2011 NFL Preseason: Did Rex Grossman’s Mouth Give John Beck a Bump?

After Rex Grossman was named the starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins' first preseason game, he anointed his team as the NFC East favorites. Grossman turned in a solid performance, but with John Beck getting the start this week, you have to wonder if his comments got him in some hot water with head coach Mike Shanahan.

Grossman completed 19 of 26 passes for 207 yards and a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He led several efficient drives and vaulted him into contention for the starting job, but his candid comments to the media probably didn't help his cause with the tight-lipped Shanahan.

Beck has been the favorite to win the job since the lockout ended, but Grossman's play in training camp and the Steelers game could mean a quarterback controversy is on the horizon in Washington. Beck hasn't played in a regular season game since struggling with the Miami Dolphins in 2007.

Grossman has thrown the same number of touchdowns and interceptions (40) in his career. He did lead the Bears to the Super Bowl at the end of the 2006 season playing the game manager role. While he is nothing more than an average NFL quarterback, that's more than Beck has shown to this point.

Beck was drafted in the second round by the Dolphins in '07. He didn't take well when he was thrown to the wolves in his rookie season and it killed any confidence he had at the time. He has slowly worked his way back into a position to earn a starting role, but his competition is stealing the headlines.

One of the major problems for Beck during his short stint in Miami was ball control. He fumbled seven times and lost five of them in just five games. While a porous offensive line certainly played a role, he tended to hold the ball too long.

No matter which quarterback wins the job, they will be asked to manage the game in Shanahan's run-oriented offense. Unfortunately for Redskins fans, neither guys has a track record of being able to avoid mistakes, so it could be a long season in D.C.

--Tim Daniels