Redskins vs. Panthers: Kyle Shanahan Should Prepare John Beck for Multiple Looks

In his first full start this season, John Beck's biggest challenge might be identification.  Beck could have a hard time identifying a pattern to the Carolina Panthers defense.

Recently Panthers.com reported that Carolina's rookie head coach Ron Rivera is experimenting with the idea of including more 3-4 looks in the Panthers defense.

The Panthers will welcome any idea to improve their porous defense and Rivera and defensive coordinator Sean McDermott could opt for more switching between 3-4 and 4-3 fronts.

Against the Atlanta Falcons last week, the Panthers aligned in a 3-4 front more than once and they could use the simple tactic again this week, to confuse Beck and beat the Redskins offense before the snap.

Despite injuries at linebacker, the NFC South cellar dwellers can still call upon talented duo Dan Connor and James Anderson.

This week they also added Jason Phillips who has plenty of 3-4 experience from his time playing in the Baltimore Ravens hybrid defense.

Up front, rookie Sione Fua has struggled at defensive tackle and is a more natural 3-4 anchor man, having played in the 3-4 at Stanford.

Regular switching will challenge Beck to identify the Mike Linebacker and be able to recognise and read exactly what he is seeing.

Kyle Shanahan will need to simplify his audible system and provide Beck with plenty of easy check down options.

Santana Moss could be crucial working underneath.  An experienced receiver like Moss is just the kind of dependable outlet Beck will need to rely on. 

Shanahan should look to move Moss around and match him up on the extra linebacker, whenever the Panthers jump into a 3-4 base.

The Redskins could nullify all the deception and movement from the Panthers, simply by letting their running game dictate the offense.

The Panthers have the 31st-ranked rush defense in the league and the trio of Tim Hightower, Ryan Torain and Roy Helu must ruthlessly exploit this weakness.

Ultimately though, the game will likely be a close one, determined by the efficiency of Beck.  The Redskins staff must prepare Beck to recognise and handle the multiple schemes Rivera will throw at him.