It’s a second chance. Maybe a last one. And still Rex Grossman and John Beck aren’t flustered.
The Washington Redskins passers are spending the final stretch before Thursday’s preseason finale against Tampa Bay not worrying outwardly, and maybe only a little inwardly, over who will become the starter. The loser may get another opportunity during the season should the winner falter, though that’s uncertain.
This is it. Coach Mike Shanahan’s watching. Yet, the two quarterbacks talk of the coach’s pending decision without emotion. They’ve spent too many years chasing a starting job to possibly feel anything but relief when the season starts Sept. 11.
“I would like to know, but I’m not stressing on it,” Grossman said. “The last impression is usually the lasting. I’m trying to go out and play well.”
Grossman has started a full season once in eight years, but what a season it was. He threw for 3,193 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2006, but Chicago lost Super Bowl XLI to Indianapolis 29-17. Grossman was a respectable 20 of 28 with one touchdown, but had two costly interceptions in the loss. He was benched by midseason the following year and went to Houston in 2009 before arriving in Washington last year.
Beck’s taste of the starting life was a quick sip. Miami turned to the rookie in 2007 after opening 0-9 and naturally, the four starts went badly. He didn’t play for Miami in 2008 or Baltimore in 2009 before being traded to Washington in 2010 for a backup cornerback that was later cut by the Ravens.
Yet, the newly turned 30-year-old Beck is confident Shanahan will choose him.
“I had played in some preseason games throughout those years and had games I had done well, so I felt if given the opportunity I would do well,” Beck said. “I know I’m not the same guy [who played in 2007].”
Grossman’s confidence has shown with three solid preseason outings. He had three decreasingly poor games last season when Washington began looking for Donovan McNabb’s replacement.
“There’s times as a quarterback when you’re unsure of what’s going on or unsure of the rhythm and timing of everything,” Grossman said. “You play a little bit scattered. I haven’t felt like that at all. I’m real happy with how I’ve played.”
No matter Shanahan’s decision, it won’t turn into the second coming of the acrimonious pairing of Jay Schroeder-Doug Williams in 1987 or Sonny Jurgensen, Billy Kilmer and Joe Theismann in the early 1970s. Grossman and Beck know over 16 games both will likely play. This isn’t personal, it’s business.
Still, it’s not easy staring at their fate in coming days with a throwaway preseason game as a final exam. This is their chance, their moment. It takes confidence to breath deep and go play.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
