Former BYU QB, John Beck Getting Another Opportunity in the NFL

By: Mitch Harper (Twitter: @Mitch_Harper)

Since the Washington Redskins won their last Super Bowl, Super Bowl XXVI in the 1991 season, the ‘Skins have only made three Playoff appearances since.  A lot of that has had to do with the lack of stability at Quarterback.  From Heath Shuler to Gus Frerotte to Patrick Ramsey and to Donovan McNabb, the Skins have had no consistent production from QBs the past two decades.

With Donovan McNabb looking more and more likely to be out of Washington, Redskins Head Coach Mike Shanahan is turning his attention to a familiar name to many BYU fans, John Beck.

Beck, who was a 2nd Round Draft Choice to the Miami Dolphins in the 2007 Draft has had limited opportunities in the NFL.  When drafted by the Dolphins, Cam Cameron was the coach.  Beck started four games for the Phins that ‘07 season, which was the worst the season in Dolphins history going 1-15.  And after only one season, Cam Cameron was fired.

Bill Parcells came into Miami and cleaned house, Beck was an odd man out in Miami.  Beck surfaced in Baltimore where Cam Cameron was the Offensive Coordinator in 2009.  Only problem was that the Ravens had young Quarterback Joe Flacco who was coming off a AFC Championship Game run.  Beck never saw time in Baltimore.  In 2010, the Ravens dealt Beck to the Redskins.

Beck didn’t see much time last season.  The Skins let McNabb and Rex Grossman try and put something together, but nothing happened between the two mediocre players, and the Redskins finished a mediore 6-10.  Far below expectations in Shanahan’s first season as the coach.

This past weekend was the NFL Draft, and as usual coaches were addressing the media, recapping their teams Draft’s.  Shanahan received critics for not taking a Quarterback in the Draft.  He tried to silence those critics by saying he was very high on John Beck.  That was one of the reasons why they traded for him last season.  Shanahan went on to say that he had John Beck as his #1 QB in the Draft of 2007, and “it wasn’t even close.” He went on to say.  Shanahan at the time was the coach of the Denver Broncos.

Beck has the talent and the passion for football.  Would be great to see Beck have an opportunity to lead the Redskins.  The ‘Skins fan base seems to be up in arms about the move, demanding the team sign someone in the Free Agency period when the NFL Lockout ends.  Fact is though, John Beck could be a fantastic QB for the Skins if given a chance.

One Redskins fan on Twitter, @Based_Bro is sold on Beck as his QB for the Skins.  Posting this photo.

It has to be that majestic mullet Beck has been sporting for the past year.  Our former Cougars leave Provo and they love the beards or the mullets.  A thing of absolute beauty.

*****

Another former BYU QB, Max Hall of the Arizona Cardinals saw his team pick no QBs as well during the NFL Draft.

Now the Cardinals are very likely to sign or make a trade for a QB when the Lockout ends, as Cardinals Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt hasn’t given any vote of confidence to either Max Hall or John Skelton.  But Free Agency and Trades are no guarantees to have something pan out.

Will be an interesting NFL season for former BYU Quarterbacks.  That is of course, if there’s a NFL season at all.

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