McCown Dolphins' No. 1 QB, for now
A laughing Josh McCown burst past a gaggle of little kids in a race across the field following Monday evening’s practice, not giving an inch despite his obvious height and age advantage.
Earlier, Dolphins coach Tony Sparano released the first depth chart of the preseason, as per NFL rules, and once again McCown was ahead of his slightly younger rivals, quarterbacks’ John Beck and Chad Henne. Once again, McCown, 29, was leading because of his age and more significantly due to his six years of NFL experience to one for Beck, 26, and none for Henne, 23, the blossoming second-round pick out of Michigan.
"The quarterback race was done by seniority,"
Sparano said. "The depth chart is something that I know [the media] will probably make a lot of, but I don’t make much of it right now. It’s something that we had to produce and put out there so we put it out there, but that depth chart that you have in your hand won’t be the same this afternoon, never mind tomorrow."
To emphasize his point, Sparano had Henne work with the first-team offense against the first-team defense in both practices, the first time any of the three quarterbacks had done that since camp opened 10 days ago.
"I think I’ve been doing pretty well,"
said Henne, who downplayed his all-day sessions with the projected starters. "I’m being consistent out there and not making many errors."
McCown, the preseason No. 1 in Oakland last year, started the first three games before injuries sent him to the sidelines. So he knows how fleeting any depth chart can be. He’s also quite aware of an improving Henne nipping at his cleats.
"I think he’s throwing the ball extremely well and playing well enough to beat anybody,"
McCown said. "It’s fun to have him there because obviously he’s pushing myself tremendously."
McCown realizes that Saturday’s exhibition opener against the Bucs will carry far more weight than last Saturday’s controlled scrimmage in which Henne outplayed McCown and a struggling Beck.
"I’ve been places where it’s changed all together so you can’t read anything into it,"
McCown said. "Just go out and play and as it gets closer things will start to solidify itself."
"People call it an exhibition or glorified practice ... at the end of the day as a competitor you want to win whether you’re racing kids or whatever you’re doing."
Beck enjoyed his finest moments as a pro in the preseason last year, directing two comeback victories. He has been pressing, but he knows one hot series under the lights Saturday could do wonders for his confidence and depth chart status.
"It will be great to have that game atmosphere, but most importantly, it will be great to play against someone other than ourselves,"
Beck said.
Sparano also had Ted Ginn Jr., and Ernest Wilford penciled in as his starting receivers, but on Monday, there was Derek Hagan was taking tosses with the first team, and Wilford demoted to the second team.
"Nothing’s set in stone,"
said Wilford, the veteran amidst a young receivers’ corps who has been conspicuously missing in the passing game. "The depth chart is no issue. Just come out here and play ball."
Sparano also had rookies — right guard Donald Thomas and left defensive end Kendall Langford — with the first team Monday, but had them listed second and third, respectively, on the depth chartthat is one key away from the delete button.
"Unless John and Chad could age five years without me gaining anything, I think I’ll hold onto it,"
McCown joked said. "It’s based on age and it’s tentative, and it doesn’t mean anything to me. I just go out and play and the other guys go out and play and compete as hard as we can, and the coaches will make the decision they feel is best for the team."
