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Title: Dolphins' rookies making their mark Post by: DolFan619 on August 05, 2008, 09:53:20 am http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/football/miami-dolphins/story/629499.html
Dolphins' rookies making their mark BY JEFF DARLINGTON Miami Herald His name was listed near the bottom of the team's first depth chart Monday, because that's where the coaches decided it belongs. His helmet is solid white, absent of the Dolphins logo, because those same coaches want these rookies to deserve that privilege. ''You've got to earn it,'' said rookie defensive end Kendall Langford, a third-round draft pick out of Hampton. ``You can't just come in here and expect anything.'' That's the attitude being drilled into each of the team's eight other draft picks, which was even illustrated at quarterback, where Josh McCown, John Beck and Chad Henne are listed on the new depth chart according to their age. Yet beneath those motivating messages, there's another chunk of reality that is becoming more unavoidable by the day: Miami's 2008 draft class is surging too fast and too hard for anyone to ignore. Take Langford, for example. He's listed as the third left defensive end on that downplayed depth chart, but he's been getting more and more consistent repetitions with the first-team defense. It's a similar scenario for right guard Donald Thomas listed as the backup, but running with the starters. ''Even if they put me back with the second team, I still need to continue to work hard and show them I can play football,'' said Thomas, a sixth-round pick. On Monday, just moments after the team released that first depth chart of training camp, Sparano immediately deflated any belief that it was an actual representation of his impressions from the first week of training camp. QB COMPETITION That's likely because he didn't want anyone to draw conclusions about the placement of McCown's name being atop the quarterback position. But belittling this depth chart is sensible for the sake of those rapidly developing rookies, as well. ''I don't make much of it right now,'' Sparano said. ``It's something that we had to produce and put out there, but that depth chart that you have in your hand won't be the same this [Monday] afternoon let alone [Tuesday].'' Most notably, it's becoming important to watch every repetition taken by Henne, who has been making a solid push in the past few days. As Henne's level of confidence rises, his most experienced competitor is taking notice. ''It's fun to have [Henne] there because he's obviously pushing [me] tremendously,'' McCown said. ``He throws the ball really well. So he makes you, from a passing standpoint, be on your A game. He's pushing the quarterbacks. And he's helping our team by what he's doing.'' It might not be long before Henne's push isn't as much fun for McCown. Monday, Henne said nearly all of the offense has now been installed, leaving only red zone and tight red zone situations to learn. QUICK STUDY Having been in an NFL system the least amount of time, it would make sense that Henne's biggest handicap would be his ability to learn a new offense. With that out of the way, his improvement could begin to build even faster. If McCown or John Beck wants to win the starting role for a full season, at least one needs to make a consistent display of improvement. Otherwise, Henne's growing confidence could be too tough to stop. ''I definitely think my confidence has grown,'' Henne said. ``I'm just getting more reps, getting more familiar with the offense. I think I've been doing pretty well.'' Henne, like his rookie teammates, didn't seem at all bothered by his place on the depth chart. Like Langford, he doesn't have a Dolphins logo on his helmet, either. But that hasn't stopped him from getting repetitions with the first-team offense. Asked when the last time he wasn't listed as the starter, the four-year starter from Michigan had a blank look on his face. ''The bottom of the depth chart?'' Henne said. ``Not that I can remember.'' And maybe, not for much longer. |