by Steve Shoup
Discussion Question: What do you think about John Beck being named the Redskins starting Quarterback?
October 19, 2011 in Uncategorized by Steve Shoup
The Redskins have decided to make the move to John Beck as the starting quarterback for Week 7. Is this the right move for the Redskins? How long will this last? Give your thoughts here.
Beck was just named the starting QB, was it the right choice?
Agree with Steve that I don’t even care about this “QB controversy”…because its the worst QB controversy ever…its not like this is two amazing & competitive QB…its who will stink less and not ruining our chances of having a decent season to build on!
They’re both just average at best so I truly don’t care either way. If we’re going to win, its going to be our defense and getting a running game established.
Yeah, with that banged up offensive line, which was not a solid O-line before, the quarterback is going to need to extend plays and also pick up first downs on scrambles. Beck is much more capable than Grossman at doing that.
Beck might be more capable of scrambling, but that isn’t always the right call. Grossman was among the least sacked QB’s thus far this season (% wise based on drop backs), but one of the most pressured. He got the ball away and read the blitz. Now usually it was incomplete (and more than once ended up in opposing teams hands), but the point is he did well with pressure. Beck might be more mobile, but it is worth noting, he had more incompletes, INT’s and was sacked more, despite fewer drop backs in preseason. Beck was also highly inaccurate on Sunday when forced to go on the move. Mobility is nice, but if you don’t do anything with it you are Tavaris Jackson.
I’m with most of the Washington sports media on this one. It would say far more about the Shanahans if they didn’t make this change.
I’ll offer 4 points based on the CURRENT state of affairs that trend this decision to be the correct one. Because decisions have to be made with present information, I’ll disregard any argument about Rex winning the QB competition pre-season.
1) This team isn’t built to win games riding on the strength of the passing game, or the QBs command of the full playbook. The Skins are a run first, run often team that looks to open up the soft gooey center of defenses that commit a majority of personnel to the box. Are Armstrong, Moss, Gaffney & Stallworth built to beat teams vertically? With the possible exception of Armstrong… this is a firm NO. Solid route runners working behind linebackers that will beat single coverage on hard slants and drag routes are where Redskin WRs take flight along with Fred Davis. Davis is actually the best outside-the-hashes option as he primarily draws an LB in coverage that cannot keep pace. What is required of the QB on this team is accuracy and decision making. Beck shook off the rust of having not taken and first team reps, with no in-game experience on the year coming into the Philly game and went 8-15 (53.3%) for 117 yds (7.8/attempt). Rex having all the in-game experience and first team reps, in the same game, against the same defense was 9 of 22 (40.9%) for 144 yds (6.5/attempt) with 4 picks. Passing edge: BECK.
2) Beyond “managing the game” as my first point sums up, with the woes the offensive line is experiencing, QB mobility will be at a premium from this game forward. Losing Lichtensteiger to the ACL and Williams high ankle sprain will force the left side of the line to endure 2 new bodies, at least until Williams can return. Run assignments are markedly easier for an OL as they can be summed up with, “move the guy in front of you, away from where our RB is supposed to go… once completed, find another party to move”. Pass blocking is not as simple, the chemistry a line develops is incredibly important to keeping your QB upright with time to throw. Understanding not only your assignment, but the assignments of those around you, helps with the quick decision making on who to block, who to help, and who to release based on flow of the play. No doubt opposing defenses are licking their chops at the prospect of being able to rush through 2 new bodies on the blind side of the line. Mobility edge: BECK.
3) The talk out of Washington all year has been that the “hot hand” will play. Most notably, this idea has been tacked to the running game, but it is apparent in every other capacity as well. After Fred Davis incredible intro in game one… were the Skins trying to force feed him 12 balls a game? Taking the stance that the best players will see the field and that competition is always open, remaining stuck on Rex as he continues to throw to the wrong jersey would be akin to throwing the same route to the same receiver that is consistently dropping balls, or giving a RB who has fumbled multiple times due to contact repeated inside handoffs. The reps at any other non-performing position would be limited or given to another player. Philosophy edge: BECK.
4) The timing of this change gives a new QB the best chance for success. Beck won’t be facing a defensive stallwart in the upcoming week. He’ll face the Carolina Panthers. That’s right, the ever offensively dangerous, yet 1-5 Carolina Panthers. With all the talk about this being a nail biting game featuring Cam Newton and an offense that hasn’t failed to put up points this year… the Skins have a defense for that, and a pretty good one I might add. I don’t think Cam Newton will line up opposite John Beck and the Skins offense. What they will see is a team 31st in the league against the rush and tied for 28th in points scored against. Given this state of affairs, anyone think Beck needs to put the team on his back and throw for 300+ with 3 TDs for the Skins to have success this week? I don’t. Carolina’s avg. pass defense stat line against opposing QBs is 220 yds / 1.3 TDs / .5 INT. If Beck can manage to round that .5 down to a 0 as 3 other QBs have done this year, and you saw off that .3 TD… I think the Skins are in line for a productive week getting 220 yds & a TD from the guy under center. Of note, Carolina is averaging 1.5 sacks/game, which is not an overly intimidating figure. Match up edge: BECK.
Just one man’s opinion.
I like the move to Beck and unsure how it will play out b/c the O-Line situation is influx at the moment. I think Beck can scramble and has some moxie, but it’s all about decision making and it’s really unknown how Beck will do until the bullets start flying for real.
I want to see him do well like all Redskins fans, but need to see how this Carolina game unfolds and how Beck handles everything. All QB’s do have bad games, it happens, but the decision making and turnovers is what led to Sexy Rexy’s undoing.
M
Hit the wrong button so I will continue my point from here. My hope is that Beck can at least be a caretaker for a season or two while our yet to be acquired Franchise QB gets ready to take the reigns of the offense.
I agree, it is worth giving him a shot I just don’t like the ridiculous expectations placed on him. We need to realize his limitations, and those of the team (particularly after the OL injuries).
Exactly. There’s a reason the Dolphins gave up on him. It’s not like this kid is some new 1st round draft pick. He needs to prove himself, but not go out and try to win every game with every throw. Theres going to be a lot of growing pains in the district.
the good thing about Beck is that there isn’t a lot of tape on him, and NONE with him in a Skins uniform.
I think that I probably would have given Grossman one more game if I were Shannihan, but with the injuries to the O-line, he didn’t feel he had a choice. The Skins know what/how Grossman plays. The danger here is that they really don’t with Beck. if he turns out to be a disaster/worse than Grossman, I don’t see how they can go back.
@Dave
That is my fear, of now having to go back to Grossman if Beck plays as poorly and the Skins are losing.
@Mike, the Dolphins giving up on him isn’t any kind of indicator of his talent. This is the same team that traded Welker to the Pats, fo a 4th rounder!!!