ASHBURN, Va. -- For his 30th birthday, John Beck received praise from Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, a dinner out from his family, and several questions from a swarm of reporters.
What the Redskins quarterback didn't get was an answer from Shanahan whether he or fellow quarterback Rex Grossman will start against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday.
"I haven't made that decision," Shanahan said Sunday. "We'll see what happens during the week with our football team and obviously share with the players first."
Shanahan said he was pleased with the decision-making of Beck, whom the Indianapolis Colts sacked three times Friday in Washington's second preseason game.
"Good quarterback play is taking a sack when you have to take a sack, trying to make something happen when you're able to make something happen," said Shanahan, who attributed Beck's lack of downfield passing to the Colts' zone defense. "And I thought John made some good decisions."
Beck started the game and completed 14 of 17 passes for 140 yards. Grossman threw for 88 yards on 8-of-12 passing in relief.
In the Redskins' preseason opener, Grossman completed 19 of 26 passes for 207 yards with a touchdown on Aug. 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers -- a game Beck missed after he suffered a groin injury in practice.
With his stellar play against the Colts in his preseason debut, Beck held serve in the quarterback competition.
"He's a gamer," wide receiver Jabbar Gaffney said. "From everything we do in practice, he was a totally different guy out there on the field in the game.
"His energy level picked up. It picked up a lot. That surprised me a little bit, but I'd say it's a good thing."
Beck was surrounded by a media swarm after practice on Friday, causing a few teammates to shout cautionary words: "Don't kill the guy, man." "Let the man breath." "Don't kill the man."
The scrutiny will be strong until Shanahan picks a starting quarterback.
"They know what they're doing in this offense, both smart and savvy guys," tight end Fred Davis said. "And John went in and did what he had to do, too. I'm just glad I don't have to make that decision."
Notes: The Achilles' heel injury that kept safety LaRon Landry on the physically unable to perform list has healed, but he tweaked his hamstring working out in Indianapolis. His status is day to day, and he remains on the PUP list. Safety Oshiomogho Atogwe participated in every portion of practice, but he's still working his way back to full speed. ... Defensive end Adam Carriker, who missed the Colts game because of blisters on his foot, didn't participate in drills while media watched practice. Wearing socks and sandals, Carriker rode a stationary bike during team stretching and stood to the side watching defensive-line drills. Wide receiver Brandon Banks is receiving platelet-rich plasma therapy for his injured knee. He'll miss Thursday's game, but Shanahan hopes he can play in the final preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Linebacker Edgar Jones, who sustained a concussion while covering punts against the Colts, said the headaches he was experiencing Saturday have subsided, but he's still sensitive to light. ... Linebacker London Fletcher sat out against the Colts with a groin injury, but could he have played? "I don't know. Next question." He participated in every portion of practice, but he didn't play at full speed. Shanahan hopes wide receiver Malcolm Kelly, who has been out with a foot injury, will practice within a week. Wide receiver Terrence Austin hasn't returned a regular-season punt in the NFL, but he's returned a team-high five this preseason and is averaging 12.8 yards per return. ... After cutting kicker Shayne Graham on Aug. 14, Washington signed Clint Stitser on Thursday to compete with Graham Gano. Stitser made 7 of 8 field goals and 8 of 10 extra points for the Cincinnati Bengals last year. He wore a nameless No. 3 jersey Sunday. The Redskins ended practice early due to lightning.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
