McCown and Beck left to watch and wonder

[DolFan619]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/miamidolphins/entries/2008/08/13/mccown_and_beck_left_watch_and.html

McCown and Beck left to watch and wonder

By Edgar Thompson | Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 09:00 AM

For two practices on Tuesday, quarterbacks Josh McCown and John Beck stood off to the side and watched the Dolphins’ present - Chad Pennington - and future - Chad Henne - handle all the snaps during team drills.

The question for McCown and Beck is who’ll soon become a part of the Dolphins’ past?

The two-man QB rotation likely won’t change as coaches look to bring Pennington up to speed and develop Henne as quickly as possible.

Coach Tony Sparano said he hasn’t decided how he’ll use his QBs during Saturday’s pre-season game at Jacksonville. It’s hard to believe McCown and Beck will get more than a series, if that.

The notion of keeping four QBs isn’t worth discussing, even if Sparano won’t dismiss it. No one buys the idea of Miami keeping that many QBs, though the Dolphins sure hope a possible training partner might.

For the time being, McCown and Beck will stand off to the side in limbo and wait for their NFL futures to play out.

If the team decides it needs a veteran QB with NFL experience, McCown will get the nod. If the team feels like it can afford to develop another young QB, it’ll go with Beck.

Given Pennington’s injury history, the decision could come down to how Henne performs.

Pennington, 32, has made it through a full 16-game season only once (2006) in eight seasons. The odds are someone else is going to have to step and start some games in some point.

If coaches feel Henne won’t be ready, McCown, who has 31 NFL starts, is more valuable than Beck, who remains a developmental player. If Henne continues to impress, coaches can nurture Beck and decide what to do with him down the road.

Based on Henne’s struggles on Tuesday, including a 1-of-8 stretch during 11-on-11, McCown had a better day.

The financial ramifications aren’t crippling in either scenario, though it’s another example of how this franchise wastes money.

McCown signed a two-year deal in March that included $2.5 million in guaranteed money. Beck, the No. 40 pick in 2007, signed a four-year deal with $2.25 million in guaranteed money, which should leave the team on the hook for three quarters of that, or $1.68 million.

With such a golden parachute, either player will manage. But lives also will be impacted.

McCown, 29, has a wife and four children. Playing for his fourth team in four seasons, McCown moved to South Florida with two unsold homes (in California and Detroit). He bought another one, believing he had a future here.

Beck, who turns 27 next week, has a pregnant wife and a young boy.

But sometime between now and Aug. 30, when teams slash their rosters to 53 players, either McCown or Beck will be gone.

For now, each can do nothing but stand there and wait to find out who it’ll be.

[StL FinFan]

Cut both of them and go with 2 quarterbacks.

[yuppi]

BYE BECK

[StL FinFan]

If they only cut one, it will be McCown.

[Sunstroke]

If Miami thinks THEY have QB issues, try being a 49ers fan. JT O'Sullivan is getting the majority of the first team snaps, and it's anyone's guess whether it will be O'Sullivan, Alex Smith or Shaun Hill who starts in week one.

[Dolphin-UK]

If Miami thinks THEY have QB issues, try being a 49ers fan. JT O'Sullivan is getting the majority of the first team snaps, and it's anyone's guess whether it will be O'Sullivan, Alex Smith or Shaun Hill who starts in week one.

I hear Daunte Culpepper is availible

[Sunstroke]

I hear Daunte Culpepper is availible  

You don't understand...it isn't as if none of the three QBs are performing well in camp. ALL are performing well in camp.

I still think Alex will be under center in week one though.

[Philly Fin Fan]

Cut both of them and go with 2 quarterbacks.

I've actually been thinking that may be an option.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

I've actually been thinking that may be an option.

It would free a roster spot, but who would they designate as the "emergency QB" in case both Chad's go down in a game? 

[doctord56]

It would free a roster spot, but who would they designate as the "emergency QB" in case both Chad's go down in a game? 

Jayson Foster, if he makes the team, played QB in college. However, he's looking very practice squadish.

[DolFan619]

Jayson Foster, if he makes the team, played QB in college. However, he's looking very practice squadish.

 Ted Ginn Jr. played quarterback in high school. He's taken snaps in practice as an emergency quarterback.

[Philly Fin Fan]

Although the thought of cutting them both went thru my head and is an option, I realistically think they will cut Beck. They paid a lot of money to McCown. If they cut him, its admitting a mistake. By cutting Beck, they don't have to take any responsibility, since they didn't draft him.

[StL FinFan]

So they are going to keep the worse player to save face?  Oh that gives me a great sense of security. 

[tubba marxxx]

they'll cut both mccown and beck....then sing quincy carter to be the 3rd string qb....haha

[Thundergod]

But lives also will be impacted.

McCown, 29, has a wife and four children. Playing for his fourth team in four seasons, McCown moved to South Florida with two unsold homes (in California and Detroit). He bought another one, believing he had a future here.

Beck, who turns 27 next week, has a pregnant wife and a young boy.

   Boo freakin' hoo! They'll find a spot on another roster somewhere in the NFL. Get back to me when they're making $8.50/hr.  Pfff