Former BYU star Beck cut loose by Dolphins

DAVIE, Fla. — Quarterback John Beck has been released by the Miami Dolphins two years after he was taken in the second round of the NFL draft.

Monday's move wasn't a surprise after Miami acquired West Virginia quarterback Pat White in the second round of the draft Saturday. The Dolphins have two other quarterbacks — starter Chad Pennington and Chad Henne, a rookie last year.

When the Dolphins drafted Pat White on Sunday, Beck immediately texted a message to Dolphin management and asked for a Monday meeting.

Beck knew when the staff that drafted him got fired a year ago that it was not a good situation for him. The new regime brought in its own coaches and those coaches tagged their own quarterback.

"I met with (Dolphins general manager) Jeff Ireland today and we decided it was in my best interest to obtain a release," Beck said on Monday.

"When the new regime came in, it was obvious they wanted to go a certain direction instead of staying with the direction the team had taken when I was drafted," he added. "I knew right then I was in a tough position. I feel great about the situation now (waivers) because it gives me an opportunity. If a team picks me up, it is obvious they will do so because they want me and have plans for me, so I'm excited. This was a decision that was good for the Dolphins and very good for me.

"This is their way of thanking me for that hard work by giving me a chance to play and work something else somewhere else. It would be to my disadvantage if they had held on to me and kept me on the roster."

Beck went 0-4 starting as a rookie under coach Cam Cameron in 2007. He played in five games, fumbled seven times and threw three interceptions. He did not play last year under new coach Tony Sparano.