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Rex Grossman: Can He Win Falcons Backup QB Gig?

By John Buhler

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Rex Grossman signed a one-year deal to contend for a backup quarterback job with the Atlanta Falcons for the veteran minimum of $1 Million earlier this week.

Grossman is an 11-year NFL veteran playing mostly with the Chicago Bears and the Washington Redskins.  Though Rex has not played in a NFL regular season game since 2011, his familiarity with OC Kyle Shanahan’s system from their time together both in Houston and DC might give Grossman a chance to contend for a Falcons’ roster spot this late in training camp.  Is it enough to overtake both T.J. Yates and Sean Renfree for that highly coveted 2nd string job behind QB Matt Ryan?

-= Related: Rex Grossman To Workout With Falcons =-

Rex Grossman’s connection with Kyle Shanahan began back in 2009 when both men were part of the Houston Texans organization.  Grossman needed a clean break from his six-year tenure with the Bears and ultimately became a disciple of Shanahan’s offensive system.

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    • Rex followed Shanahan to Washington when Kyle’s father Mike Shanahan became head coach in 2010, starting 16 games for the Redskins between 2010-11.  Shanahan even had Grossman come in and compete for a roster spot with the Cleveland Browns last season.

    Since neither Yates or Renfree have played particularly great in the preseason, especially against the New York Jets last week, perhaps new HC Dan Quinn is considering Grossman as a viable option to contend for a backup role with the Atlanta Falcons.  Should anything happen to Matt Ryan, at least Rex Grossman would have the ability to step right in as he is very familiar with what Kyle Shanahan expects out of his quarterback.

    Though he likely will not play on Saturday against the Miami Dolphins down in South Beach, expect Rex Grossman to get some action in the preseason finale next week when the Falcons welcome QB Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens to the Georgia Dome.  The fourth preseason game is usually reserved for guys like Grossman, trying to make roster spots.

    -= See Also: Atlanta Falcons: Offensive Line Will Be Tested By Dolphins =-

    Should both Yates and Renfree again struggle to have command of Shanahan’s offense on Saturday against the ‘Phins, maybe Rex does have a strong chance to stick as Matt Ryan’s backup this fall.  Even as a 35-year old that hasn’t played a meaningful snap in an NFL game in four years, I still feel that Rex Grossman could execute Shanahan’s offense effectively in a worst case scenario.

    The Atlanta Falcons will not keep four quarterbacks on their team, probably opting for three since Quinn is more of a defensive minded coach and would likely want to have the added security of a third passer.  Though his signing did come as a surprise this week, don’t feel shocked if Rex Grossman makes the 2015 Atlanta Falcons roster as a third quarterback with either TJ Yates or Sean Renfree getting cut.

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    For Rex to get that 2nd string gig, that would require two more weak performances by both Yates and Renfree as well as Grossman illustrating that he has great command of the offense in his lone game of work against the Ravens.  Experience and offensive system expertise are certainly in his favor.  However, relative youthfulness definitely favor the two other Falcons quarterbacks.  He’s not the favorite, but he’s not out of the competition by default just yet.

    Only 17 more days until the Atlanta Falcons host the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football in Week 1 at the Georgia Dome.  The buzz surrounding the new coaching regime and the player’s perpetual improvement should get Falcons fans very excited for the upcoming season.  Football season is so close to being here.  I can’t hardly wait.  Rise Up, Atlanta!

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