The Dolphins are 0-4 and while the defense has been getting most of the blame, Trent Green has been part of the problem as well. Let's examine his performance so far.
84/139, 982 yds, 5 TD, 7 Int. That last number is the big one. You could also add another one (the dropped pick in Washington in the final minutes) if you feel like it. He has looked great at times but has also made some poor decisions. His interceptions have come at costly times and always seem to result in points for the opposition. On the other hand, he has put together some nice drives at critical points to get back in games, which was something we didn't see a lot of last year.
A lot of people are insisting we start our rookie second round draft pick, John Beck. He are the issues to think about
- The team won't be challenging for a playoff spot, so if he doesn't win many games, it's not a huge loss. We could end up with a high draft pick if we continue to struggle. I am under the belief, however, that wins are more important than climbing up the draft board.
- Barring injury, he could start 12 games. That's a lot of experience. Rookie quarterbacks rarely do well and most say they shouldn't take a single snap in their first season, but look at Ben Roethlisburger. He did pretty well his first year and won the Super Bowl his second. The theory that rookie quarterbacks never do well and always end up being ruined is a trend, not a fact.
- He's already 26. He went on a Mormon mission for two years before entering BYU, so he is older and more mature than most rookie quarterbacks. The longer he sits, the older he gets. If you finally found a franchise quarterback, you don't want him to be settling in already approaching 30.
- Our trade for Green was a conditional pick. If he plays 70% or more of the teams snaps this year, it's a 4th round pick. If he doesn't then it's a 5th round pick.
Then there is Cleo Lemon. He is 28 and has some experience in Cam Cameron's system (in San Diego). He has only started one game (last years finale) and doesn't have much NFL game experience.
Finally, my take.
Four games isn't enough time to evaluate a QB. While Trent Green hasn't played great, he has shown flashes while trying to overcome our horrendous defense. The day our defense and special teams units show up, he should give us a good chance to win. He should at least start all the games before the bye week (four more games). Barring a miracle turnaround (we would have to be 4-4) he should be benched regardless of his performance. The final eight games should go to the younger
QB's. Trent Green won't be starting here next year (unless previous said miracle turnaround occurs and continues), so Cleo Lemon and John Beck should get the final eight games, split up however the coaches feel. If it were me I would start Beck, week ten at home against Buffalo. If he struggles, then perhaps go to Lemon in later games. This should give Beck a great opportunity to get some game experience so he will be better equipped for the start of next season (which most Dolphins fans are looking forward to already). Trent Green will have to do what he was mainly brought here to do (impart his wisdom on Beck and Lemon while holding a clipboard on the sidelines).
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