Fins' QB battle heating up

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http://www.miamiherald.com/1262/story/610812.html

Fins' QB battle heating up

By BARRY JACKSON
Miami Herald

With Dolphins camp opening next weekend, chatter on a six-pack of competitions for starting jobs:

• Quarterback: Though Josh McCown is considered by many to be the front-runner because of experience, the Dolphins have told NFL people the battle remains competitive with John Beck, and preseason performance will determine the winner. Several players thought McCown was better in May/June drills, but another starter favored Beck. Chad Henne remains an underdog, though nobody would be shocked if he was starting at some point this season.

According to sentiment inside the Dolphins, McCown -- who is OK after his wood-chopping accident -- has impressed with athleticism and mobility. Raiders coach Lane Kiffin loves McCown's ''ability to get away from sacks and make plays.'' Several players raved about his leadership. But as one Dolphins person said, his accuracy must improve.

ESPN.com stats guru K.C.

Joyner tells us McCown made bad decisions (Joyner includes turnovers and near interceptions) on 4.4 percent of passing plays last season -- 40th worst among 43 quarterbacks ranked. (Beck lacked enough attempts to qualify.)

The Dolphins appreciate Beck's tireless offseason work and want to give him a fair chance, but they need to see production in games to remove doubts. Beck had several balls batted down in off-season practices, but he's comfortable with his release point now that it has been changed ``back to the way it was in college.''

Players and coaches love Henne's potential -- ''We've seen the big arm and a pretty calm demeanor,'' coach Tony Sparano said -- but the sentiment is he needs time to develop. Henne said the Dolphins have helped him ''get the ball out faster'' than at Michigan. ''It's taking me 2.8 seconds to get the ball out now'' after the snap, he said.

• Offensive guard position opposite Justin Smiley: One lineman said the unit was most cohesive this offseason with Trey Darilek at that guard spot, but the Dolphins ideally would like him as a top reserve. Steve McKinney (out with an injury in May/June practices) is a strong candidate to fill the job, but the Dolphins are noncommittal about his role.

Shawn Murphy and Donald Thomas enter camp as underdogs to start, though Miami likes both rookies. With Smiley able to play either guard spot, the Dolphins want a veteran on the left side alongside rookie tackle Jake Long and remain open to adding outside help.

• Defensive end spot opposite Vonnie Holliday: Matt Roth is making a strong push to hold on to his job, though Randy Starks was given a big deal (five years, $21 million,

$7 million guaranteed), and the Dolphins like his size (312 pounds). Roth -- who remained ahead of Starks with the first team in offseason work -- bulked up from 272 to 285, and defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers said Roth is now big enough to play end in a 3-4 defense.

Asked who has impressed him most on the team, offensive tackle Vernon Carey said Roth -- ''He really has stepped up his game.'' Rookie Phillip Merling is expected to begin as a backup.

• Tight end: Nobody would be surprised if Anthony Fasano, off a shoulder injury, wins the job -- the Dolphins love his blocking and see receiving ability. (He caught 92 passes in his career at Notre Dame.) ''Fasano improved -- he's going to be a big help for them,'' predicts former Dallas teammate Terrell Owens, who was impressed with Fasano's pass-catching in Cowboys practices.

The Dolphins want to take greater advantage of the downfield receiving skills of incumbent starter David Martin, Fasano's main challenger. That skill appealed to the former Dolphins regime, and yet, according to Joyner, only one of the 48 balls thrown toward Martin in 2007 traveled more than 20 yards (a 28-yard completion).

• Cornerback spot opposite Will Allen: Players say André Goodman looked very good this off-season -- ''He's getting his quickness back and using his hands a lot more,'' receiver Derek Hagan said. Goodman played mostly first-team snaps opposite Allen in May/June work, while Michael Lehan played mostly nickel-back.

But Lehan, a starter most of last year, will challenge Goodman. Off a June ankle injury, Lehan is hopeful he will be ready for the start of camp, his agent's office relayed last week.

• Safety spot opposite Yeremiah Bell: Jason Allen, who got consistent first-team snaps in May/June, enters as the front-runner, but Renaldo Hill (who expects to be 100 percent after last year's knee injury) and Chris Crocker will challenge. Defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni likes what he has seen from Allen: ``Very, very good athlete. He's got a lot of range -- there's a lot of things he could do for you back there.''

Battles also loom at fullback, receiver and elsewhere.