The Dolphins selected Pat White in the second round of the April draft, and immediately, the league's best Wildcat team got better. But in the weeks following the pick, general manager Jeff Ireland hinted that White, a former quarterback at West Virginia, could challenge for the gig in Miami. Whether wishful thinking or strategic PR spin, now, a week into training camp, the depth chart at quarterback is pretty much set. The Miami Herald's Armando Salguero writes that not only is White penciled in for the backup-to-the-backup gig, but Chad Henne isn't close to unseating Chad Pennington.
Yes, Henne is likely to get as much, if not more, playing time in the preseason. But we all know that's to get him ready in case Pennington gets hurt. As for White, he's going to be involved in a package of plays the team will set for him for the regular season. Pass Henne as Jeff Ireland originally suggested he'd be allowed to do? Not happening.Salguero does offer this, though: "I believe [White] is already better than John Beck. Let me repeat that. White is already better than John Beck." Just in case it's not clear, that's a compliment. Salguero continues:
"He has better control of the huddle. He is more mobile than Beck. And, seemingly, more courageous than Beck in that he attacks the defense rather than letting the defense attack him. White is more apt to throw down the field than Beck, who became frustratingly timid with checkdown passes.So for now, we'll have to wait on White, NFL quarterback. And while some fans are eager to usher in the Henne era, it's worth remembering that Pennington had a lot to do with the Dolphins going from one-win outfit in 2007 to AFC East champs a season ago. It may not have looked like it during the playoff game against the Ravens, but according to Football Outsiders, Pennington ranked fifth in value per play among all NFL quarterbacks. Pretty sure Beck and Cleo Lemon weren't making that claim after '07.
Yes, Beck has a better arm and probably always will. But what good is a strong arm if you only use it for 5-yard dump passes?"
No idea how much Pennington has left, but through the first week of training camp it's clear he gives the Dolphins the best chance to be competitive. And the addition of White in the backfield, even as a Wildcat "specialist," only helps.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-09-2009 @ 7:12PM
bigfin501 said...
I think Pat White is a great addition to the Dolphins, and could very well become a starter if he works hard and plays for the love of the game!There are forgotten values on the field and that's what this weekend is all about. The Hall of Fame, which is where you go when spend your career playing for the passion and not the paper.
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8-13-2009 @ 10:31PM
jtambini313 said...
Please bigfin don't think, you will hurt yourself. You think that Pat White is a great addition? Don't make me laugh. Every sports analyst who has seen him in camp all agree that he is one of the most under sized quaterbacks they have ever seen. And so far he has sucked in camp. You are a typical dolphin fan. You all dream and make believe, and then when they flop you run and hide back in the closet. You are all talking big cause of a fluke season. Put a few notches under the belt then talk.
8-10-2009 @ 4:49PM
Andi said...
Pat White was tremendous in college. He put up huge numbers. I hope he does well in the Pros. It's going to be a little tougher to duplicate his college success in the Pros. But this guy is special. He may not make it as a QB but he will be playing some position in the NFL. He is getting a chance play QB in Pre Season and I hope he plays well. But with his over all talent, I think playing wide receiver is an option. As a QB, White is a runner who can pass. The NFL likes pocket passers(who run sometimes). White is another Vick at the QB position. I just wish him the best and if QB is his goal, I hope he becomes a good QB.
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8-11-2009 @ 1:27PM
wvictorson said...
Every day I try to read an article about Pat White. I have followed his successful career and know he will be an NFL star and after a few years he will join the coaching ranks. He is a wonderful person and indeed the "pride of every Mountaineer."
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8-11-2009 @ 2:06PM
Kevin said...
The fin's will repeat as AFC champions. Brady will go down again and the Pat's will just give up. GO DOLPHIN'S!
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9-10-2009 @ 7:34PM
casselberrydale said...
u got that right brother! and to all u patriots fans we are going to whoop u again!!!go MIAMI!
8-14-2009 @ 10:20AM
like277 said...
What is the point in comparing Pat White and John Beck? Beck is not a Dolphin.
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8-14-2009 @ 4:29PM
srboston25 said...
hi guys the dolphins will not win with pennington not the big one winning some games is one thing but the big is another no arm at all we need a big time passer to get over the hill i love the team but would liketo see a change someone that can run and pass and he is not it look at the end of last season he blow up
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8-18-2009 @ 7:27AM
cameljp27 said...
for all of you haters out there...remember this the big tuna can and will put a winning team on the field...look for great things in miami & with chad & chad, i believe if one fails, the other will pick it up and win...SEE YOU IN THE BIG GAME
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8-18-2009 @ 6:40PM
Suzanne said...
Pat White is a competitor and will add to the team in due time. Bill Parcells has a good eye for talent and Pat has talent. I say let him get some playing time and just see what he can do. Go go Pat White. And remember he is always a mountaineer!
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8-18-2009 @ 10:28PM
Cris said...
...Lets not forget that thirty some years ago a Dolphin team went all the way to the "Big One" with an old,gray hair quarterback and a weak arm laim leg backup/starter...they went to the "Big One". No one is compairing the coaching staff but the backfield merits comparison. Now if the defense comes along and the revival of the "Black & Blues Brothers" comes to fruition...you never know stranger things have happen...the 69 Mets for example!
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