How should QB's split time in preseason games?

by Natalya on Aug 4, 2008 12:54 PM EDT

We are in the home stretch now and rapidly approaching the first preseason game. After all the scrimmages and practices, we'll be able to see this group get on the field against a real opponent - albeit, in a game that doesn't count.

Sure I know we have a few more days of practice, but I doubt there will be a great deal of change in the QB 'rankings' (assuming the coaches are ranking them).

Here's the question...

How do all of you think the QB's should be given playing time? Who gets how much playing time and when? Who starts?

Do you have a rotation? Alternate individual series? Give a guy a certain quarter or half?

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I'd keep the playing time even...

at least until somebody starts to stand out, then obviously id give the 1st team snaps to whoever that was. But as it is now, keep giving everyone the same opportunities.

by David Dwork on Aug 4, 2008 1:13 PM EDT reply actions

A half

I would give the Beck and McCown both a half to work with. They need to be able to get into a rhythm. I don’t see how a new unit can gel in just one or two series.

by dal on Aug 4, 2008 1:13 PM EDT reply actions

Give all 3 at least a quarter in the first game.

We need to have our QB picked by the 2nd game IMO. As well as our offensive line.

by joel311 on Aug 4, 2008 1:20 PM EDT reply actions

Equal time

with equal qtrs so that each would play against 1st teams of the opposing defense. Ex: Let Beck start the 1st qtr, McCown the 2nd qtr, Henne the 3rd in the 1st preseason game. Then the second game McCown the 1st qtr, Henne the 2nd, Beck the 3rd. Finally the 3rd game, let Henne start the 1st, Beck the 2nd, McCown the 3rd. This way each gets a look at the other 1st, 2nd, 3rd teamers. In the final preseason game, put your best offensive group (including QB) for the 1st qtr. (and cut Beck afterwards….....j/k)

Are you picking up what I'm putting down?

by Neo on Aug 4, 2008 1:32 PM EDT reply actions

I guess the difficulty I see with this plan Neo is...

again, using your example:

First preseason game, Beck does poorly in the first quarter (against 1st team D), McCown does OK (against 2nd team D), Henne does great in the 3rd/4th quarter(s) (against practice squad material).

How do you weigh all that? After the first 3 games, how would you determine which guy starts? Do you just look at each QB’s play against 1st team D’s?

What about alternating series?

by Natalya on Aug 4, 2008 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I know but,

If you alternate series the QB doesn’t have time to get into a rhythm.

Not saying my is perfect, but it would be what I would do.

Are you picking up what I'm putting down?

by Neo on Aug 4, 2008 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Cool...

any predictions on who actually starts? (regular season I mean)

by Natalya on Aug 4, 2008 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions

agreed

I think alternating series isn’t a good way to go about it.

But I do also think that Neo’s way would take too long, as they hoped to have a QB identified by the 3rd preseason game.

If you ask me, I’d let Beck play the 1st half of preseason game #1, with McCown playing the 3rd quarter and Henne the 4th. Then I’d let McCown play the 1st half of preseason game #2, with Beck playing the 3rd and Henne the 4th. Then I’d let the better of the two (McCown/Beck) start the 3rd game and play 3 quarters. If he plays well enough in that 3rd game, he’s your man. I think Henne is the odd man out for now. Let him sit this year and don’t rush him. I’d say move him up to #2 QB, though, by midseason and then, if you want to throw Henne in a game in December, give him a full week’s practice as the unquestioned #1 QB so he an get reps. None of that splitting reps crap once the season starts like last year.

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by Matty I on Aug 4, 2008 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Give the Ball to Henne

Since we all know that he’s eventually going to be the starting QB and the other 2 will be ‘caretaker’ QB’s at best, then lets give the 1st team snaps for the first 2 games to Henne. If he performs, viola, we have are starter, if he struggles, then give it to the caretaker who does the best in practice, until Henne’s ready.

by W NY Fins Fan on Aug 4, 2008 11:09 PM EDT reply actions

I sort of agree.

I say let Henne and Beck both start for one half of the preseason game. It is their jobs to take, not McCown’s to lose. If they both perform poorly, then McCown will be the starter.

by joel311 on Aug 5, 2008 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions

I've alluded to this before...

As far as McCown goes, the preseason numbers are irrelevant. The guy, after several years in the league, is a pretty known quantity. If he starts then I think most of us know what to expect….a 56%ish completion rate, with say 10-12 TD’s,, and 15 INT’s or so. He’ll be good one game, then so-so the next, the bad for two games, then repeat.

So at this point I’d say that either Henne or Beck show they can potentially be better than McCown and you start one of the two OR neither one shows they are as good and then you go with McCown and try again next year.

by Natalya on Aug 5, 2008 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

We know one thing

for sure. We know Henne will be on the Dolphin roster next year (2009). We can’t say that about Beck and McCown. The biggest question mark for next year is Beck. To answer that question, we need to get a “once and for all” determination on him. The only way to do this is to give him the best shot possible. That being said, start Beck and give him the first two halves of the first two preseason games. If he is doing well (or as well as the others) he should be the starter. If not, then we sit him and play McCown to start the season, preparing Henne for the long term.

by Thruthickandt on Aug 6, 2008 9:33 AM EDT reply actions