NFL Free Agency Ideas: 5 QB Options for Washington Redskins Other Than John Beck

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The Washington Redskins are looking like they're ready to walk into the fire that is a 16-game NFL season with John Beck as their starting quarterback.

May God have mercy on their souls.

But in all seriousness, Beck is as unproven as they come, and he's done absolutely nothing thus far into his career that suggests he's going to magically be the next Kurt Warner.

Maybe Mike Shanahan believes in Beck. Maybe Shanahan believes in Beck's ability to fail so the Redskins can take Andrew Luck with the top pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

Or maybe Beck is the first stop before Washington gets serious and actually adds a competent NFL passer. If it decides to go that route, here are five other guys not named John Beck that Washington's security guards may recognize, and could probably do a better job under center.

5. Rex Grossman

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I know you probably expect to see Kellen Clemens appear on this list, but you'll never catch me saying anything good about him. So, that puts Rex Grossman, who isn't even actually under contract yet, next in line to kick Beck to the curb.

Grossman has been to a Super Bowl and flashed brilliance early in his career. Unfortunately, injuries and a light backing from his coaching staff while in Chicago have completely crushed his confidence. He's simply an erratic passer and he's unlikely to ever change.

With all that being said, he's still a better option that Beck.

4. Matt Moore

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Moore isn't expected back in Carolina and, according to a report by The Oregonian, he is set to land in Miami instead of the rumored Kyle Orton. However, if this plan fizzles out, he doesn't have many tantalizing options to filter through.

Unless he's completely okay with being a backup on any team he can get his hands on (which could easily be the case), he might elbow his agent and consider talking to the front office brass in Washington.

Moore isn't really a full-time starting quarterback, but he's shown solid ability and game management in spurts. He's not necessarily a better option than Grossman, but he's definitely not much worse. One thing is for sure: He'd be more ready to perform than John Beck would.

3. Marc Bulger

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Bulger got absolutely pummeled over the course of his final 2-3 years with the St. Louis Rams, and it could be possible he still hasn't fully recovered.

He played the backup role for the first time in a while in Baltimore last season, so he may not be too worried about continuing doing so for the remainder of his career.

While his mindset doesn't provide much encouragement, he still can be an accurate and effective passer in the right situation. That might not necessarily be Washington, but there's still a good chance he'd fare better than either Beck or Grossman.

2. Carson Palmer

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Palmer is supposedly retired (per Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown), and the team refuses to release or trade him. As cemented as that appears, teams (and unruly owners) have been known to suck it up and make the right decision in the past.

While erratic and inconsistent, Palmer easily has the most talent when compared to Beck, Grossman, Bulger and Moore, and he also has the most experience. He's retired and he has a horrible attitude, but a change of scenery would likely change both issues right away.

1. Brett Favre

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You knew it was coming, so just grin and bear it. Brett Favre is done, but is he really done? Once Mike Shanahan wakes up and realizes the mess he's in with Beck under center, he might skip past these other free-agent veteran quarterbacks and go for broke with Favre.

Favre may not be able to make it through a full season anymore, and he may not be quite what he once was, but he still has the arm and talent to play better football than every quarterback on this list. On top of that, Favre's ego and price tag could be appeased by Daniel "Bottomless Pockets" Snyder.

It's a long shot, but with Favre's history, it's definitely not impossible.

 

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