So when is a depth chart not really a depth chart? Apparently the Miami Dolphins have the answer.
The Fins have listed Josh McCown as the No. 1 QB in their first preseason depth chart, but coach Tony Sparano says not to read a whole lot into that as he listed quarterbacks based on age, not necessarily performance in training camp, putting McCown, who turned 29 last month, ahead of second-year player John Beck, 26, and rookie Chad Henne, 23.
“It’s something that we had to produce and put out there, so we had to put it out there,” Sparano said. “That depth chart won’t be the same this afternoon, never mind tomorrow, so it’s going to change every single day.”
NFL teams are required to put out their initial depth chart the Monday before the first preseason game. The Dolphins host Tampa Bay at 7:30 Saturday night in both teams’ exhibition opener.
Beck reportedly has struggled the most in camp, with Henne improving daily. McCown has the edge over both because he has started 31 games in the league compared to Beck’s four (all losses last year) and Henne’s none.
Beck was the starter in the team’s scrimmage on Saturday, but he completed only 2-of-5 passes against the first-team defense, 1-of-5 vs. the backups and didn’t get the offense into the end zone. He was the only of the three QBs not to get the offense a touchdown. During one three-series span, Beck, McCown and Henne completed only 2-of-22 throws, and those two were screen passes.
Sparano said nothing would be decided until he sees the quarterbacks in actual game circumstances.
”We’re at a stage where we’re starting to see a little bit of separation at times but it’s not consistent,” Sparano said of the competition. “I feel like we have to get to the games to see what’s happening there. The truth be told I’m really anxious to see it in the game.”
How bad have the Miami QBs been? Miami resorted to working out Quincy Carter, an Arena Football League quarterback who started for the Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets before poor play and drug-related arrests ended his NFL career after the 2004 season. But the Fins wised up and didn’t sign him.
Look for McCown to win the job to open the season but for Henne to be starting by midseason.
