Quarterback watch
John Beck
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Beck improved rather quickly after he arrived in the trade from Baltimore. But then he hit a plateau and hasn’t looked like someone who could help the Redskins. If they only go with two quarterbacks, Beck has no shot of unseating Rex Grossman for the backup spot. He’s also not eligible for the practice squad — Richard Bartel is — since he spent the entire 2007 season on Miami’s active roster. But with Donovan McNabb sidelined for Friday night, Beck will get an opportunity.
Player of note
TE Dennis Morris
The rookie missed practice because of a knee injury. It’s been a tough camp for Morris, who has not done a whole lot either in practice or in the preseason. When he was drafted, the Redskins said he would play some fullback, but he mostly has worked as a tight end. He still looks like he’s always unsure of where to go or who to block. It also appears that he’d need to get stronger. At this point, it’s hard to imagine him as anything other than a practice squad player.
News & notes
» Former Redskins executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato said one reason Washington signed Albert Haynesworth was because Sherman Smith provided a good review. Smith had been on Tennessee’s coaching staff when Haynesworth played for the Titans. “I think we talked to a lot of people, plus Sherman Smith had been on the Tennessee staff for a number of years — he knew Albert very well,” Cerrato told 106.7 The Fan. “We had first-hand information on Albert, [knew] everything about the guy because Sherman was there from the time Albert got there.”
» However, Smith told CSNwashington.com that it’s “ridiculous” that Cerrato in part blamed him. “They wouldn’t give a guy a $100 million contract based only on what I said,” Smith said. “I told them exactly about our experience in Tennessee and said you guys make the decision.” Smith said his advice was boiled down to two words: buyer beware. “The people in that meeting know what I said — you won’t find one guy in that meeting who will come out and say what Vinny said,” Smith said. “Not one.”
» Coach Mike Shanahan said the New York Jets can have HBO and “Hard Knocks.” It’s not for him. “They asked me to do it a couple times in Denver and I didn’t feel very comfortable with it,” he said.
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