Halfway through preseason, Washington's quarterback quandary remains.
The good news for coach Mike Shanahan, who benched Donovan McNabb last December and traded the six-time Pro Bowl passer in July, is that both of his unheralded quarterback candidates have been getting the job done this month.
John Beck, who hasn't started a regular-season game since he was a 26-year-old Miami Dolphins rookie in December 2007, is 1-0 with a 101.0 passer rating this preseason.
Rex Grossman, who has started just four games since he was the reigning NFC championship quarterback of the Chicago Bears in December 2007, is 1-0 with an 89.3 rating.
So Shanahan, who won back-to-back Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos in 1997-98, is looking smart so far for gambling that Beck and Grossman can stack up against the NFC East's elite quarterbacks: Pro Bowl pick Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys, Super Bowl winner Eli Manning of the New York Giants and Comeback Player of the Year Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles, none of whom have a rating as high as 73.5 this August.
But Thursday's test is the big one in that it comes against the ferocious Baltimore Ravens' defense in the third preseason game, normally the final factor in deciding who'll start come the regular season opener.
Shanahan and his son, offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, said that they'll split the playing time with the starters between Grossman and Beck, but neither will say who'll open the game.
"I don't know what's going to happen, but when I do get a chance, I want to be at my best," said Beck, who missed the preseason opener against Pittsburgh with a groin injury but produced points on each of his four drives as the starter at Indianapolis last Friday.
"I thought he did a pretty good job," Kyle Shanahan said of Beck. "He made smart decisions, didn't have many bad plays … completed the ball, moved the chains. … It was a good first step for him."
Grossman was sharp as the starter against the Steelers but generated just seven points and wasn't as good against the Colts, who held his second unit scoreless.
Kyle Shanahan said that he wasn't disappointed with Grossman's play at Indianapolis, adding that the quarterbacks "are making it pretty hard on us. Both of them give us a chance to win games. I'm hoping one of them separates himself so they can make it a little easier on us."
The tie might well go to unknown quantity Beck because of his bigger upside, but Grossman said he's not worried about the drama.
"I'm just trying to get ready to play Baltimore and have a good game," Grossman said. "I'm not focused on the John-Rex stuff. I don't have any clue what the time frame is (for Shanahan to name his Week 1 starter). I'll be ready whenever they say."
According to Mike Shanahan, whenever is still weeks away.
"I've got a lot of confidence in both guys," said Shanahan, adding that he wouldn't announce the starter until just before kickoff against the Giants to force them to prepare for both quarterbacks. "It is unusual. I understand why (the decision) gets all this scrutiny and all the hype. It doesn't happen very often, but we've got two guys that we believe in, two guys that are very close right now. I feel very comfortable going into our first game with either quarterback. But we'll have to make one of those tough decisions and we won't make it until the end."
NOTES: Mike Sellers, a Pro Bowl pick at fullback in 2008, was moved to a reserve tight end role this summer at age 36 in order to give 24-year-old Darrel Young as much work as possible with the first team, but Shanahan has switched Sellers back to second-team status at both spots. … Shanahan said that running back Ryan Torain (hand), receiver Malcolm Kelly (foot), tight end Chris Cooley (knee) and safeties LaRon Landry (hamstring) and Kareem Moore (knee) will all miss their third preseason game on Thursday. … Defensive end Adam Carriker (foot) might miss a second straight game. … WR Brandon Banks (knee) will miss a second straight game. … Linebacker Edgar Jones, who suffered a concussion against the Colts, won't play Thursday.
