John Beck won't start this week but ...

The much debated question about when John Beck starts could become something of an afterthought if the rookie doesn't start -- but plays anyway.

The Dolphins are preparing for the contingency Beck could get playing time in small increments before his first start, with the first of those increments coming as early as this Sunday against Buffalo.

Coach Cam Cameron has come under a lot of criticism for not starting Beck, but everyone seems to forget that easing the rookie into a series or two is not out of the question.

Getting Beck into his first game via the back door so to speak could help the rookie in that he won't be anxious an entire week before his first game, knowing he's starting. Letting him come in as a reliever would probably be easier on the kid's nerves.

Also, the Dolphins have pretty much put starter Cleo Lemon on notice that if he doesn't perform to a certain standard, he could be replaced by Beck. So there are three scenarios for Beck playing: One as relief of an ineffective Lemon, two as a change of pace to get some work, three as a garbage time fill-in should either Miami be blowing out of some team (fat chance) or be getting blown out (more likely).

Again, that could happen as early as Sunday against Buffalo.

There is no guarantee it will happen then. But with Beck getting half the snaps with the first team in practices, he is expected to get better and closer to playing with each passing day. And while that might not mean he's ready to be introduced among the rest of the starters Sunday, he just might be ready to see his first NFL action, very, very soon.

One more thought for you to consider. In 1983, Dan Marino started nine games as a rookie. But he played in two games prior to that without starting those games. I'm not saying Beck is another Marino. All I'm saying is easing the kid in might just be the best way to do it.