So John Beck is a Dolphin.

It seems like a good fit, and his opportunity may come quicker than you think. Dante Culpepper’s status is uncertain right now, so much so that he sent an e-mail to the local (Miami) media a couple of days ago to clear some up some rumors that he might be traded or even released. If he’s not healthy enough to play, Beck has an opportunity to get playing time really quickly, even if the Dolphins decide to bring in a veteran as a stop-gap measure.

I think the rumors of John’s lack of arm strength really helped him, and I’ll tell you why: The teams that John worked out for privately had to be impressed if they went in thinking his arm strength was just average. John can make all the throws and I knew he would look good in workouts. These teams (Dolphins, Saints, Lions, Ravens) thought they had a real edge on other team’s that simply read scouting reports and found John lacking.

Quick story: Evening practice, nearing the end of two-a-days, 2006. John and the offense in the two-minute drill. With about a minute to go, John needed about 10 yards for a first down to keep the drive alive. A receiver (can’t remember which one) ran an out near the sideline and Quinn Gooch was in perfect position to cover the throw. Except John throws an absolute 20-yard laser through Gooch’s hands to the receiver, who caught the ball in self defense and stepped out of bounds to stop the clock. Gooch was furious, but he simply couldn’t react fast enough to the speed John put on the ball.

I literally got just four minutes on the phone with John after the draft (3:53, to be exact) because he was leaving to catch a plane for Miami.

By the way: Six hours?

The NFL Draft is getting ridiculous. It took more than six hours for the FIRST ROUND to be completed. Principalities have been overthrown in less time. You can fly from here to the east coast in six hours. You can build a freaking garage in less time.

Rant complete.