White’s early struggles aren’t reason for concern

By Adam Sweeney  |   Friday, May 29, 2009  |  Comments( 5 )

Miami Dolphins
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Ask any NFL rookie about his transition from the college ranks to the pros, and he'll surely tell you that the game is far faster at the sport's highest level. This is true even for a speedster like Pat White, much more so because he is set on playing the quarterback position.

Some fans and writers have gotten on White, a second-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in last month's draft, for his early struggles at organized team activities. But don't let the blogs fool you into thinking Miami is worried at all about White at this point. After all, his impact on the Dolphins as a quarterback won't be seen for quite some time.

Chad Pennington comes in as the starter this season, and second-year man Chad Henne is the heir apparent to the veteran. That's very good news for White, who will have time to sit back and absorb the game on the sidelines. Nobody is asking him to be Matt Ryan. White is going to need to get used to the offense and speed of the game. He isn't starring in the Big East at West Virginia anymore.

At the same time, White will be able to get on the field with the "Wildcat" formation, so he'll have the best of both worlds. White can rack up playing time, but he still won't be asked to carry the load for the Dolphins.

Will White be able to challenge Henne for Miami's starting QB spot when Pennington is gone? It's hard to say right now, obviously, but White does have intangibles that Henne is lacking; what's more, should the Dolphins become even more bent on using the "Wildcat," the athletic White could be asked to be the main man under center.

As for the present, Dolphins fans shouldn't worry about White's early learning curve; in all likelihood, the White they will see in the regular season will be nothing like the one now. Thus, save the trash talk for the rest of the AFC East. Give White a break.
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About Adam Sweeney

Adam Sweeney spent 4 years as an opinions and arts & entertainment columnist with the Lone Star Lutheran, also working with Sports Illustrated.com. Along with his work on Realfootball 365 he currently is a contributor for Film School Rejects, SLAM Online, Talkhoops.net, and C-Heads Magazine.
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CommentsComments: 5  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
JimmyD		03:43 PM
05/30/2009
Pat white has discovered that EVERYONE is fast in the NFL....it will take him some time to get over the fac that he won't be able...
No.2
1		12:04 PM
05/31/2009
My god. The dude just got out of the draft a month ago. Give him time already. Redskins with 9 QBs?? Who said he could catch? I...
No.3
JimmyD		01:44 PM
06/01/2009
OK, Dolphins217....the 9 QB reference is what is called parody, a joke. As for white actually learning how to catch the ball,...
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