Does Washington Have A Place For Pat White

Aug 8, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Pat White (5) rushes for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. Washington won 22-21. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Redskins appeared to be headed to an 0-1 record in their first preseason game of the season, down 21-14, but thanks to a late touchdown drive led by Pat White, the Redskins managed to score, and then take the lead with a two-point conversion.

Pat White finished the night 5/8 for 31 yards and a touchdown, but easily could have been 7/8 for at least 51 yards or so, had wide receivers Nick Williams and Dezmon Briscoe not dropped passes that were placed right on the numbers.

White’s nine-yard touchdown run would be the highlight of his night, as he ran through a hole bigger than what Alfred Morris had during the Week 17 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys in 2012, as he (White) easily walked into the end zone untouched.

His two-point conversion however might have been even better, as he was able to hit Emmaunel Ogbuehi with pressure in his face to take the lead 22-21 with just over two minutes remaining in the game.

While White showed some signs of excellence, there’s also still some major concerns. Quite a few times he handed the ball off in the read-option when the linebacker bit on the run, and a few times he held the ball when they didn’t.

What might be the bigger concern is the fact that White doesn’t appear to be comfortable in the pocket whatsoever. If he’s not staring down a receiver in attempts to get the ball out of his hands as fast as he can (this was seen when he nearly threw an interception to Skye Dawson), he’s tucking the ball and scrambling out of the pocket trying to make a big play.

Aug 8, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Pat White (5) pitches the ball to Redskins running back Evan Royster (22) in a game against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at LP Field. The Redskins beat the Titans 22-21. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

While he was able to make something happen with his should have been touchdown pass to Lance Lewis (which was fumbled), as well as the two-point conversion, it’s important to note that he was playing against players who will be lucky to make the practice squad.

Assuming he was playing against second stringers, White might not have looked nearly as good, which might be why he’s never made it in the NFL, nor the UFL.

That doesn’t mean he can be groomed into a QB in the league, the question however is should the Redskins risk it. Rex Grossman knows the offense quite well, and though he might not make the smartest decisions while behind center, he without a doubt understands what he should be doing.

That alone has helped Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins both, who have said themselves that Rex’s mentoring has helped improve their game.

Unfortunately for White, he brings nothing to the table as far as experience is concerned, so unless Mike Shanahan gives him more playing time against better opponents to prove that what was seen on Thursday wasn’t a fluke, there might not be a place for Pat White with the Washington Redskins.

Coming in to Training Camp, Pat White was seen as nothing more than a player to help Robert Griffin III learn how to slide effectively;  as he was a Major League Baseball outfielder with the Anaheim Angels, Kansas City Royals, and Miami Marlins.

If White is given more time against better opposition, he could give Mike Shanahan a reason to ponder who should be their third string quarterback, otherwise, White is on the outside looking in.