Rex Grossman, Mike Shanahan and the Washington Redskins Offense

So, Rex Grossman was given back his starting job by Mike Shanahan last week. Then the Washington Redskins went out against the second worst team in the NFL and lost to them.

It was more of the same from the Washington offense; no touchdowns, no running game and costly interceptions.

The Redskins sit at 3-6 and their season is effectively over with one more loss, so why isn't Mike Shanahan allowing John Beck to develop as a starter? Why is he placing the offense under Rex Grossman again, when he knows exactly what he won't get from him?

Does he think that Rex might go undefeated the rest of the season? Of course not. So why this absurd decision? Why aren't the Redskins playing all their rookies and getting them invaluable game time at the NFL level?

There are two reasons, really. One reason is legit, and one smacks of cowardice.

The legit reason is that the team is becoming more and more vocal about their preferred quarterback, and the consensus is that the offense wants Grossman. If this is true, then putting Rex back under center is an understandable move.

If your receivers believe in Grossman's decision-making over Beck's, then there is probably an honest reason why. Their experience on the practice field and in the game gives them far better insight than we could ever hope for.

Lets face it, the players are only human, and whether they are looking at the playoffs or not, nobody wants to lose. So you want the people out there that give you the best chance to win.

My problem with this is that I believe Mike Shanahan is playing the misdirection game yet again. He's acting like he's still looking for the postseason.

I don't believe he's thinking about wins or losses at all. I think he's covering his ass.

The truth is, every time Beck loses a game, it's Mike Shanahan's fault, but every time Rex drops one, it's the quarterback's fault.

The last few weeks have seen the inevitable mid-season Redskins fan rantings and ravings, calling for the coaches to be fired. Seems like it's an annual tradition, doesn't it? Well, Mike Shanahan noticed. There are even blogs out there calling for his head.

Yet last week, the main story was how Rex threw the game-losing interception. With Rex and his ability to move the ball between the 20's, it makes the coaches look like the scheme works, but the interception in the red zone cost us the game.

See? It's all Rex's fault.

What a crock of manure. The truth is far more complex than that. There are several issues to be resolved on the offensive side of the ball, and we all know it. The scheme can work at times, but the personnel simply aren't there in adequate depth.

Also, our young guys have shown tremendous strides after being allowed to play a few games. Why not give them more? How do we know they won't give us the spark we need? The idea that Grossman will provide it is laughable. It is not realistic to believe that he will make it happen.

I know the players prefer him, but he hasn't been able to get it done. Why should we think he gives us the best chance to win? Because Mike Shanahan says so?

With Rex under center, we might win two more games this season, while with Beck we might...well...win two more games.

Neither quarterback will get us to the playoffs this year.

Rex Grossman is our starter because Mike Shanahan is playing to protect the coaches. Shame on him.