Dolphins' Beck, Lemon getting equal chance at QB
Rookie John Beck's chances of becoming starting quarterback grew more evident when coach Cam Cameron said he was giving the young player the same time in practice as Cleo Lemon.
Posted on Thu, Nov. 01, 2007
BY JEFF DARLINGTON
HECTOR GABINO/EL NUEVO HERALD
John Beck, left, and Cleo Lemon are getting equal time in practice to prove they deserve to start against the Bills on Nov. 11.Dolphins coach Cam Cameron came cryptically close Wednesday to opening up a full-on quarterback competition between current starter Cleo Lemon and rookie John Beck, noting that both players are now splitting nearly equal time during practice with the first-team offense.
While Cameron still mostly bounced around the topic of potentially playing Beck on Nov. 11 -- which is the team's next game after this week's bye -- the coach made it clear that Beck will get plenty of chances to win the job before then.
Cameron said he met with both quarterbacks to notify them of his decision to ''balance the reps out,'' meaning they will each get to run 50 percent of the plays in practice. After Wednesday's workout, the team will not practice again until Monday.
''We're going to play the guy that gives us the best chance to win each week,'' Cameron said. ``That's what I believe.''
At this point, the reviews of Beck during practice have all been positive. He is performing well in practice, and he has shown the clear passion to put all of the necessary time into becoming a fixture on the team. Asked how he'll spend the next four days off, Beck said, ``I'm definitely going to try to study and prepare myself.''
LEMON'S SITUATION
Lemon isn't backing down, of course. But he also said he understands the current situation -- and he understands he needs to step up his game if Beck's seemingly inevitable rise to the starting position is going to be delayed any longer.
''It's the nature of the business,'' Lemon said. ``You come to work and try to get it done, and if you don't get it done there might be other options out there available, so you've just got to take the good with the bad and keep plugging away.''
Lemon's realization is based on the fact that he has fumbled three times while throwing four interceptions. While he has also made some solid decisions at times -- and although he has been put in very tough situations -- that might not be enough to give him a longer leash.
''I think Cleo is well aware, just like I am, that the focus when you're not winning gets placed on the head coach and the starting quarterback,'' Cameron said. ``That's a new experience for him. We aren't even 48 hours from being back from London yet. You've got to go back and then look at it. You're always looking for ways to get better, and the quarterback position is no different.''
FULL STORY
Dolphins' Beck, Lemon getting equal chance at QB - 11/01/2007 - MiamiHerald.com
Dolphins' Beck, Lemon getting equal chance at QB
Dolphins' Beck, Lemon getting equal chance at QB
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