Around the AFC East: Week Two (MIA)
by Brian Galliford
on May 30, 2008 3:01 PM EDT
in SB Nation
It's Friday, and that means we're back with another tour of the AFC East. Each week, we'll be talking to bloggers covering the Buffalo Bills' fiercest rivals - their divisional opponents. We'll wrap up today's trio of interviews by diving into yet another quarterback controversy; this time, we're talking Dolphins quarterbacks with Matty I of The Phinsider:
Obviously, there appears to be a bit of a quarterback controversy brewing in Miami. Who wins the job - John Beck? Chad Henne? Josh McCown? Who do you want to start?
The Phinsider: Well here's the situation as it stands right now. Despite the national media (ESPN, NFLN, SI.com, etc…) wanting you to think that Chad Henne (because he was drafted by this regime) could start this season, it's not going to happen. So don't even waste time discussing it. He's been working as the team's 3rd quarterback in mini-camp and OTAs, so barring major injury issues, I don't think Henne sees the field in the regular season in 2008.
As for the other two, both Beck and McCown are alternating days with the 1st team. To open OTAs, Beck was with the 1st team. The next practice, it was McCown. So nobody right now has a clear advantage, despite some in the South Florida media reporting McCown has a leg up because of his "experience."
When all is said and done, I think the player I want to win the job will be the one that does indeed win it to open the season: John Beck. Tony Sparano already said that he's looking at all the players with a clean slate, so last season's struggles mean nothing. This off-season, nobody has probably outworked John. He's been hitting the weight room, putting on 15 or so pounds of muscle to help him make it through a 16 game season, and has been in Davie all winter and spring working with new QB coach David Lee. Most importantly, he's looked the best throwing the ball out of the 3 so far in the few practices that have taken place.
I've already put my reputation on the line over on my site by saying this, and I'll say it again: come September 7 against the Jets, it will be John Beck under center. Oh, and he'll play relatively well, too.
Let me just say this - I, for one, am hoping John Beck is the victor of this competition as well. Buffalo had a lot of trouble defending Cleo Lemon-led Dolphin drives last season (how embarrassing is that?), but the Bills' makeshift defense had Beck flustered beyond belief in a December rout of the Dolphins in Buffalo. I haven't seen a quarterback play that poorly since, unfortunately, Rob Johnson donned a Bills uni. I actually think that the "clean slate" and swapping of first-team reps at this point between Beck and McCown is more of a PR move to promote competition than an actual competition; Miami has an agenda, and I don't think Beck is part of it long-term. I'll go with McCown as the opening day starter.
As for Henne, I thought he was the most NFL-ready passer outside of Brian Brohm entering the draft, and I think he's clearly the future of that position in Miami. Henne may start the season as the #3 QB, but he's the heir apparent - and if McCown wins the starting job and falters, which isn't exactly tenuous prognosticating, my guess is that Henne gets the call before Beck once the Dolphins hit a certain point in the season. I feel confident that he'll see the field by the end of '08.
We'll wrap up the entire activity of this week's version of Around the AFC East later on this evening.
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Beck sounds right
i actually think Beck will be on the field for them this year as well. When you think about it, I do think you are 100% right Brian, that he is not in the long-term plans of the new regime. That said neither is McCown.So if you’re the Dolphins you really have nothing to lose starting Beck. If he doesn’t play well you stick to your long-term plan but if does play well, he’s still developing and is still young, then good for them, they alter their plan and go with Beck for the future. I just don’t see why you go with McCown because I don’t think the Dolphins can be entertaining many thoughts of winning now. Might as well see if Beck can step up and hold off his critics to develop into an NFL QB, if he doesn’t you were ready with a developing Henne anyways.
McKelvin and Hardy - rookies of the year
by poz on May 30, 2008 3:10 PM EDT 0 recs
That’s a fair point, and again, I’m hoping he (Beck) is the guy. I just get the feeling that McCown will play, because he’s played everywhere he’s ever been save Detroit. Either way, it’s advantage Buffalo – but I do think Henne can turn into a guy that becomes a solid NFL quarterback in the mold of Trent Dilfer (you know, before he was a 49er).
by Brian Galliford on
May 30, 2008 3:34 PM EDT
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Didn't
Trend Edwards start OTAs as the 3rd QB last year? That didn’t last long.
by Joe P. on May 30, 2008 3:11 PM EDT 0 recs
Someone should start a serious discussion about a team strategy that doesnt include an uber QB.
How much time and effort is wasted on trying to find the next Manning or Bady*?
How many times is that effort wasted?
In the last 10 years something like 50 first round draft picks have been used on QBs.
And yet in all that time there are less then a dozen franchise QBs, and not all of them were even first rounders.
Who knows how much better the Bills would be right now, if they hadnt spent 3 1sts, 1 2nd, 1 3rd, etc for a QB they might not have found even now.
Is there a strategy where you make every other position on the team great, and just bring in a decent proven FA QB to slot in?
by Thronsen on May 30, 2008 4:05 PM EDT 0 recs
Sure
A massive run-blocking O-Line and a dominant defense. It worked for Baltimore.
But make a list of the 32 best teams. And then make a list of the 32 best QBs selecting only 1 from each roster. It isn’t a coincidence that the lists will almost line up.
by kaisertown on
May 30, 2008 5:42 PM EDT
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Dolphins QBs
Chad Henne is the QB of the future there, but I agree with Matty that he starts the year third on the depth chart. Now all it will take is an injury one week and John Beck in Buffalo type performance the next to get Henne on the field. I also think Miami will be bad enough next season to throw him out there in the second half a couple times late in the season. Henne could even see a start or two next year. But I believe it is far more likely that he doesn’t attempt a pass at all then that he attempts more than 100. I don’t think he is ready to permanantly grab the job at any point next season. He could be their week 1 starter in 2009 though.
I also agree with Matty that it really is a legit competition. I think McCown is more of a Parcells guy and that he probably has the advantage, but if Beck looks better he will be the starter. I think Poz is right on in saying it makes more sense for Miami to start Beck and see what they’ve got. If McCown wins this job and holds onto it until Henne takes over in a year or two. Beck could spend his career as a backup without ever really getting a chance. Don’t forget that Beck is a mormon and didn’t graduate college until he was 25. He will be 27 years old when the season starts. He is only two years and 5 weeks younger than McCown is.
by kaisertown on May 30, 2008 5:54 PM EDT 0 recs
I think....
a lot of people are underestimating John Beck. He’s the best QB on their roster. He played horribly against us as a rookie, but isn’t it kind of dumb to extrapolate the performance of a rookie to the rest of his career. Beck is a smart QB and an accurate passer, he just needs to get the nerves. Let’s hope the game doesn’t slow down for him anytime soon. If the Dolphins truly do take a dump on him and start McCown, I will be laughing hysterically when McCown starts sucking and the QB carousel gets spinning.
Chad Henne is a scrub. He throws a terrible ball, is not overly accurate, and his arm strength is whatever. He throws the ball into coverage (because he doesn’t read it very well) and is about as immobile as they come. Let’s pray the Dolphins are stupid enough to play him. What the hell does “NFL ready” mean? Because he played for Michigan? You get ready for playing in the NFL by making it to the NFL and working and studying… not by attending a major college program. It’s not like the Big 10 is an elite conference anyway (see Ohio St.). The Dolphins really blew this draft by passing on Brian Brohm, who was the best QB in this class (quote me on that). Matt Ryan is going to fall on his $60 million face.
"I don't agree with a damn thing you say, but I would die for your right to say it."
by ForeignArrow on May 31, 2008 6:17 PM EDT 0 recs
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