Beck's in! Ricky's back! (with The Daily Poll)

     The forlorn, winless Dolphins did two things right this week, making this (without much competition) the best week of the season.

     Hallelujah! John Beck will start at quarterback for Miami Sunday in Philadelphia. Better late than never, Cam Cameron. A home debut vs. Buffalo would have been easier on Beck's nerves than a roadie in Philly, but still. You know I've been pushing for Beck for weeks.

     The Dolphins did something else right by announcing Ricky Williams would rejoin the team, one day after he was reinstated by the league. Click here for Thursday's column by me on Beck and Williams.

     Two questions:

     1. What do you expect of Beck Sunday? Instant amazement at a Marino-esque level? A disappointment after all the anticipation? Rookie jitters but a decent performance?

     2. What do you think will be Ricky's future? Remain with Miami beyond this year? Be traded for a low draft pick after the season? Flame out again?

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Opinion Polls & Market Research

     Don't just vote-'n-run. Share your thoughts on Beck and Williams by clicking on 'Comments' below!

Comments

[Mark]

I'm not expecting anything from Beck. I just hope he survives in front of those rabid, insane, "Get your trash off our field!" chanting fans, not to mention a pretty good, blitz-happy defense. Like the NCAA Tournament - survive and advance, and see some improvement each week. That's all we can hope for.

[FZB]

OK Cote..I do agree with you and everyone else, get the rookie in there..NO, I'm not expecting any miracles ( there is only one Marino )...it will take time but he needs to play and the dolphins need to see if he is the one.
as far as ricky..keep him until you can trade him.. ( a 7th rounder is better than nothing )..

[Kris]

1) I expect flashes of brilliance between plenty of rookie mistakes. At least a few flashes will be more than we've seen since...wow, it's been a long time!

2) Use 'em then trade 'em. Use Ricky as a change of pace (please Cam, don't play him over Chatman), just to show other teams he's got something left.

[Tom]

Thank God, something to look forward to. And thanks Greg, I'm certain it was your column that was the final straw that pushed Cam back into the real world.

[Steve-O]

This just proves how dummmbbbb Cam Cameron is...he could of started John Beck last week vs. the Bills at home. Now the kid has to get his brains bashed in vs. the Eagles infront of a hostile crowd.

p.s.-who would hire a coach named Cameron Cameron?

[Noel]

About time Beck started. Maybe he will actually try to throw the ball more than 5 yards downfield.

[Evan]

Now Dolphins fans now have a reason to watch on Sunday...and we will get a glimpse of our future. I expect to see some energy and improvisation from the rookie & first time starter as well as some deep balls to Ginn. I'm not expecting a win, but just some hope for the future.

As for Ricky, let's get him in the mix to give Chatman a breather and show other teams what he can do in case we can trade for decent value. If not, we need to find out if we should keep him on the roster in case Ronnie is not 100% so we don't have to spend a high round draft pick on a RB when we have so many defensive holes to fill.

[Adam]

Hey Tom.... is name is Malcolm Cameron.... but it doesn't matter because someone's name has nothing to do with coaching ability. Patience...

[Adam]

Sorry, "His name".... typos happen... idiots are born.

[Willie Redmond]

I expect an a lot of inconsistentcy from Beck, I'm just happy to see him get the oppurtinity so he can adjust to the speed of the game and gain valuable experience for next season. We should activate Ricky asap and showcase him for trade bait in the off season, I'm certain he can help the team
the remainder of the season. The dolphins will win a game,perhaps this weeken.huh!

[Tom]

Steve-O

I have no f****** clue, but you might ask OC Dolphin since he has taken on the role of being the leading CamMoron apologist on this blog.

[Tom]

Adam

You just thought that was me, but it was actually Steve-O another insightful blogger with his eyes open to reality.

[blue]

Finally! I don't care how Beck plays. If he does well great, if he struggles oh well. Fact of the matter is that he will get experience, hopefully learn and the Fins can plan for their draft next year. Some sense comes calling on Fins.

[MJZ]

You've got to play Ricky to raise his value. If the Fins don't want him, some other team surely will, and if he can demonstrate that he still has gas in the tank the Fins will get a higher draft pick for him. It would be moronic not to give him some reps the rest of the season to prove that value. If the Fins release him, watch the Pats pick him up.

[Steve]

I think we will actually see the ball go downfield a few times. Maybe even a score on a deep pass. He won't be perfect but it will be fun to watch!

[mikey b]

1. I expect Beck to throw 5 td's and run for 2 more. Tebow like!

2. Ricky will run for 1000 yards in the last 6 games.

3. The Dolphins will win their last 7 games, and Malcom Cameron will look like a stud!

GO DOLPHINS

[Trenton]

Your newspaper is reporting? Actually Cote, everybody is reporting this news. Now, I realize Armando Salguero reported this first, but that would be to accurate for you.

Get with the program Gregory.

[Chris S.]

1) Beck is going to get a rude awakening on Sunday. Jim Johnson, a crack d-coordinator, will see to that.

2) Ricky: who knows? It's Ricky.

[Andy]

1. On Beck, I expect to see improved play at QB. While Cleo Lemon certainly never lost games for the team, he didn't make enough game changing plays to win games. All I saw was a lot of dink-and-dunk plays out of him. Lemon simply couldn't get to his WR's. He has some decent mobility in the pocket, but as a passer, he's sub-par. Given what I saw in the pre-season, Beck is a better, more accurate passer, and that's what wins games in football. Expect a fair share of mistakes, but at least the offense will be more effective. What concerns me is the lack of talent at WR. Booker and Hagen drop too many passes; Ginn has some upside, with his speed, but the QB has to get him the ball. Hopefully Beck and Ginn will connect. They really need to sign a free agent WR in the offseason though to round things off.

2. On Ricky Williams- Play him for everything he's got. Yes, Jesse Chatman is having a productive season, but his conditioning doesn't seem to be the best. I'm concerned that he may be injury prone; therefore, having some extra depth at RB/TB position can't hurt. If Ricky flakes out again, no big loss, we just go back to the tandem we have now. He can only help the team at this point. Personally, I'd keep him on the roster as long as he's productive. He's relatively cheap to keep around, and you won't likely get the amount of production out of anyone who signs for a similar price.

[Bill M]

I am not really expecting anything spectacular from Beck. What I want is for him to get experience for next year. He will make his mistakes this year and next but the lessons learned this year will help to make him a better QB for next year. If not, then we will know to draft another QB next year.

As for Williams, we don’t need him. Get what you can for a trade but he is done as a Dolphin. He is unreliable and we don’t even know if he can play any longer. Don’t just let him go, get a draft pick for him but he should not be on the team any longer than necessary. Let him be someone else’s headache.

[Ram]

Beck will show the flashes and make the mistakes. He should and will get the remainder of this year and all of next to see what he's got. If he doesn't...TEBOW!!!

Ricky can't play right away so Cam will be able to see if he's still got it in practice. Everyone keeps harping on his time from the NFL, he was in CFL last season. He hasn't been beat up. He will have some good runs this season and everyone will be bitchin' when we trade him in the off season.

[Tom]

It really doesn't matter how Beck plays, the decision to play him is long overdue. If he plays well, that great for us because we know we can use the #1 overall pick next year on some other need. If on the other hand, he stinks it up and it is obvious he is not NFL talent, then we have the option to use our #1 pick to go after one of the stud QBs coming out next year. Either way we win because we're better informed about our talent. Cam has never figured this out which is reason number 1,732 I think he should be fired before he can do any more damage.

[Chuck]

Not expecting too much from Beck. I'm sure coach Cameron will keep the game plan simple to give him his best chance to succeed. I'm sure we'll see a lot of Jesse Chatman to take the heat off. As for Ricky, I say play him and see if we can dupe somebody out of a draft pick. The season is over so why not try to get some value for him.

[mjfin]

Sensible to start Beck. Now with Ricky, the decision should be a no brainer. We are flush with running backs now: Chatman, Cobbs, Booker (if he ever gets on the field), and Gato. Bring in Ricky. Its not like we need to depend on him. He works out, then great. If not, dump him. It's not like we're discarding our only hope at running back.

[Will]

Perhaps the Dolphins decision to start Beck in Philadelphia this Sunday was an astutely calculated move: rather than have Beck start his first game in friendly, home territory, why not start him in arguably the toughest place to play in the NFL? This way, it can only get better. I think it'll be better for the rook to experience some hostility on the road and really figure out what it takes to win in this league, which his team apparently hasn't figured out yet this season, much to our disappointment as loyal dolfans...

[JeffT]

I expect Beck to be the QB through 2015 and win a few Super Bowls, so whatever he does this week better be step 1 or this horrendous life as a Dolphin fan will keep going forever. Is being the next Brady or Romo to be a star out of nowhere too much to ask? Having endured this season as fans, I think we deserve a victory on Sunday. Sorry if that's too much to ask as well.
No better way to stop the losing than to add the biggest loser in the NFL, Ricky Williams. Who cares about trade value, I just don't want that low life on my team.

[bryan in ohio]

it's about time cam you wise up and start john beck we need to see what this kid can do otherwise we must draft brohm dixon brennan or woodson in the upcoming draft with the number 1 pick and with ricky we must take him back he will take pressure off the kid beck in games and with ronnie brown hurt and likely to not be 100 percent next season he is a cheap option to keep around as well as a big time playmaker.plus if we release him NEW ENGLAND WILL PICK HIM UP!!!!!!!!!

[Petey B]

Regarding John Beck, I don't expect too much from in his first start. I do expect a better play at QB, because I believe he's better than Cleo Lemon. Cleo makes too many mistakes for a veteran, the safety, the interceptions, not keeping your eyes down the field and missing your recievers. It can't get any worse than Cleo.
Regarding Ricky, I say play him, you have not to lose. You never know he can add an extra spark to the offense. The season is lost so why no? And if they can get a second-rounder for him, dont even think twice, trade the guy. Anything less than a second-rounder isn't good enough.

[Turd Ferguson]

I don't expect anything different than what we saw Sunday. He will be conservative, trying not to make a mistake in a hostile environment. The game plan will be conservative to protect him. I don't expect to learn a whole lot about him in his first week. Maybe 13 points for rhe Phins this week.
I don't see CamMueller putting Ricky on the field. He'll be on the shelf the rest of the year and trade bait in April.

[william in scotland]

Beck - 24/32, 279 Yards, 3 TD, 1 INT. Dolphins lose 34 - 31 on last sec FG.

Ricky - Play him if we can then watch him finally disappear like the big guy from Cheech and Chong.

[GaryB]

It seems to be pretty unanimous the no-one expects anything big from John Beck.

I for one am in that catagory, and glad to see the change of pace I think he will bring.

I saw him in a couple of the Preseason games he played in and thought he has a pretty good gun and can get the ball down field. We need to know what we have or if he has any potential to carry this team.

As for Ricky, I see him as a confused young person who needed to get his stuff together... it's unfortunate that it panned out the way it did, but thats all in the past.

Steinberg say's he's been on Pins & Needles and ready to play... let him put that to the test... what difference does it make now?

Bellichuck is probably rubbing his greedy little hands right now!!!

[The Truth]

John Beck! Wow. I dont think we should've been in this situation in the first place. Trent should've still been the starter till today. Yes he was average, but he was learning and getting better. We could've won four games we lost by almost 3pts or stupid mistakes. This team isnt really that bad. I wouldn't be surprised if this year we finish 1-15. And next year we go 11-5. Look at how we lost half of our starter in the first 2 games of the season. Injuries is the real killer.
As for John Beck. He'll grow and develop and be good. Give him sometime, at least he gets to play, unlike Mr. Brady Quinn. Hah! Derek Anderson!!!

[raoul duke]

Regarding Beck it will just be nice to see him get his first start. I don't expect Marino-like performance. Regarding Ricky Williams, DRAFT McFADDEN!

[r. duke]

At least I'll have a rationale other than self-abuse for watching Miami this week.

[Utah]

I expect Beck to have less interceptions than Manning last week, and he will take his shots downfield, finally.

[jb]

Thank God for Beck and Ricky!

[UtahY]

1. Maybe the question shouldn't be about Beck as much as will his O-line give him time against the blitz and will his recievers make the plays? If Beck has time and his recievers are on the same page, he will get the ball there. The guy just needs time on the field to get some experience. Finally!
2. Give Ricky a test drive around the block so we can see what he has under the hood and then get him outta here so he can be somebody else's headline.

[jb]

Test drive? The last game he played, he rushed for 188 yards. Go Fins!

[Chet]

O.K> I'm gonna say this slow for all you idiots out there> When Shula left the Fins they were the winningest sports franchise.Not football, all sports. Since he's left ( a few short years) we are the laughing stock of the N F L!!!!! However you want to keep supporting Wayne,Jimmy, Dave, the monumental clueless Nick, and the lastest as#wipe Cammy. You all get an erection if Cleo throws one good pass a game. Please check your history before being a bunch of suckers and giving more money to a man who has royally fuc%ed up a dynasty!

[Run Ricky Run]

The Dolphins are going to wind up trading Ricky away after the season for a sixth round pick at best. I would keep him, he's never been a negative locker room influence and he's always worked hard. And he needs money.

[sick of u]

you guy or girls are a bunch of sissy whining little babies . some of you people doubt everything that you dont agree with. here is a tissue .wipe your eyes cry baby

[John from Ottawa]

Ten pieces of advice for John Beck.

1. Philly will blitz you at every opportunity. Learn to beat it and disable it. Only then will you have any success. Dan Marino learned it in his first three games and look what he did!

2. Pray that Marty Booker finds a way to catch the ball before Sunday.

3. Pray that Justin Peele will learn how to make a key catch before Sunday.

4. Pray that David Martin finds a way to get open and then catches the ball if it is thrown to him.

5. Trust your offensive line. They are getting better each week. But just in case of the odd breakdown, know where your release man is on each play.

6. Learn to release the ball quickly before Sunday.

7. Use a play action pass on first downs between the 35 yard lines as an opportunity to stretch the field and actually throw the ball over ten yards. Unless you do that there is not a defense in the NFL that won't cheat and put 8 or 9 in the box.

8. Remember the audibles for the screen play, draw play or quick slant when you come to the line of scrimmage on second or third and ten and see the defense has put 9 men in the box.

9. Give Jesse Chatman a chance to be successful by not calling his number when you see 8 or 9 men in the box.

10. Don't be afraid of making mistakes, that only makes you fearful of making big plays. Your predecessor suffered from this problem and he is on the bench.

Good Luck John

[Lou]

sick of u must be in prison and just likes to take it and shut his mouth!!! Or open it!!

[A.J RYAN]

Please don't trade Ricky to New England.

[david]

I think Beck will be able to throw downfield to Ginn, Hagan, Reed, Peele + Chapman. We should run Chapman, Cobb + Booker until Philly can't stand up + then bombs away! Beck can run, throw + hopefully won't fumble. His command of the huddle + command of the playbook will be superior to any quarteback we have seen this year.

[sick of u]

John from Ottawa why don't u go watch some hockey.then u dont have think about me in prison

[Carlos]

I hope Beck is not killed by the egales

[John from Ottawa]

On Ricky Williams
I don't think the Dolphins have a choice they have to play Ricky and then trade him at the end of the year. If you don't play him you will get nothing but a poor draft choice if you trade him now. If you do play him and he does well you will get a lot more for him at the end of the year. I would trade him at the first opportunity at the end of the year. I don't believe he can stay clean for any length of time.

PS. Very eloquent comment sick of u.

[JeffT]

I find it ironic that the running game and offensive line, the two units considered our biggest question mark, have been quite exciting to watch on a week to week basis. While the defensive front seven, considered to be one of the top in the sport, has been utterly horrendous. It will be exciting to see if Beck/Ginn/Hagan could show us a glimpse of actually having a dynamic offense.

I think the biggest issue with this season isn't the record, it is all the players injured in the secondary. We already know these guys playing now are at best special teamers. It would have been nice to watch Daniels, Bell, and Hill grow together and see if they actually could be a competitive unit. Now that is set back a year, maybe two

[Alberto]

1) I expect the rookie to learn a great deal about the speed of the game. It will show me the character of his game, happy feet or stone cold. I still remember the game Brady stepped into a throw when he knew it would get him nailed just to complete the pass. This is the type of QB we need, take the pain, make the pass.

2) Ricky was stud for us, and for the price he will continue to be a stud. It will take at least a year and half for him to have the audacity to ask for a raise and at 32, i doubt he will command much money. He is a great investment at this point, if he fails, just play Booker!!!! Low risk, high reward, every investors dream.