Rex Grossman
Another year, another problem with a quarterback. Jason Campbell, Donovan Mcnabb, no matter who the Redskins get, it doesn’t quite fit. The QB battle between Rex Grossman and John Beck got a lot of national attention for a contest between two relatively mediocre and unknown as these two.
With Grossman announced as the starter for this Sunday’s opener against the Giants, there’s plenty of reason to be skeptical about the Redskins’ offense. Saying that the Redskins had trouble scoring touchdowns last season would be like saying Charlie Sheen occasionally has a fit: a gross understatement. Grossman doesn’t appear to be the type of quarterback to make a bad offense successful, but this year is a different story for the burgundy and gold and not because of the guy throwing the ball, but because of everyone else.
The Redskins have improved at just about every offensive position. While they lost Clinton Portis in the off-season, they went out and got Chris Hightower, who has more than impressed in the preseason. Rookie Roy Helu earned his spot, leading all rushers in the preseason with 173 yards. Ryan Torain is coming into his own as well, and a somewhat unknown offensive line has been clearing the way for them.
What may make the most impact on offense is the new crops of wide receivers. The Redskins were criticized for drafting and signing so many wide receivers, but the end result is that for the first time in a long time, there is a realistic chance that the ball will be thrown to someone not named Santana Moss or Chris Cooley.
Donte Stallworth drew the most attention, but Anthony Armstrong appeared to build on his strong season last year in the preseason. Rookies Niles Paul and Leonard Hankerson also impressed, and while Brandon Banks has been hurt, Terrence Austin finally found himself on the 53-man roster to start the season after leading the team with 11 receptions and 141 yards in the preseason.
In four preseason games, the Redskins scored 93 points, including nine touchdowns. They accumulated 1,542 yards, or an average of 404.5 per game. 2010′s average was 244.6 yards per game. Where the difference may be most stark, however, is on first downs. The Skins had 87 first downs this preseason (21.75/game), and 52 of them from passing. Last season? 18.4 per game.
Granted, we only have the preseason to judge. That’s not really an accurate description of how the entire season is going to go. “Off-Season Champs” has been a label hanging around the neck of the Redskins for the last five years, and “Preseason Champs” is just as worthless. However, the offense shown in those four games is nothing like the offense shown in the last two seasons.
With the Skins’ signature three-and-out nearly expunged, we may be in the beginning stages of the true plan of the Shanahans. While the quarterbacks may not be as good as those of the last two seasons, they may be leading an offense that it the best Washington has seen in years.
