Since Mike Shanahan has taken over as head coach of The Washington
Redskins the team has yet to address the main issue that is keeping the
team out of contention and that is the quarterback position. The Donovan
McNabb era in the nation’s capitol was a flash in the pan as McNabb
never fit Shanahan’s system last season. The quarterback situation this
season has not been much better. Shanahan has gone back and forth this
season with Rex Grossman and John Beck as neither man is the future for
The Redskins. After a 2-0 start, The Redskins are looking at another
lost season. Grossman and Beck have combined to throw 15 interceptions
while only throwing eight touchdowns. The Redskins more than likely will
have a high draft pick in the first round of April’s National Football
League Draft and it is time for the team to address the quarterback
dilemma.
For the majority of the franchise’s existence, The Redskins have been
able to get by with veteran signal callers. Former Redskin head coach
George Allen had Sonny Jurgensen and Billy Kilmer as his quarterbacks
while Joe Gibbs found success in Joe Theismann, Doug Williams, and Mark
Rypien. Allen’s Redskins made one Super Bowl appearance while Gibbs was
able to win a Super Bowl with each of his three quarterbacks.
Shanahan had tremendous success with The Denver Broncos which included
him developing quarterbacks there. From 1984-1987 Shanahan was The
Broncos offensive coordinator as he oversaw the grooming of quarterback
John Elway. Shanahan became The Broncos head coach in 1995 and he and
Elway won two Super Bowls together. In his time in Denver, Shanahan was
also able to turn both Brian Griese and Jake Plummer into Pro Bowl
quarterbacks. In 2006, Shanahan drafted quarterback Jay Cutler as Cutler
was a strong armed quarterback in the mold of Elway.
More than likely The Redskins will not have a shot at drafting
quarterback Andrew Luck from Stanford as Luck is expected to be the
first player selected in the draft. Hopefully for the sake of The
Redskins, Oklahoma Sooner quarterback Landry Jones or USC Trojan
quarterback Matt Barkley will decide to forgo their final season of
eligibility in college and declare themselves ready for The NFL. Both
Jones and Barkley are strong armed quarterbacks that can make all the
throws needed by a quarterback. Both are leaders which is something that
The Redskins are missing on the offensive side of the ball.
Since Shanahan took over The Redskins last year the defense has
improved. Prior to Shanahan and defensive coordinator Jim Haslett
arriving in D.C., The Redskins defensive unit ranked near the bottom of
The NFL. Now The ‘Skins are 11th in total defense entering week 11. The
defense which is led by two great young edge rushers in Brian Orakpo and
Ryan Kerrigan has been able to keep The Redskins in ball games as they
have only given up 30 points once this season.
The quarterback position is what is holding The Redskins back from being
in contention in The NFC East. Prior to the season Grossman felt that
The Redskins would win the division. Now Grossman and The ‘Skins have
taken a backseat to The New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys for division
supremacy. The Giants have Eli Manning while The ‘Boys have put their
chips on Tony Romo at quarterback. Both quarterbacks have Pro Bowl
appearances under their belts and each has led his respective team to
the playoffs. It is only a matter of time before Shanahan will get
things turned around in Washington, but he cannot do it without a solid
quarterback.
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