The Redskins don’t appear to have a team as constituted that is a threat to win the NFC East. However, the addition of the large draft class, younger free agents and vets acquired via trade would seem to indicate that Washington could be competitive in 2011. An 8-8 finish against a division where the Eagles and Giants look to be better than in 2010 would be a significant accomplishment for a team that was behind 49-0 to the Eagles on Monday Night Football and again lost both games to the Giants while being overpowered physically.
But that 8-8 finish depends mightily upon getting solid production from the quarterback position. Based upon what we have seen out of Rex Grossman over eight seasons in the NFL and the skill set (limited arm strength) of John Beck, one can question whether staying the course for another season at qb is ultimately what holds this team back from showing improvement on the scoreboard and in the standings.
Truthfully, I would not rate the Giants chances in 2011 highly if you were to put John Beck in as the starter and move Eli Manning to another team. The Eagles are probably strong enough to make the playoffs with Beck at qb, but not strong enough to win a Super Bowl.
So, the question is whether another season at 6-10 or similar and higher picks in 2012 is worth holding one hand behind your back so to speak at the most critical position on the field.
It would seem as if a trade for Kyle Orton would improve the Redskins offense and at 28 give the team a player the team can grow with. Hard to believe but Beck who has only played in a few games 4 years ago is actually almost 2 full years older than Orton.
While Orton’s detractors would say McDaniels’ pass happy offense in Denver put up stats but not wins, I would say that with Knowshon Moreno at running back and the likes of Jabar Gaffney and Brandon Lloyd as the wideouts that Orton did a very nice job given the talent on hand.
Orton has his flaws. He is not fleet of foot and is not going to get outside of the pocket and make plays on the run. You have to protect him. And he has shown himself to be a streaky passer with hot and cold efforts sometimes back to back.
But for the compensation that Denver is talking about and their obvious desire to resolve the qb situation vis a vis Tim Tebow, the Broncos are a motivated seller.
And even if the Redskins plan is to draft a passer in the 2012 draft, it might be 2013 or 2014 before that player is ready to take over and lead this team to victories in the postseason.
Orton could be that 2-3 year bridge the team needs to develop the wide receivers and put this team back on the map before we find that franchise qb for the next decade. Because it’s apparent he isn’t on the team right now.
But that 8-8 finish depends mightily upon getting solid production from the quarterback position. Based upon what we have seen out of Rex Grossman over eight seasons in the NFL and the skill set (limited arm strength) of John Beck, one can question whether staying the course for another season at qb is ultimately what holds this team back from showing improvement on the scoreboard and in the standings.
Truthfully, I would not rate the Giants chances in 2011 highly if you were to put John Beck in as the starter and move Eli Manning to another team. The Eagles are probably strong enough to make the playoffs with Beck at qb, but not strong enough to win a Super Bowl.
So, the question is whether another season at 6-10 or similar and higher picks in 2012 is worth holding one hand behind your back so to speak at the most critical position on the field.
It would seem as if a trade for Kyle Orton would improve the Redskins offense and at 28 give the team a player the team can grow with. Hard to believe but Beck who has only played in a few games 4 years ago is actually almost 2 full years older than Orton.
While Orton’s detractors would say McDaniels’ pass happy offense in Denver put up stats but not wins, I would say that with Knowshon Moreno at running back and the likes of Jabar Gaffney and Brandon Lloyd as the wideouts that Orton did a very nice job given the talent on hand.
Orton has his flaws. He is not fleet of foot and is not going to get outside of the pocket and make plays on the run. You have to protect him. And he has shown himself to be a streaky passer with hot and cold efforts sometimes back to back.
But for the compensation that Denver is talking about and their obvious desire to resolve the qb situation vis a vis Tim Tebow, the Broncos are a motivated seller.
And even if the Redskins plan is to draft a passer in the 2012 draft, it might be 2013 or 2014 before that player is ready to take over and lead this team to victories in the postseason.
Orton could be that 2-3 year bridge the team needs to develop the wide receivers and put this team back on the map before we find that franchise qb for the next decade. Because it’s apparent he isn’t on the team right now.
