Cleo

Lemon

McCown’s name has reportedly “been circulating” as a possible backup to Tarvaris Jackson, but Cleo Lemon is still thought to be the team’s top preference.

Jacksonville is making an all-out effort to improve its receiver corps. Porter is also considered a fallback for Minnesota if it can’t get Bernard Berrian signed. Lemon would replace Quinn Gray as David Garrard’s backup.

The Dolphins must think Lemon has a future in the league to deal the pick and Feeley for him. He’ll remain behind Gus Frerotte and Sage Rosenfels this year.

Lemon is the No. 3 QB behind Brees and Rivers, so he’s unlikely to see the field unless the Chargers get hit with the injury bug.

The sides had been working on a multi-year deal and still could reach one before or during the season. Lemon has lined up as Miami’s first-team quarterback at early workouts but probably won’t keep the job with a Trent Green trade expected to happen before training camp. More likely, Lemon will be viewed as a backup for rookie John Beck in 2008 and possibly beyond.

Beck, the fourth signal caller drafted in April, completed 69 percent of his passes as a senior at Brigham Young, where he started all four years. Beck seems likely to pass Cleo Lemon to become Trent Green’s top backup by mid-season. The ‘Fins will now turn their attention to No. 9 pick Ted Ginn.

“As we work toward naming a starter,” Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron said Tuesday, “I’ll make that announcement when my instincts tell me to make that announcement.” If Green does not win this competition, it will be one of the biggest surprises of the NFL offseason so far.

Lemon was off to a decent start before Tamba Hali forced him to fumble in the second quarter, springing a Chiefs drive that began on the Dolphins’ 22 but resulted in a Brodie Croyle pick. Lemon didn’t make a move on starter Trent Green, although Green’s numbers (4-7-41-0-0) weren’t any better.

Second-round pick John Beck will play the fourth quarter. Ronnie Brown is slated to start and see about half of the running back workload. Ted Ginn Jr. also will start in place of an injured Marty Booker (knee soreness).

He was booed by the Miami faithful, but to be fair, his offensive line was terrible. Still, Green was slow to deliver the ball and his passes fluttered like they did late in last season. Cleo Lemon, who is competing for the starting gig, attempted just 6 passes, but he completed five of them for 56 yards.