Washington Redskins: Starting John Beck Is a Temporary Solution to QB Problem

The Washington Redskins offense is going to be in big trouble this week and for the rest of the season. Beyond losing left tackle Trent Williams for several weeks with a high ankle sprain and seeing left guard Kory Lichtensteiger put on IR, the quarterback situation is a growing concern.

Rex Grossman played himself out of the starting job more than John Beck played himself into it, but what happens after this season?

In his all-too-delayed relief of Grossman, Beck displayed the superior mobility that made him the preseason favorite to start. After a shaky start, Beck connected with Donte Stallworth, Santana Moss, Terrence Austin, Jabar Gaffney and Fred Davis en route to a rushing touchdown on a red-zone quarterback keeper.

Despite the display of late-game heroics, it doesn't do much to ease the concerns of fans and experts.

Beck's NFL career is short and insignificant, and now he is saddled with the so-called toughest job in Washington. He played the part of starter during the lockout and kept it up during the preseason. Grossman being named the starter was a shock to everyone, both because of the situation and Grossman's lack of credibility as a starter.

Grossman's career highlight is being the quarterback that the Chicago Bears defense carried to Super Bowl 41.

So, what works better for the Redskins? A player in Beck, who has never had a real chance in the NFL and hasn't been deemed worthy of a chance based on his ability? Or a player in Grossman, who has regularly squandered his opportunities as a starter by completing more game-changing passes to the opposition than his own team?

Regardless of the answer, the Redskins are bound to come up short this season because of the quarterback play.

Washington's defense is ranked sixth overall in the NFL, third in points per game allowed, second in third-down conversion percentage and fourth in sacks. The defense has been the saving grace for the Redskins, and Grossman was lucky his repeated mistakes didn't lead the Redskins to a worse start.

This season is a long ways away from being over, but what happens if Beck doesn't provide the necessary spark moving forward?

The draft is the obvious answer, but it also raises numerous other questions. Do they give up some picks this year and next year to maneuver for Andrew Luck? Do they take a risk on a raw, but talented athlete like Robert Griffin III?

Mike Shanahan has done some good things with a seemingly ragtag bunch of players on offense, but there is a ceiling to that success with the current quarterback situation.

The questions that come out of this season are likely to equal the ones asked during, but it doesn't change the issue. Beck and Grossman are not franchise-quarterback material, and the Redskins need someone they can build the offense around.