As Pat White prepared to enter the NFL more than four years ago, he resisted the notion of moving to a position other than quarterback. Now that he’s back in the league after a three-season absence, White is willing to do what it takes to stick.
“Whatever the coaches ask of me, I will do it with the best of my abilities,” White recently told the team’s official website, via Mark Inabinett of the Alabama Media Group. “My heart’s set on being a quarterback, but I am willing to play other positions and will do whatever it takes to help the team. . . .
“I feel like the Redskins chose me. I put myself out there to find the right situation, and I felt like this is the best fit for me. The way they ran the offense really excited me. And I was just happy for them to give me an opportunity.”
The Redskins pounced on White, a second-round pick of the Dolphins in 2009, when he was flirting with teams like the 49ers and Giants. With Robert Griffin III recovering from a torn ACL, it made sense to have another mobile quarterback around. Once Griffin is healthy, having White at quarterback becomes less important.
“There are some other teams that are using [the read-option], and I can also help the Redskins prepare for other teams that run it.”
The Redskins eventually will have to ask themselves whether it makes sense to devote a roster spot to a scout-team quarterback, and whether White can be taught a new position. Until it’s clear that Griffin is healthy and will stay that way, it could make sense to keep White around and ready to play quarterback.