Looking Forward: QB Caretaker for 2012 Redskins? How about Rex Grossman?

It's that time of year again, where Redskins fans start thinking about the next one. One thing that has me a little confused is that there don't seem to be many projecting the return of Rex Grossman as our QB caretaker. While we try to be realistic when creating our scenarios, we also inject a little armchair GM'ing, otherwise where's the fun in it? However, the excesses of our owner have led most of us to curtail our fan-thusiasm when imagining the future, and recent suggestions of the future at QB stretch credulity.

There's a running joke with respect to Kyle Shanahan's personnel preference; namely his predilection for picking up Texans cast-offs, guys who already know the system the Redskins are utilizing. Thinking of this also brought to mind a recent point from Ken's most recent Ten Yard Fight:

You know how you learn to win in the NFL? BY WINNING. It is just that simple. Winning begets winning. If we are serious about carrying over stability and continuity from 2011 into 2012, then we need wins this year to help us be winners next year.

This is tangentially applicable to Kyle's 'philosophy', these guys, knowing the system, can focus on winning within said system and provide a stop gap solution while the team continues to reload for the future. Now of course any clear upgrade of talent (or especially youth and talent) represents a 'Plan A' and will trump the 'Plan B' or 'Plan C' debate with respect to the QB position. Remember, Kyle Orton is no one's 'Plan A'.

If it seems I've gotten a little off base, I apologize. Further forgive my mentioning a few truisms; continuity is essential to establishing a winning culture, players play better with a leader they know and respect, and finally a question: remember who that guy is this year?

A different QB can change everything about the offense. If that wasn't clear before, getting an up close and personal look at our team under Rex Grossman and John Beck should drive that point home. And yes, I'll admit I was in the 'Shanahan said Rex and Beck are 1 and 1A, let's see what 1A can do' camp. Why would our coaches jeopardize the competitive chemistry the offense seems to enjoy from time to time with a QB that knows the system, enjoys the confidence of the offensive coordinator and commands the respect of said offense for a QB who doesn't represent the 'Plan A' kind of upgrade we talked about earlier? Doesn't that make talk about grabbing a different non-franchise caretaker a change-for-change's-sake?

And if you buy nothing else, remember these are the Shanahans. Papa staked his reputation on Beck and Grossman. One of those two will be gone next year, could you really see him letting both of them walk? Now that is a projection that doesn't stretch my credulity.