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.
