Miami Dolphins: A Look at the QB Options for 2011
What was once a promising season for the Miami Dolphins quickly turned uglier and uglier with every Chad Henne turnover.
Henne threw 19 interceptions to only 15 touchdowns, was benched, never developed chemistry with deep threat Brandon Marshall, and consistently ruined comeback opportunities with his poor game managing skills.
Needless to say, Rex Ryan is more popular in South Florida these days.
So with Henne likely done, what other choices do the Phins have at QB? Let's take a look.
Option 1: Bring Back Chad Pennington
1 of 8
Pennington led the Dolphins to 11 wins and a division title in 2008 due to his accuracy, leadership, and low number of turnovers.
However, Pennington has had two major shoulder injuries the last two years and probably couldn't make it through an entire NFL season at this point.
Look for Chad to retire if his shoulder pains persist.
Option 2: Free Agency
2 of 8
This years free agent quarterbacks look like my dating resume; bleak, unattractive and with no real possible long term commitment.
Some of the names include Matt Hasselbeck, Alex Smith, Kerry Collins, Seneca Wallace, and Rex Grossman,
Yikes.
Hasselbeck still has some football left in him, and would be a nice guy to sign while drafting a project QB in the later rounds.
Seneca Wallace had a nice season for the Browns, filling in for the injured Jake Delhomme and kept them in every game he started.
Some team will find some reason to want to sign Alex Smith, but shouldn't.
Miami shouldn't settle for anyone on this list.
Option 3: Restricted Free Agents
3 of 8
Depending on the new labor deal, some of these QB's could be unrestricted or restricted free agents.
These names include Tavaris Jackson, Troy Smith, Matt Leinart, Bruce Gradkowski and Drew Stanton.
Again, most of these guys are backups at best. Most still have potential though, with Smith leading San Francisco to a winning record in games he started this year.
Almost all would be worth signing as a backup with a chance to win the starting job, but none should be given the title of starter upon signing.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Option 4: Trade For Kevin Kolb
4 of 8
With Michael Vick's resurgence Philly has little need for Kolb, a talented passer who could develop a nice pass and catch combo with Marshall.
Kolb would have the edge of playing with a chip on his shoulder, having been shadowed by Vick all season and going unwanted on the Eagles.
What would it take to get him? My guess would be a secound round pick. Since Miami has no secound rounder from the Marshall trade, it might take a their 1st round pick in 2011, too steep an asking price for Kolb.
Option 5: Trade For Donovan McNabb
5 of 8
Another Philly castoff, McNabb will most definitely not be back with the 'Skins next season, and his asking price could be cheap.
Donovan is still a productive NFL quarterback and could be brought in for possibly a 3rd round pick. He's not a long term answer, but could be someone for a young quarterback to learn under from the sidelines for a few years.
McNabb shouldn't be option #1 for Miami, but could be a nice fall back plan and would be an upgrade over Henne.
Option 6: Take a 1st Round QB
6 of 8
With Andrew Luck deciding to stay at Stanford, the remaining QB's are likely to fall off the board faster.
Cam Newton, Ryan Mallet, Jake Locker and Blaine Gabbert could all be 1st rounders, but would any of them fall to Miami's 15th spot?
It's likely that the 49ers and Cardinals will take Newton and Mallet, but Locker and Gabbert could both be available for the Phins.
Would drafting Locker with the 15th pick be viewed as a reach? Should Miami trade down and hope to snag him at the end of the 1st/ beginning of the second?
Miami has a few options here, but with Luck staying in school these 1st rounders are all far from a sure thing.
Option 7: Develop a Late Round QB
7 of 8
Believed to be in the second to fourth round range are signal callers such as Florida States Christian Ponder, Iowa's Ricky Stanzi, Nevada's Colin Kaepernick and TCU's Andy Dalton.
Ponder was at one time believed to be a first round pick. Dalton just came off a huge Rose Bowl victory over Wisconsin. Ricky Stanzi has a tall, NFL build.
That being said, all are projected in the lower rounds for a reason and probably wouldn't be ready for immediate action.
Signing a Matt Hasselbeck and developing a Ricky Stanzi behind him remains an intriguing possibility.
Option 8: Go After Vince Young
8 of 8
As of the publication of this article, Vince Young was still a Tennessee Titan, but was quickly on his way out. Young could be traded or flat out released, allowing the Phins to pursue him without compensation.
The former Pro Bowler and Rookie of the Year remains an interesting possibility. If acquired, he would allow the Dolphins to save their 1st round pick for a Mark Ingram, which paired together could be a deadly combo.
A flag comes up, however, bringing someone like Young to Miami who has been involved in altercations outside nightclubs before. If someone can't stay out of trouble in Nashville, a place like South Beach may be a bit more, umm, distracting.
With this option I'd only be willing to make the move if Miami could sign him without having to trade draft picks. A change of scenery may be all Young needs to return to Pro Bowl form.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
