In what certainly seemed like a defining moment for the Redskins in 2011, the same futility that has plagued them for years struck again.
The stakes were high on Sunday against the Eagles. A chance for redemption after last year’s Monday Night debacle; an opportunity to maintain their advantage in the division and a crack at cementing themselves as bona fide playoff contenders.
By the end of the fourth quarter, the writing was on the wall: The Redskins have a way to go.
Of course, this is a better team than the one in 2010, and yes, Mike Shanahan has begun to establish what is shaping up to be a credible franchise, but it may be time to put those lofty expectations on hold.
Entering the season we knew the Redskins were working with a less-than-ideal quarterback situation, very few playmakers and a shallow pool of offensive linemen. Against Philly, all those concerns became full-blown realities.
The dominant theme this week will be at quarterback. Rex Grossman isn’t winning any popularity contests these days, but Shanahan has yet to commit to John Beck as his starter Sunday against Carolina.
Will Shanahan stick with Grossman after a nightmarish performance against the Eagles? Santana Moss hopes so, but of course, the wide receiver is probably desperate for a little continuity having played with six quarterbacks since he joined the Redskins.
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“I don’t think we’re that far,” he told reporters. “Too early to be that far. I’m pretty sure that’s something y’all wouldn’t mind covering, but when it comes down to playing, we know that you can’t just give up on somebody because they had a bad outing.”
Moss saw the same thing we did last week, so why the support?
“As a player, you don’t want to be given up on like that. That’s all I can say,” Moss added. “If you were the guy in those shoes, would you like to be given up on because you had a bad outing? No.”
Fans might point out Grossman struggled through the previous three games, but Moss knows this team as well as anyone. He’s one of the longest tenured Redskins and is an offensive captain this season. If he’s giving Grossman an endorsement, then we should think twice before throwing the guy under the bus.
John Beck did nothing to hurt his bid for the starting job on Saturday, but there’s a reason he began the year on the bench. He was beaten in an open competition.
There’s also a reason many of the receivers on this team are supporting Grossman, and that’s because for all his flaws, he possesses the experience Beck doesn’t have. And despite all the talk about Shanahan having him on a short leash, the Redskins have shown quite a bit of confidence in the embattled quarterback.
At his Monday press conference, the coach told reporters he believed in Grossman and still thought he could be effective. We haven’t seen the last of him.
Ultimately, this is a transition year under center, and neither guy is likely to factor into the long-term plans as a starter. But this year still matters. The Redskins are 3-2 with a much-improved defense in a weak division.
So choose wisely.
