Training camp is finally here and FanHouse breaks down the most important position battles heading into the season, team by team.
Under Bill Parcells, the Miami Dolphins are trying to get younger and build from the ground up. There are battles going on everywhere. However, the most impactful (with the most attention) will be the starting quarterback ... where there are three Dolphins fighting for the job.
The candidates are John Beck, Josh McCown and Chad Henne.
Of the three, Henne is the longest shot. He has the least experience and is looked at more as a long(er) term project. He would have to impress mightily to win the job when the season starts, though he may have his shot later in the season.
So, it really breaks down to Beck and McCown. Beck was looked at as the future when he was drafted in the 2nd round last year. Well, that was under a different regime and before Beck looked shaky last season. Still, if Miami is really trying to develop for the future, Beck seems to be a no-brainer*. He seems to have the coaching staff leaning his way and spending a lot of time working with him.
Josh McCown is the most experienced, albeit, not as exciting. The team knows what it will get out of McCown but also knows that he isn't the long term answer at the position. McCown could win the job just because they want a steady presence in the huddle and running the offense which will help further develop everyone else.
There is also this albatross out there which is Brett Favre. I seriously doubt that the Phins go after Favre since the team is going through this youth movement. Bringing him to South Florida accomplishes nothing and would set the franchise back.
And so it goes in Miami ... who has been looking for anyone to hold onto the quarterback spot since Marino retired. From Jay Fiedler, Ray Lucas, Brian Griese and A.J. Feeley ... to Daunte Culpepper, Gus Frerotte and Cleo Lemon ... the Dolphins look like they will add three more names to that list.
