John

Beck

We’ll pencil him in as the favorite to start, although McCown will have to hold off John Beck and most likely a draft pick. McCown, 28, has always had the physical traits (arm, athleticism, size), but never completed more than 60.4% of his passes or had a 7.0+ YPA in a season. We know he’s not supposed to be a long-term answer, but McCown isn’t even a good stopgap.

The highlight of Beck’s performance was his mobility. He consistently extended plays and ended up with three carries for 10 yards with a touchdown. Compared to Rex Grossman, he looked like Steve Young. Despite the loss, Beck certainly played well enough to gain some leash on the starting gig. Still, he’ll just be a weak QB2 play in Buffalo next week as he plays without No. 1 receiver Santana Moss (hand). Much of Beck’s yardage today came with the Panthers in prevent mode.

A Mike Shanahan favorite, Beck became expendable when the Redskins drafted Robert Griffin III on Thursday and Kurt Cousins this morning. Now 30 years old, he’s probably seen his last NFL start, but could garner some attention as a backup. In four appearances last season, Beck completed 60-of-132 passes for 858 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions. He continues to be hampered by poor pocket presence and check-down tendencies.

It’s an obvious fit because Gary Kubiak’s offense is so similar to the Shanahans’, but the Texans had better be wary of Beck’s cunning. He’s an excellent practice player who goes deer-in-the-headlights when the bullets become live. A (nearly) 31-year-old checkdown machine, Beck appeared in four games last season (three starts), and completed 60.6 percent of his passes with a 6.5 YPA, two touchdowns, and four interceptions. Beck shouldn’t be a realistic candidate to unseat T.J. Yates for Matt Schaub’s primary backup role.

“I’m fully aware they’re going to draft a quarterback,” he said. “Whatever my role will be, I want to be a part of this team, and turn this thing around.” Grossman has been the quarterback the Redskins can’t quit, but he will be Robert Griffin III’s clipboard holder if all goes according to plan. John Beck is a candidate for release.

He took an unthinkable nine sacks to lose 56 yards, and all told was hit on 14 occasions. Needless to say, Beck is going to be quite sore on Monday, and a lot of it is on him. Beck’s happy feet have returned, and he often looks like a deer in the headlights in the pocket. Someone needs to tell him to get rid of the football when no one is open and the pass rush is closing in. An even uglier performance may be ahead against a far, far better 49ers defense in Week 9.

“We did have quick throws, we just didn’t get rid of them,” Shanahan said. “John’s got to recognize that and get rid of the ball. He can’t hold onto it when we’re outnumbered ... He’s got to learn to get rid of the ball.” It’s worth noting because Beck had the same problem in five rookie-year starts with the Dolphins.

Rex Grossman is a free agent, while John Beck is under contract for $1 million in 2012. Facing what is likely a do-or-die season, coach Mike Shanahan will almost certainly take a quarterback with Washington’s first-round pick, or make a play for someone like Green Bay’s Matt Flynn. Washington has been flimsily connected to both Flynn and Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill in recent days.

Of Beck’s 30 completions, just 11 went for 10 yards or longer. Beck simply isn’t capable of challenging downfield, and though coach Mike Shanahan has endorsed him as his starter for at least one more week, it would not be surprising if Rex Grossman finds himself back under center before season’s end. Beck is barely even worth stashing as a reserve in two-QB leagues.

Beck has not played well since replacing Grossman, taking a team-record 10 sacks in Week 8 before failing to complete a pass longer than 17 yards in Week 9. It would still be surprising if he was given the hook this quickly. Beck is averaging “just” 1.3 turnovers per appearance compared to 2.2 for Grossman, and has posted similar passing numbers. The situation is clearly one to avoid in two-QB leagues, but barring implosion, it’s unlikely Beck is benched against the Dolphins.