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Title: Beck can't direct a scoring drive in Dolphins' loss Post by: DolFan619 on August 10, 2008, 03:01:17 am http://www.palmbeachpost.com/dolphins/content/sports/epaper/2008/08/09/a1b_dolphins_08101.html
Beck can't direct a scoring drive in Dolphins' loss By EDGAR THOMPSON Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Saturday, August 09, 2008 MIAMI GARDENS — John Beck has been around long enough to see a half-dozen quarterbacks come and go. Now in his second season with the Dolphins, Beck knows he could be the next to go at an increasingly crowded position. "The more that I'm in this business I see more how things are run," Beck, the No. 40 pick in the 2007 draft, said. "You have to be ready for anything." But one thing Beck might not have seen coming following a 17-6 loss to Tampa Bay in the exhibition opener Saturday at Dolphin Stadium was coach Tony Sparano's long-term plan for the team's most important position. "I expect we'll have four quarterbacks for a while," Sparano said a day after adding former New York Jets starter Chad Pennington. "We may keep four quarterbacks. I mean, that's the truth." Four quarterbacks on the roster also would be quite a break from convention. Problem is, the Dolphins had only one Saturday - rookie Chad Henne - who could lead a scoring drive. Henne, Beck and seventh-year pro Josh McCown all played at least one quarter. Each was at times solid. None was spectacular. But only Henne was able to generate any points - field goals of 41 and 49 yards by rookie kicker Dan Carpenter. "Henne made some nice plays out there," Sparano said. Henne, who finished 5-for-10 for 67 yards, made the Dolphins' two most-impressive throws of the night. He had a 20-yard hookup with wide receiver David Kircus over the middle and a 21-yard, third-quarter completion on 3rd-and-18 to rookie Anthony Armstrong. But Henne, who turned 23 last month, admitted to a number of mistakes. "I missed some receivers," he said. "There are different things out there that I can correct. Overall, I thought I did all right." Beck was so-so, finishing 5-for-9 for 45 yards. He failed to put any points on the board during three series in the first quarter. Beck seemed to find his rhythm on his second drive. He strung together threes straight completions, capped by a 10-yard out to Ted Ginn Jr. to move the Dolphins into Bucs territory. But two plays later Beck threw a screen pass at the feet of running back Ronnie Brown even though he had time to find another receiver. Bucs defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson batted down Beck's pass on third down, a recurring problem a season ago for the 6-foot-2 Beck. Beck's next series, a six-play drive that ended in a sack and a his own fumble, would be his last. "Things went all right for the first game of the season," Beck said. "I wanted to put the ball in the end zone. It didn't happen." McCown was just happy for a chance to play. Entering the weekend, he didn't expect to play in a game he'd anticipated for months. McCown had family in the stands and on the field - his brother Luke started at quarterback for the Bucs. Before Pennington's signing, coaches had decided to play Beck during the first and third quarters. Henne was scheduled to play the second and fourth quarters. "All I do is what I'm told," said McCown, who finished 5-for-8 for 35 yards. "They tell me to play and I play. I was ready to roll and did my best." None of the Dolphins quarterbacks had many chances. The Bucs put together clock-devouring drives of 19, 18 and 13 plays, while the Dolphins' offense tried to stay loose on the sideline. The wait gave the quarterbacks a chance to get to know their new teammate. Wearing a Dolphins ball cap and a No. 10 Dolphins jersey, the same number he wore during eight seasons with the Jets, Pennington made the rounds. "He's a very likeable guy and a good guy to be around," McCown said. In the coming days, and maybe weeks, the four quarterbacks are going to be spending a lot of time together. Against each other, too. "I'm no stranger to competition," Pennington said. "I welcome the challenge. I really do." With Henne likely to stay as this year's second-round pick, Beck or McCown would be the odd man out if the Dolphins keep three quarterbacks. Beck knows it's not going to be his decision. "I've learned you just play and they do the rest," he said. "It can sometimes be rough. That's why you have to have faith things are going to work out." |