Washington Redskins: Rex Grossman or John Beck as Regular Season Starter?

Head Coach Mike Shanahan Has His Hands Tied With a QB Competition

It may not appear to be one at first glance.

Rex Grossman over John Beck in a landslide.

But—before we jump to any conclusions—let's take a more conscientious approach to the football team located in the nation's capital.

Right now, John Beck is sidelined with an injury, but who knows what his situation will be come time for kickoff against the Indianapolis Colts on Friday evening?

For one, Beck has signed a contract that keeps him in a Redskins' uniform through the 2012 season, so how could he not be considered in the running for Washington's starting QB?

Secondly, head coach Mike Shanahan neglected to draft a rookie QB, despite having the No. 16 overall pick.

So, was the plan back then to assure Beck as the team's backup QB?

Maybe so, but let's face it, no one who has ever played pro football has gone into a situation thinking, "I hope I get to be the backup QB!"

Especially when your only competition comes from a guy name Rex Grossman.

And when you think of Rex Grossman, do you think of a solid NFL starting QB? Or do you think of false hopes and dreams being crushed by flaky play?

(Cut to a scene of sobbing Chicago Bears fans)

Grossman's best season came with the Bears, during their 2006 Super Bowl-run campaign.

That year, Rex threw for more than 3,100 yards and connected for 23 touchdown passes.

However, he also got robbed 20 times en route to only completing 54.6 percent of his passes. In addition, his QB rating finalized at 73.9.

And that was the best season of his career.

It was also the only year in his pro career in which he started all 16 games.

The following season (in 2007), he received time in only eight games, because after starting the first three, he had only one touchdown to six picks.

He would then lose the starting role to Brian Griese, of all players, who's not even in the NFL anymore.

So, here's the current debacle that Mike Shanahan finds himself in.

You have Grossman, a shaky starter who's had multiple opportunities to prove himself but keeps failing to do so.

Then you have Beck, who has yet to be given a real and thorough opportunity to showcase whether he can even be an NFL QB.

Plus, he's currently injured.

From a gut-feeling perspective, Grossman may be the day one starter, but it should only be by default, as Beck isn't 100 percent.

However, don't be surprised if Rex gets the shaft after the first two weeks of the season, and then we see John Beck get some evaluation time (as I like to call it).

So yes, Rex Grossman gets the Week 1 start, but he's on a short leash despite his solid play in the first preseason game.

Be sure to check out John on Bleacher Report.

And, you can follow him on Twitter @ Sportswriter27.