+2
John Beck replaced Rex Grossman in Week 6 and the Redskins announced he would start in Week 7, too.
So who will be the starting quarterback for Washington the next time the Redskins take the field? Right now, not even Mike Shanahan knows status of his QBs. The Redskins coach said he'll announce the starter following practice on Wednesday.
And just like that Washington is thrown back into a full-blown quarterback controversy between Rex Grossman and John Beck.
Shanahan addressed the issue at a press conference on Monday.
"I have not made up my mind right now. I believe in both guys. … I know these guys have got what it takes."
Grossman was benched in the third quarter after throwing four interceptions on Sunday in a loss to the Eagles. He completed just nine of 23 pass attempts and has turned the ball over 11 times in his first five weeks (nine interceptions, two lost fumbles).
Beck stepped in for Grossman and completed 8 of 17 passes and ran for Washington's only touchdown of the day on a quarterback sneak.
Grossman could be the leader in the quarterback competition, having beaten out Beck for the starting job before the season. The Washington Times' Nathan Fenno wrote that receivers Santana Moss and Jabar Gaffney backed Grossman. Here's Moss:
"No question. That's not even something that should be asked."
If Beck has a leg up, it's this: He did not throw four interceptions on Sunday.
For the latest updates and analysis on the quarterback controversy, check out our Redskins blog Hogs Haven.
Rex Grossman threw his fourth interception of the game, this one picked off by Eagles defensive end Kenyon Coleman. Four interceptions will mark the end of the day for Grossman, and the beginning of the John Beck era in Washington. Here’s a video of Grossman’s pick.
Beck replaced Grossman to start the fourth quarter. Grossman finished his day with 143 yards on nine completions in 22 attempts to go with his four picks.
Many wondered if the Redskins wold start Beck to begin their season after Beck performed well in preseason play. Head coach Mike Shanahan opted to go with the veteran, and it looked like the right move after two wins to start the season, including an opening week defeat of the New York Giants. Prior to their week five bye, Grossman threw two picks against the lowly St. Louis Rams, which almost allowed them to come back in that game if not for their own incompetence.
John Beck Named Starting QB For Redskins Over Rex Grossman
The Washington Redskins were one of several teams expected to have a possible quarterback change on their hands and they went ahead and pulled the trigger. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports it'll be John Beck starting at quarterback for the Redskins this weekend when they play the Carolina Panthers.
Rex Grossman had been named the starter before the season leading the Redskins to a 3-3 record before throwing four interceptions last Sunday. Grossman was yanked in the third quarter and replaced by Beck who completed 8-of-15 passes for 110 yards.
Earlier this week, coach Mike Shanahan said he hadn't made up his mind as to who the starter would be but he believes in both guys.
The Beck era will be interesting in Washington because, despite Beck being 30 years old, he only has four career starts under his belt and those came in 2007. He really doesn't have much regular season experience for us (or the coaching staff) to get a good idea of what he does well.
We'll find that out on Sunday when they visit the Panthers. Check out SB Nation's Hogs Haven for the full analysis of the move.
Oct 19 9:19a by Joel Thorman - 2 comments