Mark October 19th on your calendar as the turning point in the Washington Redskins' 2011-12 season; for better or worse.
That day, yesterday, is when coach Mike Shanahan decided to bench Rex Grossman, and instead, go with John Beck as the starting quarterback against the Carolina Panthers this upcoming Sunday.
Before "The Decision," Washington Redskins-style, many players on the team including Santana Moss and Jabar Gaffney voiced their backing of Grossman remaining the starter.
However, the final say is Coach Shanahan's, and he said, "You can’t constantly turn the football over. And if you do, you’re going to lose your opportunity to lead the football team."
Shanahan is right: 11 turnovers (and no game without a turnover) in the team's first five games is unacceptable. The fact that the Redskins are 3-2 should come as a fair trade, seeing as how inept the quarterback position has been (66.5 quarterback-rating, 2nd worst in the league) in the grand scheme of things.
Grossman said the move was frustrating, while Beck, as to be expected, is embracing the move wholeheartedly.
"You never know when your opportunity’s going to come, and you’ve always got to stay ready. I’ve tried to do that," said Beck.
So, the move has been made. It will take effect during practice this week, and on the field Sunday in Carolina.
The Panthers are 1-5, but don't let their record fool you: three of those losses came against Green Bay, Chicago, and New Orleans, in which they lost by a total of 15 points.
They are led by rookie-sensation Cam Newton, who in his first two weeks, threw for 422 and 432 yards, respectively. His week 2 performance against Green Bay prompted these words (below) during Aaron Rodgers' press conference.
[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zJVU5pN_qU']
Newton has two bookend tight ends, Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen, who provide a consistent safety valve for Cam, but also can exploit defenses with their size, speed, and hands.
He has two running backs that provide perhaps the best one-two combo in the league, and who also could be the number-one running back if they were on separate teams: DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.
And don't forget about Pro-Bowl caliber wide receiver Steve Smith, who this season seems resurgent after a sub-par season last year (554 yards, 2 TDs). To put that in perspective, Smith already has 675 yards and three touchdowns so far this year.
This is a game that the Redskins must win, but could easily lose if they let things get out of hand like they did against the Eagles.
The Redskins need to rely heavily again on their defense, who must pressure Newton at every opportunity. This became a little easier as the Panthers just placed their starting right tackle and former first-round pick, Jeff Otah, on Injured Reserve.
The Redskins must also manage the clock on offense, swaying the time of possession in their favor, by running the ball at least 25 times total. Running the ball doesn't only keep the clock moving, it also helps the quarterback by keeping the defense on their toes.
Help that John Beck will definitely need in his first start as a Washington Redskin.
If the Redskins don't control the game on offense, and the game turns into a gun-slinging shoot-out, the Redskins simply cannot keep up with the Panthers, and will lose.
However, if the Redskins' defense can disrupt what the Panthers want to do on offense, while sticking to their game-plan of running the ball, look for this game to be close 'til the end.
Win or lose, blowout or nail-biter, remember this game: John Beck vs. Cam Newton. Newton is an exciting talent who is going to be a quality quarterback for years to come, while Beck is an unproven quarterback who hasn't been given a legitimate chance to lead a team.
Is this his chance?
(Jonathan Wigginton is the Chat Sports Senior Writer for the Washington Redskins)
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