Washington Redskins Fans Uncharacteristically Quiet After Rex Grossman's Big Day

At 5-9, no one is going to mistake the Washington Redskins with any of the elite teams in the NFL. After benching underwhelming quarterback Donovan McNabb, many were quick to highlight that backup Rex Grossman was neither the future nor an upgrade. A loss to the division rival Dallas Cowboys proved one of those theories right.

With four touchdown passes, it is safe to say Grossman provided an upgrade at quarterback.

Not enough time has passed for the Grossman naysayers to find their self-serving rationalization for why he had the game he did against the Cowboys. No one is saying he is going to be the future of the franchise, but for a guy who hasn't started a game since 2008, it says that he is better suited for the offense than McNabb. Grossman threw as many touchdowns in one start as McNabb had in his previous three starts.

It is safe to say that McNabb isn't going to be back with the Redskins next season after being shown up by a supposed downgrade at quarterback.

One of the issues many Redskins fans had to start the season and throughout the season with McNabb at the helm was the lack of playmakers on offense outside of Santana Moss and Chris Cooley. An understandable concern when Joey Galloway was the second receiver to start the season. Against Dallas, however, there was no shortage of playmakers making their presence known for the floundering Redskins.

Grossman showed better accuracy, composure and comfort in the offense than McNabb had shown at any point all season.

After many games this season, fans complained about the poor play-calling being a big reason for McNabb's ineffectiveness. With the exception of the confounding abandonment of the run game, I contend that it was McNabb who was holding the play-calling back. Kyle Shanahan's offense demands an accurate pocket passer, which McNabb is not.

Notice the number of quick routes and screens the Redskins utilized against the Cowboys? Accuracy.

McNabb has many bad habits, from throwing off of his back foot to falling away from his throws. Grossman is hardly a perfect quarterback, but he doesn't have the same issues McNabb has and it allows him to thrive in the established system.

The screens Washington ran were not the same screens McNabb ran in Philadelphia, just so no one tries to jump on that train of thought.

The popular opinion about Mike Shanahan's decision to bench McNabb for the final three games of the season was decidedly negative. Many fans and experts were quick to question his intelligence after a year away from football, but the negativity hasn't persisted. There is an odd silence from the fans that can only mean there are more than a few tongue's being bitten after Grossman showed everyone up on Sunday.

He may not be the starter next season, but at least the Redskins know what they've got. Maybe switching into a competitive evaluation mode will serve Washington better than a few meaningless victories with McNabb in the huddle.