1. Quarterback Rex Grossman understands the national perception of him. It’s been evident since 2006 when he played for Chicago. One good game would precede a bad one and a reputation was carved. That season, his last as a full-time starter, he had five games where his passer rating was 40 or below – and seven where it was 100 or higher.
“I’m definitely stereotyped as an inconsistent quarterback and I’m doing everything possible to change that perception,” Grossman said. “The only way you can change that perception is to play consistently. It’s nothing you have to overthink; it’s just a matter of doing it.”
2. Receiver Santana Moss said it was Grossman’s time at Florida that stuck with him. When Moss was at Miami, they played the Gators in the Orange Bowl. “He threw the ball everywhere and to everybody,” Moss said. “So when I saw he was coming over here I was like, ‘That’s Rex Grossman, he’s the gunslinger.’ That’s what we called him in college…It’s bad he went through that in Chicago, but that’s his past. He has a chance to put that behind him.”
3. Grossman likes this offense because of the tempo. He made it clear he liked playing for then-offensive coordinator Ron Turner in Chicago. But Kyle Shanahan’s offense helps him play fast. He was often getting to the line of scrimmage with approximately 20 seconds left on the play clock. “It puts more pressure on the defense to line up faster and be ready,” he said. “A lot of times we went on the first sound with no cadence, just to get going and it helps catch the defense off-guard. It’s putting pressure on them as well as being able to get to the line and if you have any calls to make, make those calls.”
4. Coach Mike Shanahan disagreed with Donovan McNabb’s assessment of what he was told last week. McNabb said on his radio show that he learned he would be the No. 3 quarterback through media reports. “I did sit down with Donovan in detail and told him why he’d be No. 2 in Dallas and why he’d be No. 3 in the following two games,” Shanahan said. “I felt very good about our conversation.”
5. This is the second time McNabb has said he wasn’t told something when the coaches say he was. The first? After his benching in Detroit McNabb said no one mentioned the possibility he could get yanked if the coaches thought he looked injured.
6. The Redskins placed nose guard Maake Kemoeatu on injured reserve, thanks to a left shoulder that will require surgery Monday. Kemoeatu missed 2009 with a torn Achilles’ tendon that bothered him into this season.
7. Kemoeatu said his shoulder was only 50 percent effective much of the season. Of the 13 games he played, he probably struggled in the great majority. His leg strength was clearly less than what he needed early in the season. And the shoulder will affect any lineman.
“It’s been a rough season,” Kemoeatu said.
The Redskins still have to upgrade at this spot. Anthony Bryant is inconsistent and perhaps he could develop, but he’s also 29 and not sure how much he’s going to change. Still, he’s a decent backup.
8. Meanwhile, safety Reed Doughty (head), defensive end Kedric Golston (groin), safety Kareem Moore (knee) and linebacker Brian Orakpo (groin/hamstring) did not practice. Golston is considered a “longshot” to play vs. Jacksonville, Shanahan said.
9. Right tackle Jammal Brown said his hip is feeling much better and it’s evident in his play, which has improved in recent weeks. He underwent surgery on his left hip in 2009, causing him to miss the entire season. The scar tissue finally broke up this season, sometime after the Oct. 31 game vs. Detroit.
“At the halfway mark [of the season], you couldn’t tell if he was going to get well,” Shanahan said.
But he did.
“I wish it were Week 3 right now,” said Brown, a free agent after the season. “[But] they’ve seen what I can do.”
10. Running back Clinton Portis, on injured reserve for a lower abdominal injury, said during his paid weekly radio show on 106.7 The Fan that some players looked like they were playing scared vs. Dallas. His point: if McNabb could get benched, anyone could.
“Clinton better worry about his stomach and getting well,” Shanahan said.
10. Not sure what Portis was talking about. The Redskins did not seem to play scared. Rather, their defense struggled and their offense took a while to get going. How is that being scared? Just think Portis says things sometimes just to say them.
11. The Redskins signed linebacker Rob Jackson and defensive lineman Darrion Scott to the active roster. They also signed defensive lineman Rashaad Duncan and tackle Xavier Fulton to the practice squad.
