David Garrard Reportedly Will Be Released by Miami Dolphins

The David Garrard Era in Miami will reportedly end before he was ever able to take a single snap. 

NFL insider Jay Glazer gives us the news:

"

Just got a text from David Garrard that he is being released from Fins today

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) September 4, 2012"

Let's take a look at this newest development.

What it Means

This isn't all that shocking. Most teams don't carry four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, and even though the Dolphins seemed intent on bucking that trend a couple of days ago, it appeared all along that Garrard would be the odd man out.

The veteran QB has been going through knee problems for the past month, and although he was scheduled to return by Week 1 or 2, the Dolphins are obviously set on planning for the future.

Rookie Ryan Tannehill is already entrenched as the starter, Matt Moore is a solid backup with experience in the system and Garrard would have earned his $2.25 million in guaranteed money if the Dolphins kept him past Sept. 9.

With Pat Devlin in town as a serviceable and cheaper third-stringer, it was only inevitable that Garrard, who signed with Miami in the offseason, would be on his way out before the start of the season. 

What's Next

If Garrard can prove that his knee is back to 100 percent, there's no question that a team out there would be happy to have his services. 

The 34-year-old has a career 85.8 QB rating in 76 starts and has proved, if nothing else, to be a very reliable fall-back option. Should he decide to go on with his career (he sat out the 2011 season), plenty of teams with a lack of QB depth will be calling.  

From a Dolphins perspective, this is just another indication that this is Tannehill's team. Garrard was originally slated as the starter, and if he successfully came back from the knee injury, there was a good chance he would have pushed the rookie for the QB1 spot.

But now, even with Matt Moore in the mix, Tannehill's leash becomes even longer. Now if only the Dolphins would get him some receivers.

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