In Beck we trust?

If you paid any attention to how the Redskins maneuvered through the 2011 draft, you will have noticed that they did not pick a single quarterback.  In April I made the rather bleak assumption in one of my blogs that if a QB was not drafted, Rex Grossman would be starting for the Skins.  It was a foregone conclusion that Donovan McNabb was history and would move on at some point.  At least I was right about that.  Back then, I had no clue that John Beck was the true heir apparent to NFL’s most prestigious throne.  I doubt that very many others thought he was either.

It appears now that Beck is on course to start this year’s opening game against the New York Giants.  Some might be asking a very pertinent question right now.  Who is John Beck?  Well, the easy answer is that he was the second round draft pick for the Miami Dolphins in 2007, a team he was with until 2008.  A year later he found himself on the Baltimore Ravens, before coming to Washington in 2010.  Beck, who turns 30 in a few weeks, has one career touchdown and three career interceptions, having thrown for just 559 yards.  Are you scared yet?

Says Peter King for Sports Illustrated,

It’s pretty clear Mike and Kyle Shanahan favor him over Rex Grossman — as long as Beck isn’t clearly outplayed this summer by Grossman. Kyle Shanahan, as a Houston assistant coach, told Texan brass when Beck was coming out of college that he was the best quarterback in that draft…

It seems that the Shanahans have placed a lot of faith in Beck.  Skins fans I know are viewing this move with a little trepidation.  It’s understandable though.  Donovan McNabb was an established star who floundered.  If he couldn’t help, how is Beck, who hasn’t started in four years, going to lead us to victory?  Redskins’ fans are looking for a savior after years of letdowns.  It is hard to embrace John Beck right now.  I will try my very best.  I hope you do too.  It looks like we really don’t have a choice.