Small returns

The Dolphins are 2-0 in exhibition play so far this year.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For most of Thursday's exhibition game, rookie John Beck - like his fellow Miami Dolphins quarterbacks - wasn't having a memorable performance.

After entering the game in the third quarter, Beck was sacked by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson in his first series, was sent running by William Kershaw in his second series and was sacked again by Wilkerson in his third series.

It was Beck's fourth and final series that stood out from the rest. Beck led a seven-play, 73-yard game-winning drive in the fourth quarter to help the Dolphins beat the Chiefs 11-10 at Arrowhead Stadium.

Maybe I'm wrong about the team's expectations this year, except both wins were by just one point.

Both games ended in similar fashion. Rookie QB John Beck orchestrating a late drive that puts Miami ahead. So who will be the starting QB when Miami opens the season? Dave George at the Palm Beach Post thinks he has the answer.

What we've seen in two weeks of exhibition games is a variety of supercharged practice-field scenarios, beginning with the basic question of whether rookie center Samson Satele can snap the ball to whoever is back there with any kind of consistency.

It's all pretty basic now with the Dolphins, and that favors, as Cameron always has, the quarterback with 109 NFL starts and two Pro Bowl appearances.

Those are the numbers that matter most with Green, 37, not his stats from Thursday night or his 6-of-15 passing totals a week ago against Jacksonville.

Admittedly Green was better against KC, but hardly exciting. He was 4 for 7 for 41 yards. Overall Trent Green is 10 for 22 with 101 yards in 3 quarters of play.

Hardly encouraging if Cameron plans to ride this QB at the beginning of the regular season. I do think George is right, Trent Green will be the starting QB week one vs. Washington.

Some other Dolphin news.

KANSAS CITY, MO. — The Dolphins didn't count on first-round pick Ted Ginn Jr. to be a big-play wide receiver right away.

They did expect instant help in the return game. They're still waiting. And Ginn's opportunities have been reduced.

In Thursday's exhibition victory at Kansas City, Ginn was removed from the kickoff return team and replaced by running back Ronnie Brown. Ginn ran back three kickoffs for 56 yards against Jacksonville last week.

Ginn, who set a Big Ten record in three seasons at Ohio State with six touchdowns on punt returns, managed 7 yards on four punt returns against the Chiefs.

*****

The team also hopes Ginn, widely considered the fastest offensive player in the draft, will be able to stretch the field in the passing game. He hasn't been asked to do so in either exhibition game.

He had one catch for 9 yards against Jacksonville. In Kansas City, the Dolphins threw one pass - a slant route - in Ginn's direction. Chiefs defensive end Tamba Hali batted down the pass from Cleo Lemon.

Most of Ginn's play at WR has been with Green at the helm. Which is hardly helpful. However Ginn not doing kickoff returns is bothersome. I still feel Miami could have drafted the next Johnny Lam Jones.

We'll wait and see.

Linked to- Adam, Bright & Early, The World According to Carl,