John Beck tutors Cougar QB competitors

John Beck found himself being a tutor to two BYU quarterbacks this spring.

As Beck was tossing around the football in Provo with Dennis Pitta and Andrew George during BYU's spring football practices, BYU quarterback hopefuls Riley Nelson and James Lark approached Beck and asked his advice. Beck told them if they ever needed anything, he'd make himself available.

The duo, who join freshman Jake Heaps in a battle to replace Max Hall as the Cougars' starting QB this fall, took Beck at his word.

A few weeks later, Nelson and Lark showed up in Baltimore, where Beck was preparing for Raven minicamps. For hours in a hotel room, he found himself helping them understand some of what it takes to be a starting quarterback.

"They have skills," said Beck. "What they were looking for was some help.

"The NCAA restricts how much time athletes can spend with coaches, and I was more than happy to provide some tips because I know from experience how it was for me trying to improve myself during my first years at BYU when head coaches, offensive coordinators and quarterback coaches were changing."

Beck said he tried to show them how to effectively break down film of themselves.

"It's how you look at yourself running a play. There are things you can pick up on, like what a defense is doing and not only how to recognize it but to do it fast," Beck said.

"One of the big differences in playing the college and NFL game is how important it is to speed up your progressions. For instance, before the snap, you should be pretty much able to tell if your first option is going to work, then get to your second and third. The faster you do that, the bigger the play."

Beck taught them how to quickly recognize coverages by how linebackers react to a formation before and right after the snap.

"Young quarterbacks don't eliminate the 1 and 2 options quick enough," Beck said. "If you can check down to your second or third options while the defense is still expanding and linebackers are dropping, the more yardage a receiver can make after a catch."

The two Cougar QBs were anxious to learn.

"I wish I'd had a veteran quarterback spend time with me when I was in their situation," said Beck.

Ravens starter Joe Flacco has the job sewn up in Baltimore, and Beck is battling former Ohio State Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith for the No. 2 spot.