|
The Miami Dolphins New Beginning started with a 17-6 exhibition loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday
night at Dolphin Stadium. The defensive starters looked sharp and explosive but the second team and third
stringers really didn’t provide much to cheer about. John Beck started the game and didn’t have any feidler
moments but didn’t really show any improvement. John appeared to have happy feet on a few plays which may be
indicative of the shell shock from last years shelling. When interviewed, he talks about forgetting the past
and getting in the film room and getting ready for the next opportunity but he clearly does seem to have some
ill effects from last years 1-15 pounding. I personally don’t think John Beck will be around much longer and
will be the last piece to be discarded like the last regime.
The summer long three-man competition for the starting quarterback job may turn into a two-man battle for
roster survival between veteran Josh McCown and second year signal caller John Beck. Beck started over McCown
who was No. 1 on the depth chart based on seniority and turned in a decent, yet nondescript effort in his three
series. Head Coach, Tony Soarano said in a radio show following the preseason opener, "We may keep four
quarterbacks," but I believe it may just be posturing to possibly get some type of trade value for either John
Beck or Josh McCown. I really can’t see the team keeping four quarterbacks on the roster when this team needs so
much help in other key positions on this team. I believe the odd man out will be John Beck because in the event
Chad suffers an injury then Josh McCown is the only other quarterback with some real NFL experience.
Chad Pennington will be reunited with Dolphins Vice President of Football Operations Bill Parcells, who
drafted the former Marshall star in the first round in 2000 (18th overall) when he was the Jets' director of
football operations. Pennington also has a connection to Dolphins offensive coordinator Dan Henning, who was his
offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach during his rookie season. It's clear that by bringing in Pennington,
the Dolphins were not satisfied with the three quarterbacks in camp, and he is coming here to start. Pennington is
known for his leadership, intelligence and ability to direct an offense without turning the ball over, an absolute
must when playing for a Parcells' led franchise. He would make an ideal mentor for rookie quarterback Chad Henne,
who has a much stronger arm than Pennington.
|
