10 Reasons Why John Beck Should Start for the Washington Redskins in Week 7

Compiling a list of a reasons why Rex Grossman shouldn’t be the Redskins starting quarterback is a little easy. Take into account his four-interception performance last week and the task becomes even simpler.

But with the team sitting at 3-2 with a defense that is very reliable and a division that is still attainable, perhaps kicking Grossman to the curb after five games is jumping the gun a bit.

Although I’d like to try and keep the name “Grossman” out of this list, it’s near impossible. Even with 10 supporting statements for John Beck and why he should start next week, I’m sure I’ll find some room to throw in a few Grossman bashings.

10. Even with a Mullet, Beck Is Cooler

Just for starters, John Beck is cooler. I don’t care what other players say, I’m looking at it from a fan’s perspective. And I think all of my dislike towards Grossman off the field assembled Sunday evening when I saw this.

9. Think of the Opponent in Week 7

The Redskins head to Charlotte this week to take on the Carolina Panthers—a team that sits at just 1-5 but has the ability to explode on offense.

In John Beck’s first career start since 2007; doesn’t it make more sense to put him up against a defense that is allowing almost 360 yards per game?

Or, just to make it juicy, could Mike Shanahan look at this week’s upcoming game and view the vulnerable Panthers defense as an opportunity for Grossman to get back on track?

8. Don't Mean to Bash Carolina, but Seriously

Likely a sign of their 1-5 record, the Carolina Panthers are allowing opposing quarterbacks to have field days on their defense. Through six games, the Panthers allow quarterbacks to post ratings of 99.8, fourth-highest in the NFL

7. Folding Like a Lawn Chair

No one can predict the future or say that it won’t happen to Beck, but Grossman’s four interceptions in arguably the Redskins’ most important game of the season is completely unacceptable.

A win against the Eagles would have given the Redskins a nice look over the NFC East division and it would have dealt a potential season-ending blow to Philadelphia.

Instead, when it came down to a big-time game in front of a home crowd, a starting quarterback craps the bed and throws almost as many interceptions to the opposing team as he did completions to his own.

6. Beck Wins with Arm Strength

Not that I, or anyone else, has received much opposition to the point that Grossman has horrible arm strength, but if you wondered what exactly we’re all talking about, just watch the Eagles game.

Underthrowing receivers seems to be a Grossman favorite and we have all seen the arm strength of John Beck. It’s better.

However, according to color commentator and former Baltimore Ravens head coach Brian Billick, Rex Grossman has a cannon for an arm. Yea. Right.

5. Stop with the Promises

You know what’s embarrassing? Guaranteeing that your team will win the NFC East and then posting a 23.7 quarterback-rating against a division foe.

It doesn’t come down to intelligence or which guy is smarter. I’m the last idiot that can judge that kind of thing. But more so, it comes down to just handling things (whether it be interviews, pressers, radio visits, etc) with professionalism and swagger.

And I’m not picking on Grossman here just because he sounded foolish with his prediction. I’m mentioning this because I can’t stand his demeanor off the field…ever. It doesn’t come off to me as a quarterback.

Beck, on the other hand, carries himself very well and almost comes off a little over-confident. Rare for a 30-year-old with just a handful of games under his belt, but respectable.

4. The Last of the Opponent Stuff

Given that the Redskins switch quarterbacks now, I think that’s the guy they’ll roll with until the end of the season. Unless Beck is named the starter and he somehow outperforms Grossman in awfulness, I think Beck would be the guy from here out.

That being said, why not give Beck his first start against a Panthers defense that is minus-five in turnovers? Going against this Washington defense and assuming ball control, Beck could receive a hefty amount of snaps.

The Panthers defense is atrocious on third down, giving up first downs on 46 percent of the third downs they face. As a quarterback, converting on third is what boosts your confidence and instills the trust in your teammates. See where I’m going with this?

For his career, Grossman completes just under 55 percent of his passes. That sucks.

The Panthers are allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete a generous 64 percent of their passes. Give the ball to the more accurate Beck and let him get his feet wet against a shoddy Carolina defense.

3. Grossman Can't Be in Future Plans. Right?

 Let’s assume the Redskins draft a quarterback next April, which they should. Will the rookie be somewhat groomed and eased into the starting role? Or will he be thrown into the fire?

This very well may depend on what round the Redskins land their guy and what kind of player he really is. If they land a guy like Landry Jones or Matt Barkley, maybe they insert him into the starting role a little sooner than a slight project like Robert Griffin III or Ryan Tannehill.

Again with assumptions, let’s say the rookie comes in and Shanahan opts for him to hold the clipboard first. Who do we want this young guy sitting behind?

I’m not implying that Beck is a superstar Peyton Manning that can teach the young guy a thing or two, but it’s safe to say that Beck is more of a starter next season than Grossman is—at least at this point.

With Grossman due to hit free agency next season and his play this season not improving upon his label of “Turnover Machine,” why would the Redskins continue to waste their time?

Imagine if Beck comes in this week, plays well, continues to start the remainder of the season and ends with a quarterback rating in the low 80s. Suddenly the quarterback position going into next season doesn’t seem all that bad. You got a rookie in waiting, you got John Beck getting his first full season as a Redskins starter and the offense is operating more efficiently than it ever did with Grossman in 2011.

2. We Need Your Feet, Johnny!

Through five games, the Redskins have let up 10 sacks. Although you hate to envision two sacks per game, Washington actually ranks 10th in the league with fewest sacks allowed this season (the leaders are Buffalo, Tennessee and Oakland with seven).

Amidst the Redskins’ defeat last week, the offensive line was hit hard with a season-ending injury to left guard Kory Lichtensteiger and a high ankle sprain to left tackle Trent Williams that could force him to miss a couple of weeks.

According to reports, the Redskins will promote rookie guard Maurice Hurt from the practice squad and the team could possibly move right tackle Jammal Brown to the left side until Williams returns.

With a line that will certainly feel the loss of two key lineman, John Beck’s mobility is almost a necessity moving forward. Grossman drops back to the same spot every time and has zero mobility whatsoever. It can only get worse with a depleted front line.

1. Now or Never with Nothin' to Lose

It’s do-or-die time for John Beck and his NFL career.

Although he has only been in the league for five seasons and four starts, Beck is 30 years old. Other than his four starts for a pitiful Miami team as a rookie in 2007, Beck has nothing to show for himself.

What if in fact the Redskins were sitting on a gold mine? I mean, who really knows what Beck has to offer? He has never really been given the opportunity.

Like Santana Moss says that a quarterback shouldn’t be judged by one bad outing, can anyone really criticize or judge Beck just from his four starts as a rookie? Can I bring up the argument of sample size and remind you that Beck has just those four starts to Grossman’s 39?

We have nothing to lose as a team or as a fan base. Rex Grossman is an average back-up at best, and everyone knows that. The very worst that can happen with John Beck at the helm is that he too turns out to be a back-up quarterback at best—but with better mobility and arm strength.

We all know what we have with Rex Grossman. And unless we give him a shot, no one will ever know what we have with John Beck.