Rex Grossman is close to keeping his job in 2012. One more win and the Washington Redskins are probably out of next year’s top 10 draft picks. Obtaining quarterback Andrew Luck was never possible, but taking Matt Barkley or Landry Jones would also become increasingly improbable if the Redskins draft after the opening eight selections.
Without a chance at a top passer, the Redskins may take the best player available like they did with linebacker Ryan Kerrigan last spring. There’s nothing wrong with adding good players like Kerrigan, but the Redskins really need a passer to build around over the next few years.
If Grossman finishes well, Shanahan might wait a round or two for a quarterback to develop or simply wait one more year.
And come October 2012 when Grossman slumps, everyone will wonder how the Redskins kept themselves in such a mess.
Yikes.
Certainly the Redskins could use their top pick for a right tackle, receiver, cornerback or even safety if they don’t re-signing LaRon Landry. If Washington gets someone as good as Kerrigan, that’s a real plus.
But Washington can’t seriously rebuild without obtaining a franchise passer. Maybe it’s Barkley or Jones; maybe they’re busts like Heath Shuler. They are no guarantees, but the Redskins haven’t possessed a long-term passer since Mark Rypien departed in 1994. The revolving door behind center continues to lead to mediocre teams.
While some debate whether Mark Sanchez is a franchise quarterback, New York Jets coach Rex Ryan rightly says a long-term passer is everything.
“I think it’s huge,” said Ryan, whose Jets play the Redskins on Sunday at FedEx Field. “It’s a quarterback-driven league. Generally, if you hit on that position, you’re going to be set for 10 years. That’s where I think we are. ”
Shanahan always believes he can create greatness among passers. Certainly he has a solid history with John Elway, Jay Cutler and even Jake Plummer. Grossman is Shanahan’s guy.
“I think [Grossman’s] even more confident now,” Shanahan said. “You can see just by playing [and] kind of just by getting in the flow of the football season. You know you don’t have OTAs and you come in and Rex wasn’t able to go in the first week and I think you just become more comfortable with yourself, more comfortable with defenses [and] more comfortable just playing in game situations.”
Grossman will be a free agent and a big finish might bring an outside offer that would force Washington into drafting a quarterback. For now, Grossman’s simply getting through each game.
“Each week in itself is so important to me, personally, throughout my whole career,” he said. “Every week is an audition. Even if you did have a huge contract, things happen fast in this league. You could be the greatest player in the world for three weeks and you have a couple bad games and you’re the worst and vice versa. I try to concentrate on each week as being the only week I’m concerned about.”
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
