Miami Dolphins: 6 Best Quarterback Options for 2012

TRIVIA: Name a quarterback that has played well for the Miami Dolphins since Dan Marino retired. If your answer was “no one” then you are correct.

It seems that year-in and year-out the Dolphins are one of the teams that are interested or at least reportedly interested in a new quarterback.

This year is no different as we have already heard reports of Miami being interested in Peyton Manning.

With that being said, let’s take a look at the six best quarterback options for Miami in 2012.

6. Chad Henne

Contrary to popular belief, re-signing Chad Henne would not be the worst option for the Dolphins this upcoming season.

I would not expect anyone in the Dolphins organization to give him the starting role right from the get-go with the way he has played since joining Miami four years ago.

With that being said, he is a guy who likely will not be getting any other offers in free agency, is familiar with the team and would provide competition in training camp.

5. Matt Flynn

Yes, like it or not I will make another Matt Flynn to Kevin Kolb comparison. Although I am still a supporter of Kolb, do you really think that a guy who has one good game against a suspect defense is worthy of a big money contract?

He could be considered an upgrade over Chad Henne; however, there are a few other options that would not only be better, but also more affordable.

Matt Flynn is Miami’s fifth best quarterback option for 2012.

4. Kyle Orton

It was reported several times last offseason that the Miami Dolphins were one of the teams interested in trading for quarterback Kyle Orton—then of the Denver Broncos.

Here we are nearly eight months later and Miami has an opportunity to pick him up in free agency.

Many people may shy away from this idea due to the rough start he had this past season; however, Orton has shown that he can be a solid guy to have under center if he has someone to work with.

3. Peyton Manning

There is no doubt that the Peyton Manning rumors have pretty much taken over the rest of the NFL the past month or so, with the Miami Dolphins being one of the front runners for him if released.

Many people believe that the 11 time Pro Bowler would be the best option for Miami in 2012. However, four neck surgeries later, things are not looking too bright for the older Manning.

If Manning chooses to go to Miami, he would have to learn a new system that could take a while to grasp. With an up-and-coming team like Miami, that is not something that would be good for the franchise.

In other words, Manning is a great quarterback—better than most other options—but there will be a big risk factor in play if they choose to pursue him.  

2. Jason Campbell

With the Raiders giving up all of Oakland to bring in Carson Palmer from the Bengals, Campbell will likely be on the market come the middle of March.

The 30-year-old Campbell is a steady quarterback that could excel on the right team if given the opportunity. At the very least he would provide good competition for the starting role.

Aside from the performance of Matt Moore during the second half of last season and Chad Pennington back in 2008, Campbell could be the best quarterback Miami has had since you know who.

1. Matt Moore

After an 0-4 start to the year, Matt Moore filled in for the injured Chad Henne and led the team to a 6-6 record.

Although it may not sound like a great record, Moore was involved in many close games, including losses by three points to both the NFC champion New York Giants and the AFC champion New England Patriots.

During the 12 games he started, Moore threw for 2,330 yards and had a quarterback rating of 87.1 on the year.

Matt Moore should be the favorite for the starting job come preseason and is the best quarterback option for the Miami Dolphins in 2012.