QB battle comes down to who plays smarter ASHBURN — The quarterbacks want to make the big play, knowing it could lead to points. They also want to make the right decision, knowing it will lead to a starting job.
When the Redskins faced Indianapolis, those decisions usually resulted in short passes, especially by starter John Beck. Against Baltimore this week, more big plays will be available. That is, if the line and backs can pick up the blitz and provide the quarterbacks time to throw. The trick will be to unload the ball fast. But if the blitz is picked up, the trick will be to get the big play.
Those decisions will weigh heavily on which quarterback — Beck or Rex Grossman — emerges with the job. They must be patient and not try to force a big throw simply to move ahead of the other guy.
– John Keim
| Notes |
| » Strong safety LaRon Landry won’t play in Thursday’s preseason game at Baltimore because of the hamstring he injured late last week while running. Landry hasn’t practiced yet this summer because of his Achilles tendon but had hoped to return this week. Now there’s doubt about when Landry will return. And defensive coordinator Jim Haslett said it’s hard to even know whether Landry will be ready for the regular season if he’s able to play in only one preseason game. “I haven’t seen LaRon actually perform on the field in a while, so that’s a good question,” Haslett said. |
| » Haslett said even though Perry Riley has performed well in the preseason games, he’s still not ready to unseat Rocky McIntosh for a starting job. |
| » Right tackle Jammal Brown injured his right index finger. Coach Mike Shanahan said Brown would have X-rays but that it did not appear to be broken. Regardless, Shanahan said Brown would play Thursday. |
| Position review: Running back |
| Mike Sellers |
| After working at tight end and H-back since the Redskins started practicing July 29, Sellers has returned to his old position. He will play fullback for the first time in the preseason when the Redskins play at Baltimore on Thursday. Sellers likely will play fullback in the second half but work at tight end and H-back in the first half with Chris Cooley sidelined. Sellers does not catch and run with the ball as well as Darrel Young, who at least for now is the starting fullback. |
| Darrel Young |
| Young’s transition to fullback from linebacker continues to look like a good one. His blocking has been fine, but his hands and nimble feet also have impressed coach Mike Shan?ahan. In two preseason games, Young has caught two passes for 27 yards. On those runs, he made a combined five defenders miss, whether by breaking tackles or making a move. “It’s hard to find guys in that 250-pound range that can block and catch the ball like he did,” Shanahan said. |
| Keiland Williams |
| Williams was a nice camp story in 2010, making the roster as an undrafted free agent. It helped, too, that the Redskins had two older running backs who could no longer play in training camp. But it will be tough for Williams to make it this time unless the Redskins believe he can also help at fullback. The plus for Williams is that he’s a decent pass protector and can help in a pinch. But he’s not a fast runner, and if the Redskins keep only three running backs, Williams likely will be left out. |
“The most important thing to do is make the right play,” Grossman said. “That trumps any emotion. I don’t think it’s that difficult. Would you like to make big plays? Yes. You don’t want to miss an opportunity, but you don’t want to force it either.”
The Redskins still haven’t said who will start vs. Baltimore on Thursday. Coach Mike Shanahan reiterated Monday he wouldn’t say who won the starting quarterback job until right before the season opener vs. New York, something he has said on a couple occasions this summer.
The quarterbacks’ decision-making will be a big factor in the competition. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said he was pleased with Beck in this area vs. the Colts.
“It was kind of what we expected from him,” Shanahan said. “When they did get to him, he didn’t do anything stupid and didn’t make a bad play a worse play. I was happy to see how he did.
“You’ve got to make quick decisions and get rid of the ball. Any time you don’t against that defense usually is trouble.”
For Beck, some of those decisions involved knowing when to run. He said on first downs, based on the way the Colts played defense, he knew he could get at least five to eight yards if he ran on the bootleg. Sure enough, both of his runs came on first downs for a combined 17 yards. Another time he was flushed from the pocket on third-and-12. Beck waited and flung a sidearm pass to Donte Stallworth for 23 yards.
“It’s decision-making in a split second,” Beck said. “That’s one of the trickiest things about being a quarterback. There are times when you stand in there and you throw one and you chance it and it will work out good for you and they say good job. And there are times when you try to do the same thing and it can blow up. So it’s really about being smart.”
That’s why Thursday night the best play might not be a completion.
“Sometimes there will be plays where a throwaway or throwing the ball in the dirt will be a good play,” Beck said. “It gets us out of a bad play and gives us another opportunity on the next down.”
And maybe to be the starter.
