QB battle continues Friday against Colts ASHBURN — The entire offseason, or so it seemed, centered around a single topic: quarterback John Beck’s ability. It was debated at times, mocked at others. Coach Mike Shanahan, the one voice that matters, declared his love for Beck’s talent. And Beck himself expressed his confidence and desire.
And still, the question couldn’t be answered. Finally, starting Friday, it will be revealed. Beck will start the preseason game at Indianapolis.
It’s an expected move considering Rex Grossman started the opener and Beck couldn’t play because of a sore groin. But, nonetheless, Shanahan made it official Tuesday.
| Notes |
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| Corner DeAngelo Hall and safety Chris Horton both proved they could be physical — with each other. Hall and Horton exchanged words and eventually fists after a pass completion to Tim Hightower. Safety LaRon Landry first walked Hall away from the scene; Landry then walked Horton away as well. “Some words were exchanged and punches thrown and we hug and make up,” Hall said. “That wasn’t much of nothing. I’m used to drag down all-out type brawls. So that was a little teaser. In Atlanta, we used to get down. We used to riot out there.” Horton said, “It’s done.” Coach Mike Shanahan said it’s just a part of what happens in camp. “You understand how it happens; two competitive guys getting after it. It’s the nature of the game,” Shanahan said. “[But] you’ve got to keep your poise and not cost your team a 15-yard penalty [in a game]. We stress that all the time.” |
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| Players who didn’t practice Tuesday: linebacker London Fletcher (groin/hamstring), running back Ryan Torain (wrist), safety O.J. Atogwe (groin), safety LaRon Landry (knee), safety Kareem Moore (knee), corner Josh Wilson (hamstring) and tight end Chris Cooley (knee). |
| Position review: Defensive line |
| Doug Worthington |
| Worthington remains a longshot to make the roster, but he could be a player worth a long look. Worthington has done a nice job in camp, particularly when faced with lesser players. He’s done what he should do vs. them: win often. That’s why the Redskins gave him work with the second defense Monday. Worthington, in his first year, also played well vs. Pittsburgh. DeJon Gomes made a stop in the backfield largely because Worthington penetrated the front and forced the running back into Gomes. |
| Barry Cofield |
| It’ll be interesting to watch Cofield as the preseason progresses and how he fares in one-on-one matchups. If the opener was an indication, Cofield should win his share. Part of the reason he won a few of those matchups vs. Pittsburgh is because of his ability to stay low and get off the ball fast. Cofield’s career high in sacks is four, which he set last season. Nobody on the Redskins’ front recorded more than 2 ? last season. If nothing else, Cofield will make guards pause to help the center, possibly freeing the linebackers to make plays. |
| Chris Neild |
| Neild, a seventh-round pick, has looked like a rookie for most of training camp. He’d be a good player to develop on the practice squad, adding strength and learning how to play nose tackle in the NFL. Neild will never be the quickest player, but he can get stronger and eventually become a player capable of occupying blockers. With Cofield and Anthony Bryant ahead of him, Neild will have a tough time making the roster. |
| – John Keim |
“It was tough to be on the sidelines,” Beck said. “I’m ready to go out and play in a game. … It’s good to get back in the flow and get excited about a game.”
Beck was slowed by the groin for a week, but Shanahan said he looks “full speed or pretty close.” He’s been inconsistent in practice, but he was sharper Tuesday than he had been the previous day.
The competition between he and Grossman will last all preseason. And it could come down to more than just their statistics. Grossman has already shown what he can do as a starter, though he and Shanahan said this offense fits him better than any he’s played in before.
But Beck’s ceiling could be higher. Nobody knows for sure considering he hasn’t played in a regular-season game since 2007.
He’ll have to play well to match Grossman’s preseason opener when he completed 19 of 26 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown in one half. Beck said he’s not thinking about what Grossman did.
“When I saw Rex play well, that was expected because he’s a quarterback that knows this offense,” Beck said. “He’s always done a good job in it. Even when he played at the end of last season he had good games. That’s what [offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan] expects of us.
“You do understand sometimes in practice when you’re in a competition you’re trying to match the person but you know sometimes you can’t.”
And Beck knows what constitutes a successful outing.
“Putting the ball in the end zone,” he said. “That’s what the offense is designed to do. Manage the offense, but find a way to put points on the board. But if you’re in there and there’s a bad play or something breaks down, don’t let a bad play become a terrible one. Move on and manage the game.
“My whole thing is whatever the situation is, make the right decision, the best move.”
And then the next move is up to the coaches; the scrutiny will continue.
“Rex is more comfortable now,” Redskins tight end Fred Davis said. “He’s been in the offense for so long, you can tell in his poise in the pocket. But Beck does well. He has a strong arm so he can make plays too. Hard decision.”
