John Beck says he’s the starter. Rex Grossman doesn’t agree. Donovan McNabb’s tepid reaction is dismissive.
How did the Washington Redskins reach this new low at quarterback? Yes, somewhere south of Tony Banks, Danny Wuerffel and Tim Hasselbeck.
The longer the NFL lockout continues, the more likely Beck or Grossman will start this fall and the less likely the Redskins will be active in free agency — if there is even a season.
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals likely will uphold the lockout after a preliminary ruling to do so. That could mean a deal between the owners and players won’t get done until September.
Teams probably will have a couple weeks to prepare for the season, which isn’t enough time for the Redskins to teach a new system to Carson Palmer or some other free agent. They will be forced to stay with either Beck or Grossman, who’s unsigned. And nobody will want McNabb given the same scenario, so his value would plummet. That is, if Washington can get anything. Otherwise, the Redskins will cut McNabb rather than pay him $16 million for one season.
Debating Grossman vs. Beck is like choosing between drowning or dying while skydiving. Either way ends badly.
The Redskins’ backroom leaks promise the team will be active in free agency. It’s a good way to sucker fans into caring about a bad team that has little chance of succeeding without a passer. Plus, there’s no dominant runner to offset the lukewarm passing game. Unless Santana Moss re-signs, the Redskins don’t have a proven receiver, either.
The biggest hope is Beck is the second coming of Trent Green, who sat on the bench in San Diego and Washington for four years before starting 15 games in 1998. Green passed for 23 touchdowns and 3,441 yards. Too bad the Redskins botched re-signing him; Green later delivered four standout seasons in Kansas City.
Maybe Beck is the next Green. Beck’s resume includes four starts, three interceptions and one touchdown at Miami in 2007.
The other option is Grossman. After throwing for four touchdowns and two interceptions in a 33-30 loss to Dallas, Grossman threw for one touchdown and one interception in a 20-17 win over Jacksonville and two touchdowns and one interception in a 17-14 loss to the New York Giants. Toss in four fumbles and Grossman managed eight turnovers and seven touchdowns. Still, it was his best effort since 2006 in Chicago.
The Redskins seem out of options. Flip a coin between Beck and Grossman; both probably will play. But the lesser of evils usually means a losing season.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
