Will You Love Me Later?
If ever there was a moment in recent sports history where the phrase 'How ya like me now' could be uttered, this could be that moment.
After Rex Grossman 'filled in' for Donovan McNabb Sunday in Dallas, the Skins grossed 30 points, and saw the former backup - now starting QB - throw for four touchdowns, leaving fans and Donovan McNabb wondering if Grossman is the one.
Some think McNabb is no longer the one. (McNabb was benched for the remaining 2010 season).
In a season that's had its share of turmoil, 'shanahan'-agins, comedy central-like antics, bloopers and blunders; the Redskins, actually looked competitive against Dallas - despite the fact that the two teams are equally miserable. Both teams are 5-9.
What was the difference?
Was the play calling the same? It's been 13 games and the schematics hadn't worked for most of the season. Had the play calling changed in game 14? What made the difference between a quarterback who hadn't seen play action since 2008 vs a starting, six-time Pro Bowl quarterback?
I'll tell you what it could be.
Everybody in Washington penned Rex Grossman - a protege of the Shanahans - as the odd man out, the worse QB in NFL history. Certainly, not better than McNabb.
Grossman was called every name in the book of 'Bad Names to Call A Quarterback'.
With all the negative press surrounding him, the name calling, the doubting, Grossman did what everyone does when they're being doubted.
He became the little engine that could.
The Skins came behind from a huge deficit (7-27) to rally in the third and fourth quarters under Grossman's helm. He threw touchdown passes to the team's mainstay, Santana Moss, and teammate Chris Cooley, that would tie the game at thirty points a piece.
Stop right there.
Thirty points? The Skins haven't scored thirty or more since their 41-17 win over Buffalo in the preseason.
Despite the impressive thirty points, however, the team still lost when they couldn't manage to score again in the remaining minutes of the game.
Sound familiar?
The Cowboys were able to score, however. Dallas scored off a field goal when the Skins - forced to punt - allowed the Cowboys to regain possession with 3:11 remaining.
When the dust cleared, the team who had beat their rival earlier in the season, succumbed to another devastating blow in the 33-30 loss.
Grossman was the hero - at least for the day, and McNabb (although happy for his teammate) was left shaking his head.
McNabb is not even the backup QB.
Shanahan told the media that the next two weeks following the Dallas game that John Beck would be the backup quarterback so that he could see Beck in his role.
Wow.
That's a two-time demotion.
Not knowing his future with the team, McNabb says he still wants to be part of the Redskins organization. The organization where the coaching staff: (1) benched him with 1:45 remaining in a game (that had the potential to rule in favor of the Skins), (2) gave conflicting reasons for why he was benched, (3) told the media before telling him that he would not start in Sunday's game against Dallas, and (4) is insinuating that he may not be back next year (contract extension, or no).
"I can't guarantee that he will back next season", said Shanahan in a post game presser.
"What I will guarantee is that I'll be honest with him."
Will the media find out that McNabb's been traded before McNabb will?
Mike Shanahan said earlier in the season that he thought Grossman gave the team the best chance of winning football games."
"I knew what he could do. I've seen him practice."
Question.
If Grossman was all that, why didn't we see him earlier in the season? Perhaps week 5, or week 6.
Why wait to put your so called shining star in at the end of the season if he could help your team win football games?
The Redskins have two more games to go this season: The Jaguars (8-6) the day after Christmas, and the Giants (9-5) the day after New Year's Day.
We will see if that little light of Grossman's will continue to shine.
If ever there was a moment in recent sports history where the phrase 'How ya like me now' could be uttered, this could be that moment.
After Rex Grossman 'filled in' for Donovan McNabb Sunday in Dallas, the Skins grossed 30 points, and saw the former backup - now starting QB - throw for four touchdowns, leaving fans and Donovan McNabb wondering if Grossman is the one.
Some think McNabb is no longer the one. (McNabb was benched for the remaining 2010 season).
In a season that's had its share of turmoil, 'shanahan'-agins, comedy central-like antics, bloopers and blunders; the Redskins, actually looked competitive against Dallas - despite the fact that the two teams are equally miserable. Both teams are 5-9.
What was the difference?
Was the play calling the same? It's been 13 games and the schematics hadn't worked for most of the season. Had the play calling changed in game 14? What made the difference between a quarterback who hadn't seen play action since 2008 vs a starting, six-time Pro Bowl quarterback?
I'll tell you what it could be.
Everybody in Washington penned Rex Grossman - a protege of the Shanahans - as the odd man out, the worse QB in NFL history. Certainly, not better than McNabb.
Grossman was called every name in the book of 'Bad Names to Call A Quarterback'.
With all the negative press surrounding him, the name calling, the doubting, Grossman did what everyone does when they're being doubted.
He became the little engine that could.
The Skins came behind from a huge deficit (7-27) to rally in the third and fourth quarters under Grossman's helm. He threw touchdown passes to the team's mainstay, Santana Moss, and teammate Chris Cooley, that would tie the game at thirty points a piece.
Stop right there.
Thirty points? The Skins haven't scored thirty or more since their 41-17 win over Buffalo in the preseason.
Despite the impressive thirty points, however, the team still lost when they couldn't manage to score again in the remaining minutes of the game.
Sound familiar?
The Cowboys were able to score, however. Dallas scored off a field goal when the Skins - forced to punt - allowed the Cowboys to regain possession with 3:11 remaining.
When the dust cleared, the team who had beat their rival earlier in the season, succumbed to another devastating blow in the 33-30 loss.
Grossman was the hero - at least for the day, and McNabb (although happy for his teammate) was left shaking his head.
McNabb is not even the backup QB.
Shanahan told the media that the next two weeks following the Dallas game that John Beck would be the backup quarterback so that he could see Beck in his role.
Wow.
That's a two-time demotion.
Not knowing his future with the team, McNabb says he still wants to be part of the Redskins organization. The organization where the coaching staff: (1) benched him with 1:45 remaining in a game (that had the potential to rule in favor of the Skins), (2) gave conflicting reasons for why he was benched, (3) told the media before telling him that he would not start in Sunday's game against Dallas, and (4) is insinuating that he may not be back next year (contract extension, or no).
"I can't guarantee that he will back next season", said Shanahan in a post game presser.
"What I will guarantee is that I'll be honest with him."
Will the media find out that McNabb's been traded before McNabb will?
Mike Shanahan said earlier in the season that he thought Grossman gave the team the best chance of winning football games."
"I knew what he could do. I've seen him practice."
Question.
If Grossman was all that, why didn't we see him earlier in the season? Perhaps week 5, or week 6.
Why wait to put your so called shining star in at the end of the season if he could help your team win football games?
The Redskins have two more games to go this season: The Jaguars (8-6) the day after Christmas, and the Giants (9-5) the day after New Year's Day.
We will see if that little light of Grossman's will continue to shine.
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