this season—or ever again?
That question is often posed in connection with Peyton Manning, the quarterback for the 0-7 Indianapolis Colts who has missed the entire season with a neck injury. However, it should be asked about Sidney Crosby, all-star center for the Pittsburgh Penguins who hasn’t played since January after suffering a concussion.
Both losses are devastating, but for different reasons. True, the Colts have struggled all season, and circumstances were made even worse by Sunday night’s 62-7 drubbing by the New Orleans Saints. But while Peyton’s loss is felt in Indy and throughout the league, Sidney’s loss delivers a more crushing blow.
Without Peyton, the economically lush and wildly popular NFL still has plenty of superstars on which to lean: Brady, Rogers, Vick, and that’s just at the QB position. Throw in great runners such as AP and Arian, and dominant defenders like Ray Ray, Clay and Suh, and you have a group of players that would make any GM salivate.
Sure, there are lots of exceptional players in the NHL. Maple Leafs winger Phil Kessel, who leads the league in points right now, immediately comes to mind. So do Canucks winger Daniel Sedin, Tampa winger Martin St. Louis and Penguins center—and Crosby teammate—Evgeni Malkin who has seen limited action recently because of a knee injury. But when it comes to superstars, names that leap off the pages of sports sections, Webzines and blogs, the list is a lot shorter, and many would argue that it starts and ends with Sidney Crosby and the Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin. And when one of those players is absent, that leaves the NHL in a real bind, both emotionally and economically.
There is no timetable for Crosby’s return, although recent reports are promising: He has been cleared for contact but not for games. Hockey enthusiasts will say that this league is bigger than its stars—no overhyped, showboating prima donnas here, they say. It’s about hard-working, often blue-collar players who can walk into most sports bar in America and go unrecognized, and that’s OK with them. Coincidentally, that’s also what they say about Major League Baseball players, too. But while many baseball players are rooted in the humble beginnings of minor league ball or proud Latin American communities, baseball can also boast a list of star players--Pujols, Howard, Sabathia, Prince—that propels it to another level, not to mention an exciting World Series between St. Louis and Texas that went seven games.
And that’s why Sidney’s loss is so important, much more important than Peyton’s. The NHL, where the wallets are thinner and the popularity is waning, would benefit from having Crosby back on the ice. And I’m sure the Penguins and hockey fans everywhere would be equally elated.
That question is often posed in connection with Peyton Manning, the quarterback for the 0-7 Indianapolis Colts who has missed the entire season with a neck injury. However, it should be asked about Sidney Crosby, all-star center for the Pittsburgh Penguins who hasn’t played since January after suffering a concussion.
Both losses are devastating, but for different reasons. True, the Colts have struggled all season, and circumstances were made even worse by Sunday night’s 62-7 drubbing by the New Orleans Saints. But while Peyton’s loss is felt in Indy and throughout the league, Sidney’s loss delivers a more crushing blow.
Without Peyton, the economically lush and wildly popular NFL still has plenty of superstars on which to lean: Brady, Rogers, Vick, and that’s just at the QB position. Throw in great runners such as AP and Arian, and dominant defenders like Ray Ray, Clay and Suh, and you have a group of players that would make any GM salivate.
Sure, there are lots of exceptional players in the NHL. Maple Leafs winger Phil Kessel, who leads the league in points right now, immediately comes to mind. So do Canucks winger Daniel Sedin, Tampa winger Martin St. Louis and Penguins center—and Crosby teammate—Evgeni Malkin who has seen limited action recently because of a knee injury. But when it comes to superstars, names that leap off the pages of sports sections, Webzines and blogs, the list is a lot shorter, and many would argue that it starts and ends with Sidney Crosby and the Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin. And when one of those players is absent, that leaves the NHL in a real bind, both emotionally and economically.
There is no timetable for Crosby’s return, although recent reports are promising: He has been cleared for contact but not for games. Hockey enthusiasts will say that this league is bigger than its stars—no overhyped, showboating prima donnas here, they say. It’s about hard-working, often blue-collar players who can walk into most sports bar in America and go unrecognized, and that’s OK with them. Coincidentally, that’s also what they say about Major League Baseball players, too. But while many baseball players are rooted in the humble beginnings of minor league ball or proud Latin American communities, baseball can also boast a list of star players--Pujols, Howard, Sabathia, Prince—that propels it to another level, not to mention an exciting World Series between St. Louis and Texas that went seven games.
And that’s why Sidney’s loss is so important, much more important than Peyton’s. The NHL, where the wallets are thinner and the popularity is waning, would benefit from having Crosby back on the ice. And I’m sure the Penguins and hockey fans everywhere would be equally elated.
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