Mired in a 16-game losing streak dating to last season, the Miami Dolphins' 0-13 start has forced them to see the light in more ways than one.
After second-string QB Cleo Lemon replaced Trent Green as the starter in Week 6, the Dolphins continued to lose, but the offense had begun to play better. Then, after their ninth-straight loss, the Dolphins turned to rookie second-round pick John Beck and the offense got even worse.
Rookie quarterbacks
A total of 10 QBs were taken in the 2007 NFL draft. Only three of them (JaMarcus Russell, John Beck and Trent Edwards) have had a regular-season snap, and only two have started a game (Beck and Edwards). Buffalo's Edwards is the only one so far to win a start:
» No. 1: JaMarcus Russell (Raiders)
» No. 22: Brady Quinn (Browns)
» No. 36: Kevin Kolb (Eagles)
» No. 40: John Beck (Dolphins)
» No. 43: Drew Stanton (Lions)
» No. 92: Trent Edwards (Bills)
» No. 151: Jeff Rowe (Bengals)
» No. 174: Troy Smith (Ravens)
» No. 205: Jordan Palmer (Redskins)
» No. 217: Tyler Thigpen (Vikings)
With Beck in, the offense failed to score a single touchdown in three consecutive games. Beck's third start was the worst of them all: three interceptions and two fumbles in an easy win for the New York Jets.
The 40-13 drubbing prompted Dolphins veteran DT Keith Traylor to say, "It appears to me that we are trying to do something other than win."
Asked if the team was sacrificing a chance to win for the opportunity to groom it's second-round draft pick in Beck, veteran DE Vonnie Holiday said, "We knew sooner or later Beck would have to play, but it's hard for veterans who know it's important, but we want to win now. We know it's frustrating, but it's necessary."
What is most necessary is for Beck to avoid turnovers. "It's John's job to protect the ball," says head coach Cam Cameron. "John is a smart guy who tends to see ghosts. He sometimes over-analyzes and predetermines where he is going with the ball instead of reading where the defense is going after the snap."
On Sunday in Buffalo, Beck was haunted by even more ghosts when, on the Dolphins' second possession, he fumbled and it was returned for a touchdown by Bills free safety George Wilson. It was his seventh turnover in the past four games. By then, the 38-17 rout was on, and Cameron was forced to replace Beck with the four-year veteran Lemon.
With three games left for the Dolphins to avoid becoming the first team in NFL history to lose each of their 16 games in the regular season, they will have to rely on a more capable, experienced quarterback to help win just one contest. The shift at quarterback appears to offer a shift in priorities. Evaluating players in the season's final games is important, but never more important than trying to win.
Nothing comes easy for Ward
It took Hines Ward 10 years to pass Hall of Fame wide receiver John Stallworth to become the Pittsburgh Steelers' all-time-leading pass catcher. However, as a former fourth-round pick, Ward has taken the road less traveled to become the best receiver in Steelers history.
Passing the torch
Receiver Hines Ward has become the Steelers' franchise leader in several key statistical categories. Here is how he stacks up against Hall of Fame wideouts Lynn Swann and John Stallworth:
Hines Ward
Catches: 710
Rec. Yards: 8,651
Touchdowns: 64
Yards per catch: 12.2
Lynn Swann
Catches: 336
Rec. Yards: 5,462
Touchdowns: 51
Yards per catch: 16.3
John Stallworth
Catches: 537
Rec. Yards: 8,723
Touchdowns: 63
Yards per catch: 16.2
"I came into this league as special teamer," says Ward. He had to earn the right to catch the ball after proving he could cover kicks. In a blue-collar town like Pittsburgh, Ward had to prove he was a football player first, and a wide receiver second.
"I established myself by taking pride in my blocking," says Ward "I've always wanted to be known as the best football player."
With more than 700 career receptions, Ward has made the most of his opportunities playing for a team that prides itself on running the ball and playing tough defense.
"As a wide receiver in Pittsburgh, and with Bill Cowher as your coach, you don't get much to work with in the passing game," Ward said. "Lynn Swann told me, he and Stallworth had to do much without having a whole lot."
When told that his career path could take the same turn as Swann's and Stallworth's, which leads to Canton, Ward said, "The Hall of Fame is not on my mind. I was told that I wasn't tall enough, not fast enough or good enough, and it's helped me want to become the best complete football player who does everything well."
His game is a blue-collar style, tailor made for a blue-collar town. He's not Randy Moss, Terrell Owens or Chad Johnson, but those three aren't Hines Ward.
Knowing his role
Oakland Raiders quarterback Josh McCown has learned to conquer his ambition, as well as pain and injury. During his preparation for the Raiders' Week 13 game against the Denver Broncos, McCown was playing catch with fellow QB Andrew Walter when a ball dislocated a finger bone on his throwing hand.
"The bone was sticking out, so they stitched it up and I played with a glove on my throwing hand for the very first time," says McCown, who threw three touchdown passes in a 34-20 win over the Broncos. It was the same game rookie quarterback JaMarcus Russell made his debut in relief of McCown.
"Coach Lane Kiffin told me it would happen. I support it, thought about it and had prepared for it to happen," says McCown. "JaMarcus is the future here in Oakland, it does no good to be bitter. I'm here to help him go out and win."
Not knowing what the future holds, McCown says he would like to put together a few more wins as he continues to audition for possible free agency.
"Daunte Culpepper and I want to be starters," he said. "Both of our contracts are up after this season and it would have to be a better situation to move somewhere else and become a backup."
Solomon Wilcots, a former NFL defensive back, is an analyst on the NFL Network as well as a color commentator for CBS football telecasts.
