Play vs. Eagles, ability to run were big factors ASHBURN — The message wasn’t long, but it was direct. And Redskins coach Mike Shanahan delivered it to John Beck on Tuesday:
“We’re going to give you an opportunity to play this week.”
With that, the Redskins again made a change at quarterback — as has been customary in the last 20 years. This time, Beck is the starter and Rex Grossman the jilted backup. Beck becomes the 21st player to start at quarterback since the Redskins won the Super Bowl after the 1991 season.
– John Keim
| Notes |
| » Receiver Anthony Armstrong and running back Tim Hightower both practiced Wednesday, a positive step toward playing Sunday at Carolina. Armstrong has missed the past two and a half games with a hamstring injury, while Hightower was active but did not play vs. Philadelphia. However, safety Oshiomogho Atogwe did not practice because of a knee injury, and cornerback Byron Westbrook was limited with a hamstring injury. Their status for Sunday is uncertain. |
| » Tight end Chris Cooley underwent surgery on his left hand Wednesday. Coach Mike Shanahan said he’s still not sure how much time he’ll miss. Cooley will visit with Dr. James Andrews on Sunday about his knee. |
| » Shanahan said he anticipates left tackle Trent Williams will miss only two to three weeks because of his high ankle sprain. If that’s the case, it’s likely that Jammal Brown would stay at right tackle, causing less disruption. |
“I’m definitely excited,” Beck said. “There’s been a lot of hard work that has gone into this. And you never know when your opportunity will come. You have to stay ready. I’ve tried to do that.”
Grossman’s turnovers — 11 this season and 18 in eight starts with Washington — doomed him. So now the Redskins turn to a player who has not started a game since his rookie season of 2007. He started four games that season, taking over when the Dolphins were 0-9. This time he assumes control of a team that’s 3-2 and fancies itself a contender in the NFC East.
Shanahan said he liked how Beck performed in relief vs. Philadelphia on Sunday, completing eight of 15 passes for 117 yards and leading a 75-yard touchdown drive.
“I was impressed with that. We put a lot of pressure on him in that situation,” Shanahan said. “I like the way he’s been practicing the last few weeks.
“He’s more comfortable with the system. It’s a constant evaluation, and you have to go with your gut. We have two guys we can win with, but I’ll give John an opportunity to see what he can do.”
Beck also adds another dimension to the offense because of his mobility.
“When you have a mobile quarterback, when things break down, the next best thing to do is use your legs,” receiver Santana Moss said. “We’ve seen him use it last week.
“Whatever decision [Shanahan] makes is the right decision for the team. He’s a very talented quarterback who hasn’t yet had his shot.”
And Beck knows about the instability of the quarterbacks in Washington. But he didn’t try to sell himself Wednesday.
“I don’t ever want to try and convince someone from a microphone,” Beck said. “I just want to go on the field and play the way I can play. Windows are small. You have to take calculated risks, and sometimes those risks don’t work. You have to continually battle.”
He also knows that ball security is an issue and a primary factor in Grossman’s benching.
“Ball security’s a point every week because it’s very hard to win in the NFL,” Beck said. “Now it’s on my shoulders to take care of the ball.”
Several sources said this summer that Shanahan’s belief was that Beck had a higher ceiling than Grossman. However, Beck could not beat him out. But Beck said missing all the offseason practices because of the lockout, then missing another week in camp because of an injury, hurt his development. The past five weeks gave him a chance to learn the offense further.
What he doesn’t want to do is look past Sunday.
“If I try to think of it as I have to do it right now, that could be putting too much pressure on yourself,” Beck said. “You just have to play. If you try to overthink things, you take away from your preparation and from the way you can naturally play.”
