CSN: Redskins' starting QB hardly a no-brainer

Wednesday, August 31, 2011 9:00 a.m.

By Rich Tandler and Ryan O?Halloran
Redskins Insiders
CSNwashington.com

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As the clock ticks closer to the start of the regular season, the Redskins remain only one of a handful of teams (Carolina, San Francisco and Jacksonville immediately come to mind) who have yet to declare their Week 1 starting quarterback.

The final audition for Rex Grossman and John Beck comes Thursday against Tampa Bay. Who should get the job? In the latest edition of Point-Counterpoint, Ryan O?Halloran and Rich Tandler make a case for their respective choices.

Ryan O?Halloran: This really should be an easy decision for the Coaches Shanahan (Mike and Kyle). Which quarterback gives the Redskins their best chance to beat the Giants in Week 1? And that?s obviously Grossman. Beck may have a bigger upside eventually and Grossman may be better equipped to come off the bench in a pinch at some point of the season but Rex showed in spurts last year that he has command of the offense, has taken better care of the football and would instantly be on the same page with Santana Moss and Chris Cooley. As much as I like Beck?s play in the preseason, there just isn?t a body of work to say he gives Washington its best chance against an NFC East rival like Big Blue.

Rich Tandler: I do like the way Grossman has played in the preseason but with him we have a larger body of work to examine. He has 1,104 passes in his career and guys in the wrong-colored jerseys have caught 40 of them. Add in 24 career fumbles and you have evidence supporting the rap that Grossman can be a turnover machine at times. Now, we don?t know if Beck will have the same issues or not but I believe that the Redskins should go with the guy who might be better at protecting the ball as opposed to one who has proven issues in that area.

O?Halloran: Here?s what clinched my vote for Grossman (despite his on-field performance) ? at halftime of the Baltimore game, a radio commentator got my attention and asked who I would pick. I said Grossman. The commentator ? better known as Pro Football Hall of Famer Sonny Jurgensen ? agreed, citing Grossman?s experience, pocket presence and experience playing in all kinds of elements. That was good enough for me.

Tandler: Hey, be careful there! You could break someone?s foot dropping a name like that! It is tough to argue with Sonny but to throw out a name backing my side in there, Jon Gruden thinks Beck should get the nod. And, frankly, I?m not sure where Sonny has seen much of a pocket presence out of Rex. See the above-referenced fumbling issues as evidence. The Redskins offensive line has improved but not to the point where they are going to give the quarterback Hogs-like protection. Beck?s mobility will come in handy as will his ability to hit receivers while he is on the move.

O?Halloran: I ran into Sonny in the parking lot at Redskins Park Tuesday and asked him if he ever encountered a situation like this in his career. He said he hadn?t, so we?re dealing with some really rare stuff here. I?ll go to the post on Grossman because adversity will strike at some point and we know he can handle it. We don?t know that about Beck yet.

Tandler: It?s true that we don?t know about Beck ? but neither do the NFL?s defensive coordinators. It will be several weeks before there is a book on Beck and the Redskins could take advantage of that to get off to a badly needed fast start. If and when they figure out how to exploit the holes in Beck?s game, the Redskins can turn to Grossman, who, as you mentioned in your first point, has experience coming off of the bench.

You can reach Ryan O?Halloran by email at rohalloran@comcastsportsnet.com and you can email Rich Tandler atRTandlerCSN@comcast.net . Follow Ryan on Twitter @ryanohalloran and follow Rich @Rich_Tandler.

Source: http://www.csnwashington.com/08/31/11/Point-Counterpoint-Rex-or-Beck/landing_redskins_loud3r.html?blockID=556846&feedID=6458

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