Gibbs Doesn’t Plan to Switch QBs, He’ll Keep a Struggling Theismann

Washington Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs, his team on the verge of dropping out of National Football League playoff picture, will try and ride out the storm with an aging, struggling Joe Theismann at quarterback.

“If we’re going down, we’re going down swinging with who got us here. I like that better than changing horses in mid-stream,” Gibbs said Monday.

The Redskins’ three-year reign as division champions in the National Conference East is in serious jeopardy following a 13-7 loss Sunday to Dallas that dropped the team to 5-5, two games behind both the Cowboys and the New York Giants, next Monday night’s opponent.

“A win against the Giants is absolutely a must,” said Gibbs. “This year is getting in real jeopardy and we have to do something. Either we are going to or not now; we are just about reaching the end of the road.”

The Redskin offense in general and Theismann in particular are shouldering much of the blame for the Redskins’ lack of success.

Now 36 and the oldest starting quarterback in the league, Theismann is suffering through his worst season in 12 years in Washington. Just two years after he was named the league’s Most Valuable Player, Theismann is ranked next to last among all NFC quarterbacks, having thrown 16 interceptions against just seven touchdown passes.

Against Dallas, Theismann had three passes intercepted. His 16 interceptions in 10 games is more than he has thrown in each of the last three complete seasons.

What Gibbs had to live with Sunday was watching one of Theismann’s passes being picked off in the first quarter after throwing short to an open Art Monk in the end zone; Theismann missing Monk deep after the defender had fallen down; Theismann hanging a ball to Gary Clark that was eventually tipped away by a defender; and another Theismann pass being intercepted when he again threw short to Clark down the sidelines.

Theismann’s backup is Jay Schreoder, who has seen limited action in two seasons with the Redskins, having completed just four of eight passes in his career.

If the Redskins beat the Giants, it will mark their first victory over a team with a winning record this season.