NFL: John Beck trying to be Ravens' No. 2 QB

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — There is a stool that sits in front of the locker of John Beck, the former BYU quarterback preparing for his second season with the Baltimore Ravens.

And on top of that stool following a recent practice session here in suburban Baltimore was a purple-covered offensive playbook that appeared to be at least six inches thick.

Summer may be near and Beck may not be the starting quarterback for the Ravens. But that playbook, with his uniform No. 12 on the front, is a constant reminder of what it takes to be a trusty backup in the National Football League at the most important position.

Just ask one of the players he throws the ball to on a regular basis at practice.

"You have to stay on your toes. You have to be ready," said Demetrius Williams (Oregon), a wide receiver for the Ravens. "You have to be a team player. John is a good guy. He is going to study hard and be ready. It is all about the team."

The Ravens begin training camp July 27 at McDaniel College in Maryland. And when they do, Beck — drafted by the Dolphins out of BYU in the second round in 2007 — will be given a decent shot to be the backup to Baltimore starter Joe Flacco.

Last season, the backup was Troy Smith, the former Heisman Trophy winner from Ohio State. But now it appears Beck and Smith will battle it out for the spot behind Flacco, who has been the Ravens' starter in his first two NFL seasons and led his team to the playoffs both years.

"I am battling to be backup here," said Beck, standing on the practice field after a passing game in early June. "That is how it is in competitive sports. Nobody wants to be the third-string guy."

Beck said he gets along well with Flacco and Smith.

"We are friends. We are professionals. Troy knows I am trying to take his position from him" as the backup, Beck said. "We all get along really well. Joe is still No. 1. Joe is a real down-to-earth guy. He expects himself to play well."

Beck, 28, played in five games, with four starts, for the Dolphins in 2007 and completed 60-of-107 passes for 559 yards. The next year, he was designated as the third quarterback for all 16 games and one postseason contest for Miami.

The Arizona high school product was signed by the Ravens on May 4, 2009. He did not play in any games last season. Smith appeared in four games and attempted nine passes, while Flacco started all 16 games and completed 315-of-499 passes for 3,613 yards.