Washington left in disarray after Beck’s first start CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Just two weeks ago, the Redskins fancied themselves contenders. Just two weeks ago, nobody could dispute that notion. The Redskins were 3-1, had a defense stopping opponents and an offense that could, if nothing else, threaten teams on the ground.
And now?
Now they’ve lost two straight, continue to lose players and suddenly have a defense that looks mortal. And now the Redskins, 3-3 after Sunday’s 33-20 loss at Carolina, face questions about their health, their confidence and their future.
John Beck’s first start at quarterback for the Redskins did not help provide any answers. He completed 22 of 37 passes for 279 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also lost a fumble. Beck threw for 226 yards in the second half, though the Redskins fell behind by as many as 17 points against a team that entered 1-5.
The Redskins also lost three players to injuries: running back Tim Hightower (knee), linebacker London Fletcher (hamstring) and receiver Santana Moss (broken hand). Their backup quarterback, Rex Grossman, was in the locker room with pneumonia. Their starting free safety, Oshiomogho Atogwe, couldn’t play because of a knee injury. That’s on top of three other starters who were hurt a week ago.
“We’re going through a tough time,” said Hightower, who addressed the team after the game. “The thing about it is I reminded the guys that we came into the season with one goal and regardless we’re still in the fight.”
His coach was more blunt.
“If you lose your confidence, you’re not a competitor,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “You don’t need to be playing this sport.”
The defense has allowed more than 400 yards in consecutive games. They allowed rookie quarterback Cam Newton to finish with a passer rating of 127.5. He threw for 256 yards and a touchdown and ran for 59 and another score. He fooled them with plays from his college days, drawing defenders in with a fake handoff, then keeping the ball for a 16-yard touchdown run around the end. He broke three tackles on a 25-yard scramble.
“He found holes in our defense,” Redskins safety LaRon Landry said.
Said Shanahan: “He made plays most quarterbacks don’t make. That was one of the better days I’ve seen any rookie quarterback play.”
Meanwhile, the Redskins didn’t find enough holes. They managed only two first-half field goals, and a Jabar Gaffney fumble late in the second quarter set up a Carolina field goal for a 9-6 lead. Beck was sacked on a fourth-and-2 in the third when the Panthers sent a blitz they hadn’t shown from that particular front; the Redskins failed to adjust. Two plays later, Newton scored.
Beck did manage a 4-yard touchdown run and then threw a 7-yard scoring toss to tight end Fred Davis. That hardly made anyone feel better about the day. Afterward, Beck strolled through the locker room by himself, letting go a deep sigh.
“I want to be the guy,” Beck said. “I gave it everything I have. I prepared my tail off. I just want to win, I don’t care if we run the ball 60 times and I don’t throw once.”
Said Shanahan: “John played very well. You could see his athleticism, his quick release. He was poised.”
Now the Redskins must be poised as a team.
“A lot of people get rattled when you go through the situations we’re going through,” Moss said, “There’s a lot of stuff. You have to stay focused.”
