Washington Redskins Rumors: Big Names Could Answer Quarterback Questions

The Washington Redskins sputtered to a 5-11 record in 2011, and quarterback problems were a big reason why. Head coach Mike Shanahan's decision to enter the season with Rex Grossman and John Beck as the quarterback competitors proved to be a big mistake.

While the Redskins were fifth in the league in pass attempts, they were a lackluster (16th) in net yards per attempt, and they were just 23rd in touchdown passes and a horrible 29th in interceptions thrown.

This means quarterback is once again a big issue for the Redskins entering the 2012 offseason. The good news for Shanahan is that there are several palatable West Coast offense-friendly options on the market.

Will Shanahan make the choice, or will owner Daniel Snyder force a high-profile star onto the roster? Let's look at the options the Redskins may consider.

If Manning is healthy, he is the perfect Snyder bait. He is a superstar with great accomplishments who would undoubtedly sell tickets for the owner.

But is the long-time Indianapolis Colt a good option for Shanahan's offense? The precision Manning is known for certainly fits, and Shanahan proved to be successful with a veteran quarterback as the Denver Broncos won two Super Bowls in the twilight of John Elway's career.

However, the Redskins may not be the most attractive option for Manning. The offensive line is not great, and Washington has one of the least appealing receiving groups in the league. That could lead Manning to favor another option as long as the money is similar.

Could Snyder offer so much money that Manning can't say no? That's a possibility, but if Shanahan keeps the owner's checkbook in check, Manning will likely find a better option.

The Redskins have the sixth overall pick in April's draft, but that likely won't be high enough to pick Griffin III. Snyder might be motivated to give up a batch of picks to trade up to get Griffin III, but the Redskins have a lot of needs and would be better served to hold onto picks or even trade down, as they did last year instead of picking Blaine Gabbert.

This means Griffin III is unlikely to end up in Washington. Other incoming rookies such as Ryan Tannehill of Texas A&M, Brandon Weeden of Oklahoma State or Brock Orsweiler of Arizona State would be more affordable in terms of draft picks, even if they require more development.

Aside from Manning, Orton will be the most "proven" quarterback on the free-agent market this offseason. We put "proven" in quotes, however, because while Orton has put up good numbers, he struggled to lead the Broncos to wins in 2010 and 2011.

If the Redskins draft a developmental quarterback, Orton could be a good bridge (better than his former teammate Grossman). Michael Lombardi of the NFL Network has said that Orton could be a fit in Washington.

At this point, we see Orton as more of a stop-gap than a long-term solution. Like other options such as David Garrard or Jason Campbell 2.0, Orton doesn't solve the problem - he only delays it.

Flynn will be a hot commodity on the free agent market, and that should help him claim a big contract. But he's a good investment, because he will be an unrestricted free agent who won't cost any draft picks.

The history of signing backup quarterbacks is mixed, but the appeal of adding a possible long-term starter is undeniable with Flynn. Expect the Redskins to not only kick the tires on Flynn but to go for a test drive. He could be a great match.

Kolb was the Flynn of last offseason, but his first year with the Arizona Cardinals was disappointing. If the Cardinals flush Kolb in favor of Manning or another quarterback, he could draw attention in Washington as a rebuilding project.

Kolb has a West Coast Offense background, and the skills he showed as a Philadelphia Eagle are still there. He might cost a low-round draft pick, but that investment would be a decent risk vs. reward scenario.

Grossman has shown now what he is as an NFL quarterback. He is a low-grade starter who can put up big numbers, but will commit too many turnovers. That's not a recipe for long-term success, but it is a way to thrive as a backup.

If the Redskins draft a quarterback to develop, they could let Grossman serve as the stop-gap starter until the rookie is ready. This option may not excite Redskins fans, but it is a cost-effective way to move into the future.

Washington has waited for their quarterback of the future for too long. Now is the time for Shanahan, Snyder and the organization to choose a path and start down the road.

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Posted at 6:00 AM. Labeled under Featured Articles, Mike Shanahan, NFL, Peyton Manning, Rex Grossman, Robert Griffin III, Robert Neely, Washington Redskins .