(My Sportsbook) - Head coach Steve Spurrier's inaugural campaign with the Redskins has been anything but memorable. Spurrier came in with a lot of fan fare, but that interest has subsided and his team has lost four of its last five games to fall out of the playoff picture.

The former Florida Gator head man has decided to point to the future and give rookie QB Patrick Ramsey the reins of the offense this week against the Philadelphia Eagles at the Vet.

"We've got to remember he's just a rookie," Spurrier said of Ramsey. "He needs a full offseason, minicamps, summer, preseason, to get ready to play. It's unrealistic to think any true rookie can come in and play quarterback. He's got some potential. He's got a great chance to come in and be our quarterback. He's got to come in and earn it."

It has been a constant quarterback carousel for the Redskins' offense this season. Spurrier has changed signal-callers five times, searching for the guy that can lead his team into the future. Former Florida QBs Shane Matthews and Danny Wuerffel have struggled for Spurrier, so it appears Ramsey has won the job by default.

Following an injury to Wuerffel last week, Ramsey stepped into the lineup and completed 12-of-27 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown in the Redskins' 27-21 loss to the Giants. Spurrier liked the way Ramsey contributed off the bench in the contest.

"Patrick made a lot of good plays," Spurrier said. "He bounced around the pocket, bought some time to throw. He made some nice throws. Hopefully he can carry on and improve as we go."

Ramsey draws an unenviable task this week, facing the Eagles' relentless pass rush that has garnered a league-high 46 sacks. Spurrier thinks pass protection and a quick release will be the key to the youngster's success.

"We've got to have decent protection," said Spurrier, "but we can't expect our guys to hold them out too long. The Eagles do an excellent job of covering. They know what they're doing. It's a combination of [the quarterback] not holding it too long and the linemen giving him an opportunity to get it out."

Finding a consistent running game will be a crucial ingredient to the Redskins' success against Philly. If Spurrier can somehow swallow his pride a bit and commit to running the ball on a regular basis in this game, Washington will be much better off than trying to throw on every down.

Washington RB Steven Davis, who has been rumored to be on his way out after this season, must get 20 or more carries in this game for the Redskins to have a chance. Last week, Davis recorded 70 yards and a touchdown on just 12 attempts. The veteran tailback can sense that his days are numbered in the nation's capital because of Spurrier's offensive philosophy.

"Most [running backs] don't want to be in an offense where you're going to throw the ball as much as Coach Spurrier does," Davis said. "But I can't worry about that. I'm under contract. If it gets worked out, it gets worked out. If it doesn't, it doesn't. I'll move on and try to help another team win."

Look for Spurrier to throw young RB Ladell Betts into this mix versus the Eagles. Betts saw a lot of time on the field last week, but only garnered one carry for no yards.

"I was hoping to get Ladell some more carries. He was in there, though," said Spurrier. "We'll try again this week to get him on the field. Ladell needs a lot more chances."

COMING UP: The Redskins return home to take on the Houston Texans next week.