Washington Redskins: 4 Things We Learned in Loss to the Carolina Panthers

The Washington Redskins season has taken a marked turn south. The optimism over the team's 3-1 start is all but forgotten, marred by the two consecutive performances that remind fans why Sports Illustrated picked this team to go 2-14.

What is particularly discouraging about the Redskins' latest defeat is that unlike their loss against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Redskins didn't hand over the game to Carolina by committing a slew of turnovers and penalties. They just got beat by what looked like a superior team. 

Yes, the Redskins committed three turnovers, but that's not why they lost.

They lost because Carolina's offensive line opened up huge holes for running backs Johnathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams, allowing the Panthers to amass 175 yards on the ground and dominate time of possession. 

They lost because while John Beck is an upgrade from Rex Grossman, he's still not a top-notch NFL quarterback. He finished with a QB rating well under 100, committed one of the dumbest intentional grounding penalties I've ever seen and was fortunate Carolina's defense didn't pick off two more of his passes.

They lost because Steve Smith victimized a Washington secondary that looked lost without Oshiomogho Atogwe.

They lost because they don't have a superstar like Cam Newton, a player who can turn broken plays into substantial offensive games and deliver pinpoint passes in critical situations. 

That last point is the Redskins biggest problem. In a league dominated by superstars like Calvin Johnson, Ray Lewis, Troy Polamalu and Aaron Rodgers, the Redskins lack a player who scares opposing coaches. The Redskins best players—Brian Orakpo and Fred Davis—are good, but not transcendent. Unlike Newton, a superstar in the making, no one on the Redskins can single handedly control stretches of a game on any given Sunday. 

Until the Redskins get such a player, they will not contend for another Super Bowl. 

That's the primary thing we learned on Sunday. Here's four more.

Cam Newton Is a Franchise Quarterback and Then Some

This was the first time all season I watched an entire Carolina Panthers game, and I can say with confidence that Cam Newton isn't as good as advertised; he's better.

Ever since Randall Cunningham left the NFL, football pundits and analysts have been waiting for a quarterback who combined Cunningham's scrambling ability with Joe Montana's precision passing. Such a quarterback would essentially be the ultimate offensive weapon in what is now a pass first league.

Donovan McNabb was a poor man's version of this quarterback for much of his career, but he never seemed to fulfill his full potential. Michael Vick has been this quarterback for fits and spurts—he is the best pure rushing quarterback in NFL history—but only recently has he become a consistent passing threat.  

Newton could very well become this quarterback and dominate the league for years to come. The fact that he has entered the league at a time when the rules have been modified to benefit quarterbacks just plays to his advantage.

Against the Redskins, Newton showed the complete package.

Facing a third-and-nine on the Panthers first offensive possession, Newton scrambled for 25 yards, breaking countless Redskins tackles in the process. It's easy to heap blame on Washington defenders for missing tackles on that play, but how often can players be expected to tackle a 248 lb.-quarterback with the speed and agility of a great running back. 

In the second half, Newton threw two passes that Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers would be hard pressed to one-up. In the third quarter, Newton threw a perfectly timed out-route to Steve Smith. In the fourth quarter, he lofted a perfect deep ball to Smith that set-up Carolina's final touchdown. Both passes were thrown to a spot where only the Smith could get to them. Newton still has a long way to go, but he has the potential to become an incredible passer.

Newton also showed incredible poise for a 22-year-old rookie. The Redskins defense sacked him four times, but Newton never looked rattled. He just got up and continued to attack. Against that kind of talent, it's hard to blame the Redskins defense for yielding 30 points. 

Finally, Newton's demeanor is incredibly refreshing. He plays the game with the type of unbridled joy usually found in collegiate athletes. Unlike some NFL players, like James Harrison, who approach football like tribal warfare, Newton seems to understand that professional sports are supposed to be fun, and he conveys this sense fun to the fans who tune in Sunday for a couple hours of entertainment. Regardless of how fans feel about Newton's conduct at Auburn University, it's refreshing to see a young athlete who conducts himself in this manner.

If he continues to work hard and improve, Newton will be a headache to defenses for years to come.

John Beck Is Not a Long-Term Quarterback Solution for the Redskins

John Beck played adequately on Sunday. He managed the game, threw for over 200 yards and most importantly, led two long scoring drives that resulted in touchdowns. 

But at no point did he look like the type of quarterback on which a franchise could bank its future. 

He struggled reading the defense for significant chunks of the game. Early in the second quarter, Beck forced a pass to Jabar Gaffney in the red zone that almost resulted in a pick six. He failed to notice that Anthony Armstrong was wide open on the other side of the field, and instead of scoring a touchdown, the Redskins came away from that possession with just a field goal.

On every Redskins passing play, it seemed like Beck knew who he was going to throw the ball to before the play developed, and he missed open players as a result.

Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan could have called more play action in the first-half, when the Redskins running game was clicking on all cylinders. That would have helped Beck get into a better rhythm. But Beck is ultimately responsible for finding open teammates and capitalizing on scoring opportunities.

The Redskins offense looks more efficient under Beck than it did under Grossman, and that should suffice for the remainder of the season. Still, Shanahan and general manager Bruce Allen need to start thinking about how they are going to land a legitimate franchise quarterback. 

The Redskins Have an Elite Pass Rush

The Redskins defense may have given up 30 points, but don't fault the pass rushers. Jim Haslett's aggressive schemes paid off once again, as the Redskins recorded four sacks and pressured Newton on several other occasions. 

If the Redskins can improve their secondary, their defense could become the league's best. The front seven continues to do a stellar job at getting to opposing quarterbacks and disrupting game plans. 

Unfortunately, Cam Newton and Steve Smith victimized the Redskins secondary enough to negate the pressure applied by Brian Orakpo and Co. Without better corner backs, the Redskins will remain susceptible to giving up big plays.

Graham Gano Is a Legitimate NFL Kicker

I've criticized Graham Gano in the past and openly wondered whether he was a legitimate NFL kicker. I should have given him more credit.

In recent weeks, Gano has been automatic. On Sunday, he didn't break a sweat while hitting two field goals including one from 49 yards.

His leg strength allows him to consistently force touchbacks or put the opposing team's kickoff receiver so deep in the end zone that bringing it out usually results in field position inside the 20. 

Special teams often get overlooked in the NFL, but having a kicker as competent as Gano will serve the Redskins well down the stretch.