The open quarterback competition should be closed now. Rex Grossman took a clear lead over John Beck in the battle to become the Washington Redskins’ starting quarterback. The touchdown drive to close the first half against the Baltimore Ravens seemingly sealed the job even if coach Mike Shanahan won’t name his opening-day starter against the New York Giants until kickoff.
Grossman is clearly more experienced, more polished. As intriguing as Beck’s potential is, the Redskins’ defense is showing this team can contend, so the Redskins can’t risk everything on an unproven passer in Beck.
Grossman’s first two drives were uneven, sandwiching consecutive 13-yard gains to Jabar Gaffney and Santana Moss with a few poor throws. Meanwhile, Beck opened the Redskins’ third series with a 34-yarder to Anthony Armstrong that led to a 7-0 lead. It makes you wonder whether Beck simply has a penchant for making plays even though he has not thrown a regular-season pass since 2007. Then again, Redskins backups are often preseason wonders.
But then Beck showed his downside, taking a self-imposed sack (negated by penalty) before short-arming a third-down pass to Moss. Grossman offered no magic on his next drive, either, though the backfield didn’t stop the blitz on first down, while third down was a bad snap for a sack.
And then it turned. Grossman led an 80-yard touchdown drive for a 21-14 halftime lead by completing six of eight passes. This was the drive that confirmed who should be the starter.
Grossman opened with an 18-yarder to Armstrong and 17-yarder to Fred Davis. Grossman soon found Gaffney for 13 and Moss for 15 to the Baltimore 18. Moss then dropped a touchdown pass in the end zone. Tight coverage prevented Moss from catching a score on second down. A delay penalty negated a third-down incompletion. And then Grossman threw a perfect 23-yard score to Moss.
Halftime was probably pretty upbeat in the Redskins’ locker room. Beck still had a couple turns remaining, but Washington now knew Grossman’s solid first two preseason outings weren’t simply the result of going against opponents who were not trying. This was against the starting unit of Baltimore, one of the top defenses in the NFL.
Beck needed something big entering the third quarter. He overthrew the first snap for an interception. Beck rebounded with a touchdown drive via patient passes, but it was vs. reserves. Not quite the same thing.
Overall, it was an encouraging outing. The Redskins led 21-14 when the Ravens pulled their defensive starters in the second half. The defense largely played well despite penalties leading to both Baltimore scores. After facing two preseason opponents that seemingly didn’t care, the offense showed balance with Tim Hightower gaining 56 yards on nine carries, including a sharp 37-yard score. The line made more good plays than bad.
But the season’s outcome probably will depend on the quarterback, and Grossman showed he can produce.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
