An Interview with John Beck
There have been quite a number of inquiries as to how John Beck is feeling about his experiences in the NFL thus far. In an answer to these requests I -Markell- interviewed John to find out what the former BYU QB is up to in Miami Florida.
To answer this question John shared with me the advice he got from Chad Lewis when John was a sophomore. Chad told John, “No matter what your goals are, no matter what mountain you want to climb, as long as you keep stepping you will reach the top.” That is what John is doing in Miami. He is approaching each day as another opportunity to keep climbing the mountain.
Another nugget from Chad is something he told John his Junior year: “I guarantee you that what you are going through right now is the best preparation you can have for the NFL.” This has given John a great perspective on his situation in Miami and an opportunity to reflect on his time at BYU.
Lesson #1:
John’s first 2 years at BYU were nothing like he dreamed. He was thrown in as the starting QB before he was ready – fresh off his mission – and before he knew a lot about the college game. His rookie year in Miami followed the same story line. Playing on the worst team in the NFL, forced into the starting role before he really understand the game at that level.
Application:
John is excited about the opportunity to learn from Chad Pennington this year. John and Chad stay late at the facility studying together every week. John feels like this is a great opportunity to learn from someone who has a lot of NFL experience and is someone who is a lot like John. Both pride themselves on being Smart, Accurate, Hard Working, and being a Leader. The best thing about it for John is that Chad is playing well, which shows John that the way Chad prepares shows on Sunday. John is taking advantage of Chad and trying to learn all he can so that when his opportunity comes, he will be prepared.
Lesson #2:
Early in his career at BYU John found himself in a lot of situations that he did not know how to handle on the field. Coming out of high school, John had only lost one game. Everything had always gone his way. At BYU the ball was bouncing the other way. John learned to take a look at what went wrong, and why the team got in that situation. He then studied until he found ways to not put the team in those situations.
Application:
After losing to Utah in overtime in 2005 John went back and studied all the plays in the game, especially the last one to find multiple options of things he could have done to make the plays we needed. He said he found 6 options of things he could do if he was in that situation again. So when we were at Utah in 2006 and there was one last play to be run, John said he has completely confident in what he had to do. He was not nervous. “That play was a bit backyard-ish, but that is what I knew it had to be. I knew I had to hold the ball as long as I could, I knew I had to run around and throw it at the last second. When I saw the first LB rush, I knew the O- Line would pick him up. When I saw the second LB come I knew I had to run and I would throw it right when he got close.”
Right now John is really positive in his situation. Like his start at BYU it is not what he had invisioned. As John puts it,
“I am a second year QB who had an opportunity to get some experience as a starter. I know what it is like to prepare as the starter. I know how the coach’s treat you and what they expect out of you as a starter. I played my first two games against two of the toughest defesnses on the road in two of the toughest stadiums, so I have experienced that. I also know what it is like to come off the bench in the middle of the game, I did that last year too. So I fell like there are not too many things that will be new anymore.”
WHEN PREPERATION MEETS OPPORTUNITY IT EQUALS SUCCESS
John has always been a hard worker and one who won’t settle for anything less than his personal best. He approaches each game and each day as if he is the starting QB for the Miami Dolphins. “I study the film and I have found what type of level I need to be at, I am getting to that level.”
John is preparing for his opportunity. He knows it will come. He doesn’t know what the situation will be, or when it will come, but when it does he knows he will be ready!
I -Quinn- would like to thank both Markell and John for taking the time to put this together. I wish John all the best. When John and I lived together I knew he would one day be in the NFL. I don’t know anyone that loved football and competing more then John. I wish him the best. Thanks John!!
Good read. I hope John gets put in a better situation in the future. It’s unfortunate that both at BYU and in Miami, coaches up against the wall threw him to the dogs to save their own careers. In the meantime, keep climbing!
John, you are the best! I, along with many others, have never given up on you since you were a freshman and you have only delivered with greatness. Keep preparing and it will all work out for you whether in Miami or somewhere else. Don’t ever forget you have tons of supporters!
And John, if the going ever seems too tough, never forget that time you shredded TCU, or when you shuffled the ball to Fui at AF, or shuffled to Zac at Utah, or stood on the podium in the LV Bowl. Never forget how you represent BYU so well. And, NEVER forget the time you ran left, threw right, and hit #13! You are the man!
One question for John (maybe through Markell) I have ALWAYS wanted to know. (I have kept this question for a time if I ever met John I would ask him this-maybe this is a good time)….. At what point did you see Harline open?
Have never had a favorite nfl team really, but was an instant Miami fan because of Beck, and am an avid Giants fan for Kehl.
Thanks for the info, hope John the best.
I want the best for John, and I believe that the NFL will not be able to keep him down.
I am concerned about the Dolphins situation however. Does John really feel that he is getting an equal opportunity with that program, or should he get the heck out of Dodge? At the beginning of the year I was following this thing pretty closing, as well as one can from a media perspective. I don’t know how accurate that is, but it appeared that the writing on the wall said that it was all about the Chads on that team. It appeared that Chad Henne was to be the next man as soo as Pennington was done. Hopefully, that’s not true, but I wonder if it would be better for John’s career to trade to another team, preferable one with a better line. Tell me your thoughts, thanks!
One of the best games I ever seen John Beck play (I saw about all of them) was his freshman year at San Diego State. I thought then “Wow, we are back in the quarterback business!”
I love that quote about if your feet are still moving your making progress.
Awesome job Markell. There are a lot of us that rarely comment, but really appreciate the work you and Quinn put in. Stories like this are the reason I’m addicted to this site.
Scott, I don’t know the answer to that one specifically. He did tell me that he knew when he rolled the coverage would roll with him and he saw the LB vacate the left side. I think that led him to look back to the open area.
Trey,
I think at the beginning John was frustrated, because like any competitor, he wanted to be the guy. Right now though, John feels like he has a great opportunity to learn and grow.
The NFL is so weird with trades and cuts and everything, you just never know. The minute you think you got it figured out, they do the opposite.
I know John really likes Miami, and if things could work out there he would be very happy. We (His sister and I) keep hoping that he will come to the Chargers, so our sons can hang out together.
Whoops, I meant ran right threw left. I was thinking as Harline saw it.
I attended a Utah game this year, I could still see that faint outline of Jonnie catching that ball, amazing! My Ute friend at last admitted, he continues to see him also–, and Collie on 4th and 18,– isn’t that something!!– the pukes can see—-
Should’ve just asked Wendell. I’m sure he has all the answers as to why John hasn’t been succesful in the NFL.
Hang tough Brother Beck, Hang tough!!!!
I think for most Cougar fans, John Beck is the personification of the program’s return to prominence. We want all you guys to succeed after BYU, to be sure, but Beck holds a special place as the QB of redemption.
I sure hope he gets his shot and things go his way.
Hats off to John Beck. It’s very hard for me to say Beck was my favorite Cougar from 2006 because there were so many excellent Cougar players that year, but Beck was truly great. He is the finest quarterback to come out of BYU to this point in terms of everything that the BYU football program is or hopes to represent. Even better he is from my home town. God bless John Beck. I hope he becomes one of the finest NFL quarterbacks to play ball.
Good luck John! You’re a good man.
I think John Beck is the most underrated QB in BYU History. He was great, for a long time, before he was acknowledged as such. He left a legacy for Max of success, confidence, and expectation, that didn’t exist when John took over. From the beginning of John’s Jr year, he played at a level that very, very few Cougars can talk about. McMahon, and Detmer, really the only two in my opinion that played at the same level. Beck’s Sr year is unsurpassed imo. (maybe a few guys can argue they played at the level, but I don’t believe any played better for a whole season)
Anyway, the reason i’m such a diehard is guys like Chad Lewis, Kehl, Beck, and so many others that are superstars off the field too.
Quinn, i am a long time reader of TBS, Cougarboard, Dick Harmon etc. This is the an exceptional thing you are doing, keep up the good work. Love Markell’s contributions, love the past player interviews, loved Markell’s story about Crowton.
Keep it up folks, and best of luck.
Ray Cox
I was rooting for the Dolphins when they played in the playoff even though Beck hasn’t been in there at all that I know of.. I love to hear about the team and get his Cards whenever I can! Go BYU!!
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