Finishing the 2011-2012 NFL season, one
thing was extremely evident about the Washington Redskins,
the quarterback position needs drastic improvement. After a
failed attempt to house Donovan McNabb in twilight of his career and attempting
to revitalize the career of journeyman Rex Grossman, and catch lightning in a
bottle with career backup John Beck, the Shanahans are still left with no
solution at quarterback. This has led fans to speculate about every
single available or hopefully available quarterback this off season
that could be next to don the burgundy and gold.
We've heard big names such as Peyton
Manning and prospect Robert Griffin III. As well as lesser profiles such
as Kyle Orton or prospect Ryan Tannehill.
It seems like every week there is a new scenario, sign this guy, draft
this guy, trade for this guy. So let’s
run through a few possible scenarios and try to think which one is best. I started this as one article and I got so in depth in my discussion which each scenario I figured I may need to split this into at least three different articles. Don't worry I'll release them daily!
The Peyton Scenario
Let’s get this one out the way. Just nearly a year ago his face was that of
the Indianapolis Colts franchise and arguably the NFL. Now the neck that supports the head that
wears that face may have ended his time in Indianapolis. After missing the entire 2011 season and
undergoing 4 major neck surgeries and the Colts ended the season with the
league’s worst record. This in return
earned them the rights to the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. All
signs have pointed to the Colts selecting top prospect Andrew Luck, who’s been
considered the best prospect since the aforementioned Manning. On top of all this, Manning is due a 28
million dollar roster bonus if he remains on the roster past March 8th. This perfect storm has transformed Manning
from the franchises bedrock to a dispensable liability.
All
signs point to him being released before this deadline, which means his
services will be available to any team that can sign him. Redskin’s fans salivate at the opportunity to
have a guy who was once undoubtedly the best in the league and a future hall of
famer. A healthy Manning could provide a
big lift to a team that was 26th in the league in points
scored.
In theory it sounds great but in
actuality, I’m not quite as positive. In
actuality four surgeries on the same body part is never a good thing but this
is a neck and rumor has it, it has affected his whole body. We’ve heard his throwing power is lacking
significantly. We’ve seen interviews
where he couldn’t even turn his head.
This injury should not be taken lightly and shouldn’t be viewed as a
broken arm. We’ve seen a lot of players
who were in these kinds of situations that have opted or been forced to call it
career.
Also I’m not so sure how he would mesh
with the Shanahan’s system here in DC.
Peyton’s with the Colts has always been one in which he almost served as
his own offensive coordinator. We’ve
seen the Shanahans micro-manage the quarterback situation before when they
brought in borderline hall of famer Donovan McNabb. They weren’t happy that he didn’t play the
position their way; well I’m sure Manning plans to play the position his way
and will have no problem finding suitors that will agree to let him do so.
All in all I feel that if you want to take
a chance on Manning that’s fine, but don’t count on him. In other words I’m not ok with putting all
the eggs in the Peyton Manning basket.
If you want to sign him to a deal where it will be easy to move him if
things don’t pan out, go for it. However
I suggest that the team still have other quarterbacks on the roster. Maybe a middle of the road type quarterbacks,
such as Rex Grossman. Don’t kill me
skins fans but Rex is a serviceable backup I think he would be ok with that
role, and he knows the system. The team
also should carry a third quarterback, because even if the Manning scenario
works given his age they still need a young guy prepared to take the reins in
the future, which is what we’ll look at next article.
Alleged video of Peyton Manning throwing balls at Duke
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