Flo-Rida
11-13-2007, 02:41 PM
DOLPHINS
Beck's chance looms closer
Coach Cam Cameron is evaluating QBs Cleo Lemon and John Beck, and will name a starter Wednesday.
Posted on Tue, Nov. 13, 2007Digg del.icio.us AIM reprint print email
BY JEFF DARLINGTON
[email protected]
JOE RIMKUS JR. / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
"We're not that far removed from the [Bills] game,'' Cameron said, explaining why he wanted more time before making his decision. "Our staff will go back through the tape again [Monday night] and get a chance to reflect on it [Tuesday] and we'll know by Wednesday what direction we're going."
Dolphins' Taylor, Thomas stay positive
Anything is better than 0-16
When a charity event hosted by linebacker Zach Thomas ended Monday evening, Dolphins quarterback John Beck headed back to his home in Weston, where he planned to spend the night just as he always does.
He would start studying film of Miami's next opponent -- this time the Eagles -- who will play host to the Dolphins on Sunday. He'd begin planning the approach he would take if he were, for whatever reason, called upon to enter the game.
''Like Coach always says,'' Beck said, ``the backup quarterback is always one play away.''
No, John. This time, you might only be one day away.
Coach Cam Cameron advised both his quarterbacks Monday that he is devoting considerable time into evaluating them before coming to a decision about who would start in Philadelphia.
He also planned to meet with current starter Cleo Lemon and Beck Tuesday, advising reporters Monday during a news conference that he would then announce his decision Wednesday afternoon.
''We're not that far removed from the [Bills] game,'' Cameron said, explaining why he wanted more time before making his decision. ``Our staff will go back through the tape again [Monday night] and get a chance to reflect on it [Tuesday] and we'll know by Wednesday what direction we're going.''
SIGNS POINT TO BECK
The two-day hesitation -- rather than immediately endorsing Lemon -- suggests this could be the week Beck gets named the starter. Either way, it is certainly enough to display Cameron's continued contemplation about when to launch his rookie's inevitable promotion.
So is there any reason to believe this won't be the week based on Cameron's indecisiveness Monday?
''I'm never going to look too much into things,'' said Beck, who was attending Thomas' Kids-and-Fins Publix Shopping Spree in Fort Lauderdale with dozens of other Dolphins players. ``Coach Cameron is going to make the best decision for this team. And whatever it is, we all support it.''
This might sound like old news to some, considering Cameron similarly waited a week after the team's trip to London before announcing that Lemon would remain the starter.
However, despite the perception that Cameron had previously opened up a competition by splitting practice repetitions between Beck and Lemon, the reality inside the Dolphins facility was far different. Nobody ever expected Beck to start.
This time, several things have changed, making it far more realistic for a switch.
''Over the last couple of weeks, as I've stood on the sideline watching the games, it's been a different feeling,'' Beck said. ``I know everything so much better now.''
That's because Beck has now spent each of the team's three heavy practices in the past two weeks handling 50 percent of the repetitions with the first-team offense. He also spent two other light practices splitting time with Lemon, including 7-on-7 drills Monday.
''In the past, I would prepare by studying our plays at night, but I'd run the other team's plays [during practice] as the scout team quarterback,'' Beck said.
MORE REPETITIONS
Five practices might not sound like much, but considering Beck had rarely run a play with anyone other than the scout team for the season's first eight weeks, those repetitions represent a considerable change.
And because Lemon also has yet to show an overwhelming amount of progress as the starter, Cameron isn't necessarily gambling with prematurely benching him. Lemon didn't lose Sunday's game for the Dolphins -- but he also wasn't able to win it, either.
An 18-play, 80-yard TD drive at the end of the third quarter could be Lemon's best argument for maintaining his job as the Dolphins search for a win. Still, there also were some key missed throws on other drives that could counter his effort.
As a result, Cameron will spend hours Tuesday deciding whether to answer Sunday's chants to play Beck. And the rookie quarterback? He'll keep doing what he's doing. He'll practice. And he'll prepare.
''The coach is the one in charge of all the decisions,'' Beck said. ``We leave it up to him. I worry about my job. When it's said and done, then it's said and done. And we'll move on from there.''
Beck's chance looms closer
Coach Cam Cameron is evaluating QBs Cleo Lemon and John Beck, and will name a starter Wednesday.
Posted on Tue, Nov. 13, 2007Digg del.icio.us AIM reprint print email
BY JEFF DARLINGTON
[email protected]
JOE RIMKUS JR. / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
"We're not that far removed from the [Bills] game,'' Cameron said, explaining why he wanted more time before making his decision. "Our staff will go back through the tape again [Monday night] and get a chance to reflect on it [Tuesday] and we'll know by Wednesday what direction we're going."
Dolphins' Taylor, Thomas stay positive
Anything is better than 0-16
When a charity event hosted by linebacker Zach Thomas ended Monday evening, Dolphins quarterback John Beck headed back to his home in Weston, where he planned to spend the night just as he always does.
He would start studying film of Miami's next opponent -- this time the Eagles -- who will play host to the Dolphins on Sunday. He'd begin planning the approach he would take if he were, for whatever reason, called upon to enter the game.
''Like Coach always says,'' Beck said, ``the backup quarterback is always one play away.''
No, John. This time, you might only be one day away.
Coach Cam Cameron advised both his quarterbacks Monday that he is devoting considerable time into evaluating them before coming to a decision about who would start in Philadelphia.
He also planned to meet with current starter Cleo Lemon and Beck Tuesday, advising reporters Monday during a news conference that he would then announce his decision Wednesday afternoon.
''We're not that far removed from the [Bills] game,'' Cameron said, explaining why he wanted more time before making his decision. ``Our staff will go back through the tape again [Monday night] and get a chance to reflect on it [Tuesday] and we'll know by Wednesday what direction we're going.''
SIGNS POINT TO BECK
The two-day hesitation -- rather than immediately endorsing Lemon -- suggests this could be the week Beck gets named the starter. Either way, it is certainly enough to display Cameron's continued contemplation about when to launch his rookie's inevitable promotion.
So is there any reason to believe this won't be the week based on Cameron's indecisiveness Monday?
''I'm never going to look too much into things,'' said Beck, who was attending Thomas' Kids-and-Fins Publix Shopping Spree in Fort Lauderdale with dozens of other Dolphins players. ``Coach Cameron is going to make the best decision for this team. And whatever it is, we all support it.''
This might sound like old news to some, considering Cameron similarly waited a week after the team's trip to London before announcing that Lemon would remain the starter.
However, despite the perception that Cameron had previously opened up a competition by splitting practice repetitions between Beck and Lemon, the reality inside the Dolphins facility was far different. Nobody ever expected Beck to start.
This time, several things have changed, making it far more realistic for a switch.
''Over the last couple of weeks, as I've stood on the sideline watching the games, it's been a different feeling,'' Beck said. ``I know everything so much better now.''
That's because Beck has now spent each of the team's three heavy practices in the past two weeks handling 50 percent of the repetitions with the first-team offense. He also spent two other light practices splitting time with Lemon, including 7-on-7 drills Monday.
''In the past, I would prepare by studying our plays at night, but I'd run the other team's plays [during practice] as the scout team quarterback,'' Beck said.
MORE REPETITIONS
Five practices might not sound like much, but considering Beck had rarely run a play with anyone other than the scout team for the season's first eight weeks, those repetitions represent a considerable change.
And because Lemon also has yet to show an overwhelming amount of progress as the starter, Cameron isn't necessarily gambling with prematurely benching him. Lemon didn't lose Sunday's game for the Dolphins -- but he also wasn't able to win it, either.
An 18-play, 80-yard TD drive at the end of the third quarter could be Lemon's best argument for maintaining his job as the Dolphins search for a win. Still, there also were some key missed throws on other drives that could counter his effort.
As a result, Cameron will spend hours Tuesday deciding whether to answer Sunday's chants to play Beck. And the rookie quarterback? He'll keep doing what he's doing. He'll practice. And he'll prepare.
''The coach is the one in charge of all the decisions,'' Beck said. ``We leave it up to him. I worry about my job. When it's said and done, then it's said and done. And we'll move on from there.''