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The Football Diner Big Interview:
John Beck
interviewed by Michael E Lawrence
23/10/2007
John Beck is the man Dolphins GM Randy Mueller and Head Coach Cam Cameron handpicked in the second round of April’s NFL draft to be their quarterback of the future. With Trent Green now on IR, Beck has already ascended to second string, and is waiting to move to the top of the depth chart. He’ll have his opportunity before the season’s out, and then the job might well be his to lose.
Football Diner got the chance to chat with John on Monday, a day after his Dolphins were beaten by the all conquering (it seems) New England Patriots. As he chowed down a rotisserie chicken, mash potato and gravy lunch round the corner from the Dolphins complex, the Diner was nattering in his ear on the phone, getting to know all the John Becks: a rookie with the resolute, patient demeanour of a man of Faith; a focused competitor with his team’s best interests at heart; and a Coldplay/Craig David fan looking for the lowdown on where to buy his favourite European colgone (we’re getting back to him on that one; we might even buy a bottle ourselves, freshen the place up a bit).
 FD
John, thanks for talking with us. Enjoying the chicken?
John
I am.
FD
Glad to hear it. Does it surprise you that there’s such a big interest in the NFL and this weekend’s game over here in the UK?
John
Well I know the popularity of Pro Football is spreading worldwide, though Wembley will be unique. I actually lived in Portugal from 2000 to 2002 when the Football World Cup was on I really noticed how passionate the fans were then about soccer, so it doesn’t surprise me a bit.
FD
What are the plans for coming over here to London when does the team actually arrive and what’s the schedule?
John
We’ll be flying over on Thursday, then there’ll be practices on Thursday and Friday and a walk through on Saturday.
FD
Have you been here before?
John
No never! I’m excited about it.
FD
So you’ll be taking in some sights
John
Sadly, it’s first and foremost a business trip for us, so we won’t be able to see the sights because the game has to be the most important thing, has to be our focus. That said, my wife will be with me and she’s going to tour about while I’m practicing. I’ve told her she has to get a picture of herself in front of the changing of the guard!
FD
Well quite. Now, how does the team as a whole view such a trip it is after all sacrificing a home game
John
Well none of us have ever played a game in London obviously, and that will be different, but at the same time as football players we get used to different environments when we play away games across the country. I’m also aware there’s a pretty big Dolphins fanbase in the UK I was just signing a flag to send over to the Dolfans UK just the other day! It could be a home atmosphere after all.
FD
It’s been a difficult season for the Dolphins so far how does a team motivate itself when the losses are beginning to pile up?
John
Well the main focus has to be just to take it one game at a time, because each loss is tough to swallow, and we have to make sure we don’t dwell on the past. We just have to ensure we’re still doing the absolute best we can to win each week, and sooner or later, it’ll come.
FD
And there’s a pretty fine margin between winning and losing in the NFL isn’t there?
John
There really is yesterday in New England was a really tough game, as you saw, but so many of our other losses have come down to the fourth quarter. So many games in the NFL are won or lost by the smallest of margins. Often it comes down to just a few plays.
FD
What about yourself John, do you feel that perhaps your time as the Dolphins starting quarterback is already approaching?
John
My main focus is always just preparing myself as best as I can, taking it one day at a time and improving each and every day. I’ve got so much to learn, although I’ve already learnt so much. I just have to be ready in case my number’s called.
FD
How did it feel to be tabbed as the Dolphins quarterback of the future when so many fans were expecting Brady Quinn’s name to be called in the first round of the April’s draft?
 John
The only time I ever think about it is when I get asked questions about it, really! In the NCAA and NFL there’s always competition, and in college, between quarterbacks of high profile teams, there’ll always be comparisons, since all the quarterbacks are competing with each other to win and to get to the next level too, so I’m used to it. Brady and I played each other a couple of times BYU won in my sophomore year and Notre Dame won in my junior year and so we were in the spotlight then too. So personally, it never fazes me.
FD
Do you expect to build a longstanding, successful offense featuring yourself and players like Ted Ginn and Ronnie Brown (who is out for the remainder of ’07 with a knee injury)?
John
Well I hope so: I think the thing is there are a lot of teams with a lot of ability in the NFL. Every team is talented, and so the margin of error is so small. It’s the little things that make people a success, the details. I’ve always learned to prepare as much as I can that’s what I’m all about: preparation, success through being ready. At this level every quarterback can do it on a physical level, every quarterback can throw, so it’s the smallest things that will make you a success or not.
FD
And you think you fit into what Cam Cameron is trying to do on offense?
John
I think so – I wouldn’t have been drafted into this system if my skills didn’t fit in.
FD
Any quarterback heroes of yore?
John
Oh yeah as a kid I was a big fan of Brett Favre and Steve Young.
FD
Now you yourself are an older rookie (John is 26) relatively speaking does that make a difference, does it give you greater confidence?
John
Well for me personally, I feel like I’ve been through a lot, I feel like I’ve had a lot of life experience that makes me who I am today, and I feel lucky to have that advantage. It helps me to feel prepared.
FD
OK the big game on Sunday: would you care to make a prediction?!
John
No! I just hope things go in our favour I hope we execute and play as well as we can possibly play.
FD
And what if Cleo has to come out and you need to go in at quarterback? Will there be nerves?
John
Well, the first time you go in and play is always going to be exciting! But again, it’s that preparation, that’s what I feel would give me a chance to succeed if I needed to go in.
FD
Alright, so any tips we can give you on London?
John
Not on London as such, I think we’ve got that covered though one thing I would like to know: what’s happening at half-time? Is there a show? It’d be great if a band like Coldplay were performing.
FD
Well, the pre game show will feature popsters The Feeling, soul singer Jocelyn Brown and tenor Russell Watson, it says here. But hang on, you’re a fan of British music like Coldplay fan then?
John
Oh yeah, Coldplay, Craig David
FD
In which case we’ll see what we can arrange! (We of course have no chance.) Right, we’d better let you finish your lunch before it gets cold. We hope to see you on the field leading the Dolphins offense at some point on Sunday good luck John!
John
Thanks! See you there!
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