Nothing is transparent with Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan. He’s not admitting who will be starting at quarterback for Thursday’s game against the Ravens, and he won’t be naming the starter for the season-opener against the New York Giants on Sept. 11 until kickoff. Like it won’t leak out if only through teammates on Twitter.
He even has created the notion that it doesn’t matter who starts against Baltimore. He wants New York to waste time preparing for both John Beck and Rex Grossman. Seriously? Giants coach Tom Coughlin probably isn’t too concerned. It’s not like it’s Joe Montana and Steve Young.
Shanahan said Beck and Grossman both will play against the Ravens’ starters since teams generally treat the third preseason game as a dress rehearsal for the regular season. Golly, there’s game-planning and everything.
The smart move would be to use Beck first to see whether he succeeds regardless of whether the offensive line withstands an aggressive defense.
Grossman is a known factor whose quick throws beat the pass rush against Pittsburgh on Aug.?12. Can Beck also thrive behind a line that will be tested by the Ravens’ pass rush? Can he beat his former team?
He was traded to Washington last year by Baltimore, where he practiced against the starters. He’s not facing a cover-2 defense like Indianapolis’ last week that didn’t force any mistakes.
“I know what it’s like to go against [safety] Ed [Reed] and go against [linebacker] Ray [Lewis],” Beck said.”They have an unbelievable defense. That’s why I know it will be good for our football team to go against them.”
If Shanahan truly believes Beck is the starter, the quarterback must prove it. Then again, if Shanahan wants to protect Beck because a decision has already been made, then Grossman could go out there first, allowing Beck to play once the Ravens’ adrenaline is drained.
Beck made all the right throws against Indianapolis even if he didn’t have a touchdown pass. Washington has the red-zone blues with two touchdowns and six field goals in two games. Sure sounds like last year.
“There are times as a quarterback when you get in the game and after you’ve taken a couple short ones you want to chuck it down the field, but you have to be smart,” Beck said. “Everyone’s good. Everyone tries to deceive you. This week is about managing the situation.”
If both Beck and Grossman play the same against Baltimore, it’s doubtful the preseason finale against Tampa Bay — when few starters play long stints — will be the tiebreaker. The decision will be made now even if it’s hidden behind Shanahan’s Cheshire grin.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
