Rex Grossman has thrown at least one interception in 10 consecutive starts, which means he has spent 10 consecutive starts having to explaining what happened -- and then shaking it off.
His coaches might feel differently about it.
"One thing I know is Rex has done a decent job," Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said of his quarterback. "He has way too many turnovers, which is not acceptable. I know not all of them are him. I think you can help around him better. I can do better to help out him not having so many picks, but he definitely needs to get that down. But Rex has done some real good things in these past few weeks."
Grossman can shrug off a bad play as well as anybody -- "It may stick in the papers afterwards," he said this week, "but it doesn't really stick in my head" -- but the problem is he constantly has to do it. Last week's win over the New York Giants was a prime example: He threw interceptions on two of the first three possessions, yet he bounced back to lead a 13-point victory.
For the season, Grossman has given the ball away 22 times -- 18 interceptions and four lost fumbles -- which ties him for the NFL lead with Philip Rivers of the San Diego Chargers. This Saturday, the Redskinshost the Minnesota Vikings (2-12), who have lost six in a row and haven't picked off a pass in nine games.
The play of the quarterbacks always was going to be an overriding Redskins theme this season, from the moment coach Mike Shanahan decided to go with the tandem of Grossman and John Beck. Beck proved not to be the answer in three midseason starts, while Grossman has lived up to his Good Rex-Bad Rex reputation.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
