Snide Debate: Should the Redskins Carry 3 QBs?

by Kevin Ewoldt on Aug 6, 2010 1:19 PM EDT in Redskins Training Camp

Rick Snider has covered the Redskins since 1983. He's a columnist with the Washington Examiner. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com.

Topic: Given McNabb's injury history, Rex's ineffectiveness history, and a patchwork (in the works) o-line that could still resemble an ongoing Oklahoma drill for the quarterbacks, it's as if this team is doomed to carry 3 QB's. I'd love to think that that extra spot can go towards keeping Torain on the roster or more depth on the D-line, but is that really possible or even smart?

Snider: Shanahan said he'll only keep two quarterbacks, which was a surprise. The Redskins have done it before, partly by stashing a rookie on the practice squad. I think that's what they'll do again this year and use the extra roster slot for an offensive lineman or receiver. Personally, I'd only keep two quarterbacks if you keep the third on the practice squad.

Kevin: If Rex and McNabb are the two QBs on the roster, you can't expect John Beck to sit on the practice squad and NOT get signed by another team. Shanny said he'd keep 2 QBs ONLY IF the third one doesn't warrant the spot. That was obviously the case with Bartel and Colt, but Beck changes things. He was a high 2nd round pick, who Kyle Shanahan coincidentally coveted out of BYU. I am more nervous about the depth on DLine than WR or OLine. Ma'ake and Haynesworth are already hurt.

Snider: Ma'ake says he's 60 percent so maybe by opening day he's 75 percent, which will be as good as he gets once real play begins. Haynesworth's gonna be fine. D-line has plenty of ammo for now. I agree Beck is better than the usual third-stringer, but if someone offers him a full slot while on practice squad, the Redskins can do so then, too, if they feel he's worth it. But, with McNabb probably signing a three-year deal soon and Grossman the choice of the staff for backup, do you think Beck would ever start here? Only given two injuries. He's not really worth worrying about for now.

Kevin: The problem with Ma'ake was that last month he said he was 90%...obviously that was in workouts, but it's really discouraging. I think it's conceivable Rex Grossman gets challenged for the #2 spot, after all, he lost the starting gig to Kyle Orton, who improved over time, but was pretty horrific when he first won the #1 spot. If McNabb goes down and there's only Rex Grossman on the roster, I'll have to figure out something else to do on Sundays. Maybe we rent a tandem bike around DC or segway tours!?

With a patchwork OL that has no depth, I think you simply have to carry 3 QBs...it takes time to learn this playbook. Obviously we'll see how Beck does the next 4 weeks, but if he does decent, I think you have to keep him.

Snider: I don't think Rex is as bad as you fear. Hopefully McNabb doesn't get hurt, but Rex isn't bad for a No. 2. Who do you want -- Manning? As for tours, I'll take you around the monuments and teach you some history. By the way, my Joey Galloway will catch 40 balls this year bet with you is looking good.

What do you think? (assuming Beck is a decent backup and there are banged up players like there are now the time to cut players comes up).

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My feeling is

if this other person is a third stinger, meaning Rex Grossman is better than him..I’m not sure he would be good enough to warrant a spot..I mean if Mcnabb went down, I bet we could find somebody along that skill level who is on someone’s practice squad…

by Jornek on Aug 6, 2010 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

I guess we will se how it goes in preseason....

I am kinda hoping Torrain will beat out Parker anyway. Maybe this kid is good and the Shanahan’s can bring the best out of him. Only carrying two QB’s sounds scary to me right now, but will continue to rely on Shanny’s judgement….unless it all blows up in his face and then I will hypocritically judge him in true “monday morning QB” fashion…. I dunno guys, Rex scares the hell out of me.

by MagicHat on Aug 6, 2010 1:41 PM EDT reply actions

Rex scares me too....

Is he any different than Danny Weurfel? Would we want Danny Weurfel as our #2 with no #3 available on the road in Dallas? Didn’t think so….

My concern over only carrying two QB’s is based almost solely on Weurf-man as the backup. I won’t assume that every team has a laddie in waiting like Cassel was in NE, but when there are teams using Bulger, Anderson, Quinn and so on as backups, while we settle on Rex I dunno… Hell, The Bills have three #2 QB’s on their roster and no real starter, so I guess things could be worse…

by gopens44 on Aug 6, 2010 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Did Wuerffel play in a SB?

by Parks Smith on Aug 6, 2010 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

In Mike I Trust

For now, I’m trusting Shanahan! My guess? He knows more about football and QBs than all of us combined. If not, we’re in deep doo-doo anyway!

by Tee L on Aug 7, 2010 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions

QBs

If Rex is as bad as you say (and I don’t think he is), won’t Beck beat him out? Of course, if that happened, what would we do with Rex? Cut him? If Rex wins, is Bartels a good enough #3? He could stay on the practice squad, saving the roster space. I never hear anybody say anything about him. What’s the story? He looks like a big tough guy, and he’s still here, with Colt gone. By the way – interesting that Snider thinks that AH will be “fine”.

by Donnio1234 on Aug 6, 2010 2:04 PM EDT reply actions

Beck

a good friend of mine who is a very big Ravens fan said he thinks we may have gotten a steal. Obviously it depends on what he shows in camp but I would be quite nervous about not carrying a third QB….

by SkinsOsTerps on Aug 6, 2010 2:12 PM EDT reply actions

I would give beck back

for Flacco.

by brettpedigo on Aug 6, 2010 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions

I say go with 2 qbs...

I can’t remember a time when a 3rd string qb came into a game that a team had a chance to win (or lose in the case of mop up suty). Would much prefer to have depth at some other position. And I really really really hope that McNabb doesn;t ever get hurt.

by rva on Aug 6, 2010 2:13 PM EDT reply actions

even if we carry a 3rd qb on the roster

3rd qb’s rarely suit up for the game day roster unless they play a different position like randle el

by skinsfan28 on Aug 6, 2010 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I would go with 2 qbs

by wizardsfan1 on Aug 6, 2010 2:31 PM EDT reply actions

From the outside looking in

The Redskins should defiantly carry three quarterbacks. You must assume that McNabb is not going to sign an extension. That would leave Washington with only one quarterback on its roster from 2010 in 2011 that would be Rex. Now he was given every opportunity to succeed in Chicago and he had limited success however in the long term he failed, unless Shanahan is content on playing out the early 2000s that the Redskins have seen. A Developmental young QB must be brought in on the roster to develop into the guy of the future much like Cutler was in Denver, Kolb in Philadelphia, Rogers in Green bay, the list can go on forever however, the proof is in the pudding.

Hey Dez, it's 2am do you know where your mother is?

by sowhatifitisasportste on Aug 6, 2010 2:39 PM EDT reply actions

The way Kevin opened the topic was concern about McNabb's injury history.

Since there have not been seasons when McNabb played the full 16 regular season games, the 3rd quarterback is imperative. There are special rules for the 3rd QB – the league’s third quarterback rule history http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/26/vick-and-the-third-quarterback-rule/

Shanny’s goal is also to have 7 active OL on game days and having backup OL that are versatile enough to play more than one position. Hence E Williams would have to play C, LG, and RG. This would be the case for the other OL reserves.
Whether the team has 25 each of offensive and defensive plus 3 specialty players is one issue, but whatever the case the team can only suit 45 players on game day. How all of this shakes out for the 53-man roster remains to be seen.

by Jefferson1935 on Aug 6, 2010 3:34 PM EDT reply actions

I think Grossman is only here because he knows K. Shanahan's system...

not to play extensively. It’s kind of like when Al Saunders brought over his backup (Todd Collins) from Kansas City when he became our Offensive Coordinator. They just want him to share his knowledge and help bring the other QB’s and players along. That being said, his use in that capacity may have used up its value after training camp and pre-season, but possibly they’ll want him a whole season additional.

Also, unlike stated above, I’ve heard that Bartel has looked very sharp to this point during this offseason.

I, therefore like only 2 possibilities. If Beck wows the coaches, then cut Grossman and put Bartel on the practice squad with McNabb and Beck on the roster. If he doesn’t, then cut Beck and keep Grossman as a knowledge source on the roster with McNabb starting and still put Bartel on the Practice Squad.

by preppiejack on Aug 6, 2010 3:43 PM EDT reply actions

Don't think your "knowledge" of Kyle's

system hold much water past the next week or so. He seems to be having a terrible camp. No amount of knowledge can make up for poor mechanics and a weak arm.

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.

by Scott E on Aug 6, 2010 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree.

That’s why I said I think that was the reason he was brought in here, not to necessarily make the team after preseason. I am leaning toward my first of two scenarios because of that.

by preppiejack on Aug 8, 2010 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Can Beck going on the practice squad?

If he’s played in regular season games?

by SSBlitz on Aug 6, 2010 3:50 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t know if he can or not but someone would claim him pretty quickly…

by Parks Smith on Aug 7, 2010 8:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Other options

It is likely that several other members of the Skins opening day roster have played at least a little QB in their past. And mostly handing off to runners is not all that difficult. You are NOT going to have two good starting QB’s on your team AND a satisfactory backup. If your starter and backup both get hurt in the same game, it’s just bad luck and tough doo-doo.

by Dipper on Aug 6, 2010 4:38 PM EDT reply actions

I hope McNabb is here for like 3 more years.

by wizardsfan1 on Aug 6, 2010 4:54 PM EDT reply actions

im closer to preppiejack. i think the redskins want a developmental qb. they liked beck and saved a 2nd round pick to try him out. if they think they can work with him, they will keep him. if he improves enough, grossman is cut next year. if they dont, no harm. though i think he makes the roster because it is such a short evaluation period and v few coaches admit to being wrong so quickly!

hopefully, by this time next year, it is obvious rex is an extra and bartel and beck can battle it out as the reserve qb in training!

by les boulez bomber on Aug 6, 2010 5:22 PM EDT reply actions

having said that, i dont remember shanahan having any positive experience developing qbs. didnt he inherit elway and trade for plummer? cutler was drafted but has always been overrated.

by les boulez bomber on Aug 6, 2010 5:24 PM EDT reply actions