The Long, and Short, of a Conspiracy

Aug 022011

The Long

Beck is having a problem with the long ball. They say Beck is very good and accurate with the short and mid-range passes but can’t hit the deep routes.

So what!

McNabb had a problem with the short ball. Don’t believe me, look back at last years film and count how many times he tossed it into the dirt trying to hit an open receiver in the flat or going across the middle.

Sure, McNabb still has a great arm and can hit a receiver 60 yards down field. Making that play will get you on the evening news and provide hours of mindless water cooler talk at the office. It will also get you off the field in about 90 seconds.

Personally I’ll take a long 10 – 12 (or more) play scoring drive that eats up half the quarter and keeps the other team off the field any day. That is what a good short – mid-range passing game and a good running game will do for you. Boring, but really effective.

Speaking of the running game . . .

The Short

Did we pay a high price for Hightower? No. But personally I like Beanie Wells. OK I like a football player with Beanie as a first name But Hightower is a cool name too and he is young and still fresh, can block and catch, and is a great compliment to Torain. Too bad he comes into an already crowded backfield. (can you say potential fantasy hit). Now if we can just solve that pesky little fumble problem he has, we will be in great shape.

The one signing that the redskins did complete this past week that I at first did not understand was Kellen Clemens. I just could not understand this one at all. What were they thinking? In fact, I mentioned in an earlier post that I actually had to look him up to find out who he was. The logic behind his signing was a complete mystery to me. That is until I read this on the Washington Post.

Beck’s third start came at home, against a New York Jets team that was 2-9 at the time and being quarterbacked by one Kellen Clemens. The Dolphins lost, 40-13, as Beck threw three interceptions and lost two fumbles . .

OK, so we had to find somebody better than Beck to play QB. I understand that. Of course Clemens beating a Beck led Dolphins team qualifies as “better”. Sheesh.

So, Is there hope?

In reality, I am not going to pass judgment on anybody’s coaching decision, yet. The proof, as they say, will be in the pudding.

Except for the Clemens thing, I think Shanahan has made some really good choices and signings. We will have to wait to see how well the season goes. Or as I like to say, I am going to give enough rope and cut enough slack to hang himself on.

The Conspiracy

If Beck and the rest of the QB corps is a total bust, then we just might be in good enough shape to move up in 2012 and draft us some good Luck. By then we might also have a half way decent complement of linemen, receivers and RB’s to be successful.