Dolphins sign David Garrard
After losing out in the Matt Flynn and Peyton Manning sweepstakes, the Dolphins have found a quarterback.
Where does Manning rank on the list of franchise quarterbacks who finished their careers on another team?
David Garrard (who has been recovering from a herniated disk that he injured last year during training camp) has agreed to terms with the Dolphins, FOXSports.com has learned via text message.
It is a one-year deal, Garrard’s agent (Albert Irby) told Scout.com.
arrard said he was told he will get an opportunity to compete with last year’s starter, Matt Moore, who passed for 2.497 yards and 16 TDs with nine interceptions as the Dolphins went 6-10.
It is not known whether the Dolphins will make a play for another quarterback in the NFL draft in April or in free agency. Miami met with free agent quarterback Alex Smith this past weekend.
David Garrard.
Quarterback David Garrard signed a one-year contract Monday with the Miami Dolphins and said he was told he’ll be given a shot at the starting job.
He’s not sure yet who else will be part of the competition, though.
The Dolphins reached agreement with the former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback after failed courtships with Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn. They also hosted San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith for a visit Sunday and may still consider signing him.
“They didn’t say for sure they were bringing another guy in, but they said it’s a possibility, whether in the draft or whatever” – Garrard said in a phone interview.
For now, Garrard and incumbent Matt Moore are the contenders for the job.
“It’s going to be a great competition, and I’m all about that” – Garrard said. “I’m going to do my best to make sure it’s me on opening day.”
The Dolphins also told safety Yeremiah Bell he’ll be released to create cap space, a person familiar with the discussions said. The person confirmed the discussions to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Dolphins hadn’t announced a move.
By cutting Bell, the Dolphins save more than 4 million dollars in cap space, which could be used in negotiations with Smith.
The 34-year-old Garrard (a starter for Jacksonville from 2005-10) didn’t play last season. He was released five days before the opener by the Jaguars, and Miami courted him last year after quarterback Chad Henne’s season was ended by a shoulder injury.
But Garrard didn’t sign, and instead underwent back surgery in October. He considered retirement, he said, but is now 100 percent and eager to extend his career another year.
“It was taken away from me, and it gave me a great perspective on life and this game” – he said. “I want to make sure when I leave this game, I do it when I’m ready to go, and there’s never any remorse or thought of, could I have done more?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpR25awbSVM
The Miami Dolphins’ once-promising quarterback search started at the top with Peyton Manning and potentially ended Monday night with former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard. That, in a nutshell, sums up Miami’s rough offseason.
The Dolphins have agreed to a one-year contract with Garrard – according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. After failing to land Manning, Robert Griffin III and Matt Flynn, Miami signed a 34-year-old quarterback who missed all of 2011 with a back injury.
Do the Dolphins really think Garrard can be a viable starter next season? According to Garrard – he was told he will have a chance to compete for the starting job.
This is yet another wild and zany move by the Dolphins. It’s hard to tell what the front office is thinking these days. The plan seems to change daily.
If there is a silver lining, it’s that signing a veteran such as Garrard most likely rules out Miami also signing Alex Smith or trading for Tim Tebow. Both options would have been mistakes. It appears Miami will go with Matt Moore, Garrard and potentially a rookie draft pick at quarterback in 2012.
Still, it must be painful for Dolphins fans to watch this team – which entered the offseason with so much promise – take itself out of contention months before the season starts.
The Dolphins continue to appear lost and grasping at straws.