Some Beck News

by Matt27 on Mar 17, 2008 1:47 PM EDT Comment 37 comments

FLORIDA SPORTS BUZZ
Beck says he is improved, unfazed by QB challengers
Posted on Sun, Mar. 16, 2008
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By BARRY JACKSON
bjackson@MiamiHerald.com

JARED LAZARUS / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Dolphins quarterback John Beck scrambles during the first quarter against the Eagles on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007.
Dolphins' Taylor says he wants to stay
Although Josh McCown said he expects to be the Dolphins' starting quarterback, you won't hear any similar declaration from John Beck. But Beck explained last week why he believes he has improved, and insists he doesn't care if the Dolphins draft a quarterback in the early rounds.

In two months working with new quarterbacks coach David Lee, Beck said he has received more individual coaching on technique than he did all last season.

''It was hard last year because I was the third guy,'' he said. ''Now, it's been nice because we've been able to focus a little bit of time on me. Coach Lee definitely has helped me. I've made a lot of strides since the end of the season in some smaller detailed things'' -- including delivery and footwork.

For weeks, Beck and Lee have been watching Beck's game tape as a teaching tool. Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo credits Lee for his development when they were together in Dallas.

Beck hired a trainer and has gained 11 pounds to 216, his weight last summer. ``When I'm driving, I think about third-and-8, fourth quarter, critical situation against the Jets. Last season was frustrating. That's why four days after the season, I started working for next season.''

Asked if he believes this regime has a favorable impression of him, Beck said, ''I don't know.'' (He said nobody has told him.) He ''chatted a few times'' with Bill Parcells, ``but there hasn't been any discussion of the future. It's just a get-to-know-me, get-to-know-you type deal.''

He said the Dolphins told him they were signing McCown the day it happened but didn't elaborate. McCown was told it will be an open competition, and Beck surmises that.

''The same confidence he has about himself, I have about myself,'' said Beck (62.0 passer rating, one touchdown, three interceptions in five rookie appearances). ``He wants it just as badly as I want it. I heard he's a hard-worker, very athletic guy. Those are the kind of things I feel I bring. If we both [bring] kind of the same thing, what's going to separate us is being smart, making correct decisions, getting out of bad plays.''

Would he feel let down, or a lack of confidence from management, if the Dolphins draft Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan No. 1 or another quarterback in an early round? ''No,'' he insisted. ``The way I am, I couldn't care less.

``When the opportunity comes, I have to strike. I'm not coming in to say I'm shooting to be an average quarterback and I'll be happy with that. I have such a high expectation for myself. I'm trying to be the absolute best I can.''

This fanpost was written by one of The Phinsider's registered users.

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Well.....

I just love this guy's attitude & how he handles himself both publicly & in his preperation to play.

Maybe he's the answer, maybe not... but I hope he is, because he has the class that a leader should have in the NFL.

by davehowardcustom on Mar 17, 2008 2:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The solution for John Beck...

is incredibly simple.

Play....Well.

If his play on the field inspires, produces points, and gets results in the form of victories then he's in the driver's seat.

The dolphins will have a hard time benching Beck quickly, even if they draft Matt Ryan, if Beck is playing well and we are winning games.

If he doesn't play well though or doesn't show himself to be better than McCown, then his career could really be headed south fast.

by Natalya on Mar 17, 2008 2:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Its nice to hear a player say all the right things, but quite frankly I'm tired of hearing it. I wanna see results. He can say anything he wants. He can be "obsessed with football", I really don't care.

If he can't move the team to score points. If he can't hold on to the ball. If he can't beat out a guy like Cleo Lemon for the job, then psh.

Lets not forget, you can have the all the "potential" in the world, but c'mon. Even with the peeps "QB guru" in Cameron, over 1/2 way through the season, Beck couldn't even beat out ---Cleo Lemon--- , yes CLEO LEMON for our QB position. Make all the excuses that you want. Not enough snaps, wasn't handled correctly blah blah blah.

Bottom line: When given the chance he couldn't beat out the likes of a Cleo Lemon. Pro-Beckers, say what you want, I'm not ready to put the faith of my franchise into the hands of a guy that couldn't beat out Cleo Lemon. And if he can't beat out Josh McNown, then we've got nothing to do but sit out another meaningless season until the 2009 draft, where again, we'll refuse to take a QB in the 1st round, then rinse and repeat. Like we've been doing since Marino retired.

"It all starts with the Dolphins," an executive with another team said Sunday, "and not a single person here has any idea what they're going to do."

by Neo on Mar 18, 2008 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Today Is...

...Matty "Ice" Pro Day! :)

by dab415217 on Mar 18, 2008 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's almost like...

The situation that evolved in San Diego where they had Brees who was coming off of an awfull year, and htey drafted Philip Rivers. Imagine if the same thing happened here? We would have two high caliber QB's fighting for the #1 spot!!! That wouldn't be a bad situation i think.

And with the first pick in the 2008 NFL Draft...The Miami Dolphins select...Glenn Dorsey-LSU

by FinzD54 on Mar 17, 2008 3:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

It's never bad to have too many good QB's. I just don't know if Matt Ryan is going to be a good QB. I'd like to stop wasting 2nd round picks on QB's in general. Let's see what we have with Beck first. But I do agree that taking a QB later in this draft is a good idea.

Matt

by Matt27 on Mar 17, 2008 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

for all his pontificating

~In two months working with new quarterbacks coach David Lee, Beck said he has received more individual coaching on technique than he did all last season.~

If there ever was any proof that Cam was clueless, had to get axed, and was maybe the bigest disaster of a coach in miami history (ok maybe wanny gives him a run for the money) then this statement tells all....

Here Cam passes on a first round QB, then drafts his guy as a replacement for the 100 year old injury prone QB he trades for and then we find out Beck gets more coaching in 6? weeks then he received all of last year....

should be a freaking american express comercial...
priceless (and not in a good way)

by W NY Fins Fan on Mar 17, 2008 6:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

couldnt agree anymore

cam cameron ill have to admit is a brilliant play caller. we saw that in the first few games when ronnie brown played. our offense was one of the best in the league. BUT as a head coach he sucks. There are people to blame of course as well. Why wasnt anyone stopping him from destroying the team? i love ted ginn and all buy why would anyone in there right mind draft a player in the first round to be their kick returner. Who would let that happen? i think its great now that our whole organization was basicly reorganized and the legendary bill parcells is making the decisions and not a first time head-coach. uhh back to beck lol: i believe in him and i hope the team is smart enough to start him, ronnie brown will be great for him and take some pressure off him. plus we need to surround him with receivers that will not drop every pass thrown into their hands (marty booker-thank god hes gone,derek hagan-hope hes improved). i think we shouldnt draft a qb this year because we are rebuilding and need to use all our draft picks to plug up all the wholes we werent able to fill up in the FA : o-line, defensive backs, widereceivers, def tackles, etc.

John Beck + Lorenzo Booker + Ted Ginn Jr= SUPERBOWL IS NEAR!

by NeverSellout on Mar 17, 2008 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

looks like beck is beginning to see the writing

...beck is aware that he is not really in BP's plans. BP hasn't told him that he is "convinced" that he will win the job...only that "we will sign mcCown, today and there will be an open competition at QB next season..." bye, bye, beck! matt ryan, c'mon down!

by mred on Mar 17, 2008 7:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i'm not sure

how you got that from this article... but ooookay.

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants.

by NumberSeven on Mar 17, 2008 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't worry

This guy wants to date Matt Ryan.

by Offer Doll on Mar 17, 2008 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

At least in public...

nobody has said anything to the effect of an endorsement....or a condemnation of Beck. In effect, he seems to be on an island.

I suspect though that he understands that this year is pivotal for him. If he can't beat out McCown, much less play well, then he may be looking at being a career backup very, very soon.

I think the market for unproven (re: virtually rookie) QB's, is not exactly budding.

by Natalya on Mar 18, 2008 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Particularly...

the 27 year old variety :O

by Natalya on Mar 18, 2008 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed, but I still think it is unfair to pass

judgement on Beck at this point in time, based upon last year. I think Beck has a ton of upside, and yes, "potential is just potential until it's realized". But let's be fair, Cameron royally screwed things up last year, including the QB situation.

In tennis, the area of the court called "no-man's land" is the area between playing the baseline and the net. It is an area of non-commitment, and you will get killed there. That is where Cam got stuck with his QBs last year. He was going to hold Beck in reserve because he believed playing him too early would impair his development. So he committed to not effectively preparing Beck to start. But then Cam realized the ship was sinking and threw Beck in without a good line or running game, and after getting rid of Chambers. He didn't make the commitment to prepare Beck to start early in the season, and he didn't stick by his decision to hold Beck in reserve for the season. He was wishy washy and got caught between the baseline and the net, and Beck got killed.
While Lemon played marginally better than Beck, he was better prepared and had more experience, and that was the difference maker.
I know there are a lot of question marks attached to Beck, but I am really anxious to see what he can do with a decent line, and decent running game, and decent preparation and coaching. He might still turn out to be very good. I think it ridiculous for anyone to write him off based on last season.
IMO

by LeftCoastFinFan on Mar 18, 2008 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Keep your hopes up

Maybe one day Matt Ryan will return your calls, maybe that baby you've been carrying is really his.

by Patssuck456 on Mar 19, 2008 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Like John Beck...

...but even if they don't bring another QB in that has the ability to start right away, Josh McCown will push him. If Beck doesn't play well right off the bat, McCown will beat him out. I caught a Raider replay on NFL Network the other day. It was against the Broncos, and McCown played well even though he was slowed by an ankle sprain and a hurt finger. Not having paid that much attention to him before, I watched him closely in this game. He moves well and throws pretty accurately on the run. He a has a pretty strong arm also.

Beck will need to play well in order to beat out McCown.

by dab415217 on Mar 18, 2008 7:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

really

the one nice thing i can say about mccown is that the mountain beck has to climb to (cough) win the starting job is really pretty much concave!!!

lets take a little look at mr mccowns basic numbers....

44 games 40 ints and 39 FREAKING FUMBLES

by W NY Fins Fan on Mar 19, 2008 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And How Many Times Did Beck Fumble...

...last year?

What did Beck prove last year? That he is far and away a better QB than McCown? Listen, I wish he would have, but he didn't. Blindly going in and giving the job to a guy who proved nothing is what gets GM's and Coaches fired.

That being said, I HOPE that Beck turns into what the last regime thought he could be. And if he doesn't, McCown is a better QB than Cleo Lemon.

by dab415217 on Mar 20, 2008 8:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well

beck has played 4 games and mccown 44... so which player do you think has proven his true form....
McCown has had his chances and has struck out across the board.

Now beck might not be any better then mccown, but you have to give him a shot to achieve something before you toss him on the heap of post marino disasters...

by W NY Fins Fan on Mar 20, 2008 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

McCown is a backup

No one wants to see McCown starting, and if we start the year off with him in the pocket we're in huge trouble. That said I do agree that he's a good backup, I'd take him over Cleo Lemon because I think he'll mesh with the team better. Beck is the future for now.

by Offer Doll on Mar 20, 2008 1:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Beck continues to play

like he did last year, I want to see McCown starting.

"It all starts with the Dolphins," an executive with another team said Sunday, "and not a single person here has any idea what they're going to do."

by Neo on Mar 20, 2008 7:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Amen to That.

If Beck doesn't win the starting job this year barring the Dolphins drafting Matt Ryan, then its pretty clear he will be a career back-up.

This is the ONLY reason I do not like the choice of Beck. His age means that he doesn't have the time to develop that a 22 or 23 yr old QB does.

I have been a Dolphin fan since 1970. I PRAY that Beck is a good QB. However, as of yet, he hasn't proven that.

As Neo said, if he comes out and plays like he did last year, McCown will end up the starter.

by dab415217 on Mar 20, 2008 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

dude, how can he possibly play as poorly as last

year?

I usually respect your football opininion, even when I don't agree with it. But I have not seen you even acknowledge that Beck got a raw deal last year. You keep talking about him like the kid had his tryout and failed.

Give him a break. He had CamCam calling the shots. The only person that looked good was Ronnie BTI. No prep, idiotic play calling, poor timing on when to insert him as a starter, patchwork O-line.

In no way am I convinced Beck is going to be a good QB, but there is no rational way you can conclude that he isn't, either. Not from what we saw last year.

by LeftCoastFinFan on Mar 20, 2008 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Left...

Let's put aside the coaching staff and circumstances last year and consider production. We can speculate all we want about how much cam or his teammates played into Beck's problems but the bottom line here is what he does on the field this year.

If Beck completes 56% of his passes, fumbles often, and throws three times as many interceptions as touchdowns (all like last year) then he's going to be on the bench while McCown starts.

Beck will be in his second year, and 27 for that matter. At this point, he's got to show some real improvement over last season. he doesn't have to be a star, but he has to show some real evidence that he can be the guy. otherwise, his NFL career will quickly point him in the direction of being a backup.

by Natalya on Mar 20, 2008 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right On the Money, Nat.

None of us here are rooting for beck to fail, I believe. We all want Beck to turn out to be a good QB...even those of us that want to draft Matt Ryan. :) However, we can't blindly just BELIEVE he's going to do it, without having a backup plan. I believe our backup plan this year (McCown) is much better than our backup plan last year (Lemon).

Ok, I'll say it, "Go John Beck!"

~whispers under breath~

"Draft Matt Ryan, please."

by dab415217 on Mar 20, 2008 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

of course.

that goes without saying.

but my point WAS the coaching staff and circumstances last year, not what Beck needs to do to improve.

My point was simply that is not reasonable to use last year as the basis to form an opinion about Beck. We have Cam to think for that.

As I said, I am not a Beck junkie... I am simply stating that, reasonably, he should still be considered an "unknown quantity".

Do you disagree with this?

by LeftCoastFinFan on Mar 20, 2008 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

nat but

what would turning to mccown do??? if beck plays exactly like last year... then you already have mccown... a terrible QB.

think of carson palmers first year ... he was TERRIBLE the first 10 or 12 games.... and it wasnt until the last 3 or 4 before he did anything and then season two he started to shine...

If beck gets off to a poor start they have to take their lumps or it's time to just move on to whomever they draft.

by W NY Fins Fan on Mar 20, 2008 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Real Question Is....

...how patient do you think the Parcells regime will be with Beck? It matters none what we think. I'll bet Beck doesn't get half a season if he doesn't improve significantly over last year. And guess what? He's already 27 years old. That means he doesn't get 2-3 years to grow into the role, like a 23 year old QB does.

by dab415217 on Mar 20, 2008 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I bet he does.

I bet he gets at least half a season if he shows any kind of improvement from game to game.

The one thing these guys running the show do seem to know how to do is look at the big picture and exercise patience in working toward it.

by LeftCoastFinFan on Mar 21, 2008 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

so what do they do???

ok - here's the scenario and it's certainly possible?? even likely????

They give beck the day 1 job.... with a patch work o line in front of him.... he comes out and plays like cleo did last season.... for the first 6 games.

do you stick with beck, do you bench him for mccown, or do you turn over the team to the just drafted rookie who hasn't had snaps cause mccown is the back up - (same situation as beck last season)

You have to stick with Beck. 6,8, or 10 games isn't enough to judge him, and turning to mccown isn't going to do anything (he's older then beck and he's a proven disaster) other then saying the post marino QB situation has been postponed/prolonged another season.

So what role does mccown serve on this team, other then as an obstacle to finding a permanent QB?

by W NY Fins Fan on Mar 21, 2008 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here's the purpose that McCown serves...

and actually there are several.

1 - competition at least for beck. that's a big motivator for a player is knowing he's not being handed the job. when you have someone behind you who will take your job if you don't perform then you are a lot more likely to do your best.

2 - mentoring young players including beck. McCown has started plenty of games and though he's been not so good, he does have experience. something beck (and ryan or any other rookie would have) can benefit from

3 - simply because you can't just quit the season when your starter goes down, so you need a good backup. witness what happened last year in washington. campbell goes down and everyone thinks the 'skins are out of the playoff hunt. todd collins comes in, they win several games in a row and make the playoffs. compare that with what happened in carolina s well as here in miami, when the starter went down.

you need a proven backup, whether it is mccown or culpepper or todd collins or volek, etc.

by Natalya on Mar 22, 2008 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right.... backup!

The only way McCown gets to play is if Beck gets injured, or they completely give up on him.

McCown did not come here to "mentor" Beck, and knowing that he is young and still expecting to earn a starting job, I would be surprised if McCown would want to mentor Beck.

I do think the competition aspect is important though.

by LeftCoastFinFan on Mar 22, 2008 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

BECK WILL BE FINE!

YOU GUYS ARE TALKING CRAZY STUFF! BECK STARTED 5 GAMES LAST YEAR IN SOME VERY TOUGH PLACES TO PLAY IN THE NFL. WOULD YOU EXPECT ANY ROOKIE TO DO WELL AT PHILI ? PITT? GET SERIOUS. BECK PLAYED AS A ROOKIE ON THE WORST TEAM IN THE NFL LAST YEAR. NO ONE COMES TO MINE THAT PLAYED GREAT OR EVEN GOOD LAST YEAR FOR THE DOLPHINS SO TO EVEN SAY BECK ISN'T THE GUY IS MORONIC. I REMEMBER SEVERAL QB'S (PAYTON, PALMER ELI, ELWAY, KELLY, ECT... EVEN FARVE WAS A THIRD STRINGER IN ATLANTA FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS BEFORE HE GOT TRADED TO G.B.) NOT TO MENTION ABOUT THIS AGE THING BUT HOW OLD IS FARVE COMING OFF ONE OF THE BEST SEASONS OF HIS CAREER. AGE IS NO WHERE AS IMPORTANT TO A QB THEN A RB OR ANY OTHER POSITION ON THE FIELD. SO PEOPLE WHEN YOUR GOING TO TALK CRAP KNOW WHAT YOUR TALKING ABOUT. BY THE WAY THE WAY I BET MY LEFT NUT THE DOLPHINS DON'T PICK A QB EARLY THIS YEAR.

BO KNOWS NFL FOOTBALL

by BO KNOWS on Mar 22, 2008 5:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs