The best thing that can happen to the legend of John Beck is for him not to take a snap Friday night in the Washington Redskins’ preseason opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In fact, nothing will further the legend of Beck — the greatest lockout quarterback in NFL history — more than never stepping on the playing field for the Redskins.
What might have been has a better chance of enhancing the Beck legacy than what might be.
Obviously, Beck has different priorities. He wants to get on the field to win the Redskins’ starting quarterback job.
He may have to wait for that since he is still nursing a groin injury and his playing status is in question for the first preseason game. Rex Grossman — his so-called competition — likely will get the starting nod Friday night.
Playing only can endanger Beck’s place in Redskins history as the greatest quarterback this franchise has ever not seen.
Beck had a few minutes in the preseason last year and five forgettable games for the Miami Dolphins in 2007, completing 60 passes and throwing one touchdown and three interceptions in 107 attempts.
Beck didn’t throw a pass for the Dolphins in 2008 and then was released by Miami. Baltimore picked him up for the 2009 season, but Beck didn’t throw a pass for the Ravens, and he was traded to Washington in August 2010 for Doug Dutch.
One month later, the Redskins signed Beck to a two-year contract extension worth $2.25 million.
As soon as last season ended, Beck began talking his way into the favored position as the Redskins’ starting quarterback.
“That’s what I’m hoping for. That’s what I’m working for,” Beck said then. “When I go into this offseason, that’s what I’m preparing for. I want to compete to start.”
Beck kept talking to whomever would listen until finally people noticed that, yes, John Beck was on the roster and, yes, he may be an option for Mike Shanahan at quarterback.
“What I want to accomplish is I want to be the guy,” Beck told reporters after an April players workout during the lockout.
Soon — particularly after Shan?ahan didn’t draft a quarterback — it was in everybody’s head. ESPN reported that going into training camp it was Beck’s job to lose. Sports Illustrated’s Peter King came to Redskins Park last week and wrote, “It’ll be a surprise if John Beck doesn’t win the starting quarterback job.”
And so here we are, crowning a 29-year-old third-string Eagle Scout quarterback as the leader of the Washington Redskins without ever throwing a pass. It’s too good a story to be ruined by Beck actually having to play quarterback.
It’s a football version of Roy Hobbs — with a twist. They will say about John Beck, “He’s the best that never was.”
Examiner columnist Thom Loverro is the co-host of “The Sports Fix” from noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday on ESPN980 and espn980.com. Contact him at [email protected].
