Mike Shanahan Declines To Name Starting Quarterback; Decision To Come Wednesday

By ZAC BOYER | zboyer@freelancestar.com | @ZacBoyer

ASHBURN – Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan said Monday he would not name a starting quarterback for the team’s upcoming game against Carolina and would instead do so Wednesday.

Shanahan

Rex Grossman, who started the first five games of the season for the Redskins, was pulled at the beginning of the fourth quarter of the 20-14 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday after throwing four interceptions. He was replaced by John Beck, who led the team on its only touchdown drive of the game and capped it with a two-yard scoring run.

“We’re going to play the people that we think gives us the best chance to win,” said Shanahan, who also said he has not made a decision as of Monday afternoon. “That’s based on practices, games, our gut [feeling], which direction we’re going to go. [It] will be decided on what we see in all those factors.”

Grossman went 9-for-22 for 143 yards and the four interceptions in the loss, while Beck finished 8-for-15 for 117 yards.

Shanahan declined to go through an evaluation of both quarterbacks on Monday and instead repeated that the decision would be made “in the best interests of the organization.”

Receivers Santana Moss and Jabar Gaffney were among the more vocal players supporting Grossman on Monday, and Shanahan said he liked to hear that Grossman’s teammates were sticking up for him.

The head coach also said he still stands by his comments made in training camp, when he said he would stake his reputation on Beck and Grossman being successful with the Redskins.

“I’ve got two guys I believe in,” Shanahan said. “I believe in Rex and I believe in John Beck. I’ve told you that from day one. Both guys I’m hoping are going to be here for a long time – both of these quarterbacks.”

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