NFL Free Agency: Why the Washington Redskins Need To Make a Play for Vince Young

In just three days since the NFL lockout ended, the Washington Redskins have watched their starting quarterback, Donovan McNabb, and curious nose tackle, Albert Haynesworth, leave town for greener pastures in Minnesota and New England respectively.

Enter John Beck, the 29-year-old former Brigham Young prospect with five games of NFL quarterback experience under his belt.

Time to panic?

Almost. Let me explain.

The Redskins have showed little urgency in solving their current quarterback dilemma.

The front office was content with the idea shipping out McNabb by the end of last season, and Haynesworth struggled to pass a physical last offseason and was constantly feuding with head coach Mike Shanahan.

Washington was right to waive goodbye to those players, they had clearly given up on the Redskins rebuilding effort.

But someone should alert Redskins owner Dan Snyder that the lockout is over, and that it's once again time to start throwing money at people in order to cure Washington's losing ways.

Signing Donte' Stallworth is not going to fix the Redskins offense. Who's going to get him the ball?

Enter Vince Young, the troubled game-changing quarterback who went 30-17 as a starter in Tennessee.

Young's 54 career games trump Beck's five, and over the past three seasons, Young has 23 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions to his name.

Young can run as well (5.2 yards per carry for his career), something Redskins quarterbacks must be good at, at least until the offensive line improves.

Young's record as a starter speaks for itself, and Young even has previous playoff experience with the Titans.

Oh, and Young (28) is even younger than Beck.

If the Redskins are to have any chance at being competitive next season, they need someone under center, they need a winner, they need Vince Young.

Patrick Clarke is a Featured Columnist for the Phoenix Suns. Follow on Twitter @_Pat_Clarke