Miami Dolphins' Top Training Camp Battles, No. 6: Backup Quarterbacks

After a strong showing during his sophomore season, there is little doubt that Chad Henne is the franchise quarterback for the Miami Dolphins.

His backups, however, are a bit more undecided.

Veteran Chad Pennington is an ideal backup with his experience, accuracy, and leadership, but it's unclear just how recovered he is from the shoulder injury that ended his 2009 season prematurely.

The Dolphins also have a quality backup in 26-year-old Tyler Thigpen, who played well as the starter of a pretty bad Kansas City Chiefs team in 2008.

Then, there is Pat White.

The biggest draft mistake during Bill Parcells' time in Miami, White showed zero ability as an NFL quarterback or spread option weapon as a rookie.

Frail in stature and lacking the arm strength or accuracy to play quarterback, White is what I believe to be a wasted draft pick.

The only question is how long it will take for the Dolphins to admit their mistake and part ways with their 2009 second-round pick.

If the Dolphins are smart, they'll cut ties with White, let Tyler Thigpen serve as Henne's primary backup, and keep Pennington around as a veteran backup and mentor.

Alternatively, the Dolphins could also place Pennington on the PUP list and keep White around as the third-stringer once again, in the faint hope that he proves some worth.


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Chris J. Nelson is a journalism major at Georgia State University. He operates his own Miami Dolphins Web site, The Miami Dolphins Spotlight, and he can be followed on Twitter here .