The first part of his story is similar, sort of, to that of Drew Brees, a second-round guy never fully embraced by the team that drafted him. John Beck is hoping he now can duplicate the second half of Brees’ tale. Yes, the Redskins would be happy if he did that as well. Yes, it takes a leap of faith to say he could.
Trying to duplicate Brees’ success is why Beck started working out with the former NFL MVP and Super Bowl champion in the offseason three years ago, prompted by former Miami coach Cam Cameron. Aaron Rodgers also works out with them.
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While Rodgers was a first-round pick who had to sit behind Brett Favre, Brees was a second-rounder who started for his original team, San Diego, only to see the Chargers later draft Philip Rivers in the first round. Then they let him walk via free agency.
There is a difference. Beck was cut after two seasons by Miami and traded by Baltimore last August. He’ll turn 30 in August, and his four career starts came with the 1-15 Dolphins as a rookie in 1997. Brees started 58 games in five seasons with San Diego and threw 80 touchdown passes.
“It’s good to be around a guy like that,” Beck said after the Redskins’ players-only minicamp ended Wednesday. “Through all of this is … never once did I let my head think maybe I’m just one of those guys who is a lifelong backup.
“I came in the league with the belief that I can be a franchise quarterback, and that’s the belief I still hold today.”
It would be hard for the Redskins to invest 100 percent faith in either Beck or free agent Rex Grossman at this stage of their careers. That’s why every quarterback in the draft has seemingly been linked to Washington.
“I don’t have to rely on that for motivation,” Beck said. “If you don’t have a franchise guy, they’re going to be looking for a franchise guy.
“It could impact me, but I [couldn’t] care less. It’s their choice. I have no control.”
