Dolphins Quarterbacks Since Marino Retired

Jay Fiedler out of Dartmouth was the first quarterback to take over after Marino retired. Fielder took over in 2000 for the Miami Dolphins and played in 62 games for the Miami Dolphins. Jay played for the Dolphins from 2000-2004. His career record with the Dolphins was 36-23 including a 1-2 playoff record. Jay finished his Miami career with 936 completions, 11,040 yards, 66 touchdowns and 63 interceptions. Stepping in for a living legend Fielder played pretty well in his time with the Dolphins. Jay played for 5 teams in his career with him being in a Dolphins uniform the longest. Fielder’s time in Miami produced 3 10 plus win seasons in four years, two postseason appearances and a AFC East division title. During his time in Miami the offense lacked star power and the defense mostly carried the team. Two fun facts about Jay Fielder are he was the last Dolphins quarterback to win a playoff game beating the Colts and he has been inducted into the National Jewish Museum Sports Hall of Fame.

Damon Huard out of Washington was with the Dolphins for 3 years 1997-2000 going 5-1 as a starter. Huard finished his time in Miami with 170 completions, 1691 yards, 9 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. Huard serviced as a backup to Dan Marino and Jay Fielder. Huard played for 5 teams in the NFL.

Ray Lucas out of Rutgers became the third starting quarterback for Miami since the retirement of Marino. Lucas played for the Dolphins for two years in 2001 and 2002. Lucas started six games for the team going 2-4. He had 94 completions, 1090 yards, 4 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. After Jay Fielder broke his thumb and Lucas got a shot to start he thanked the Dolphins by turning the ball over 6 times with 4 interceptions and 2 fumbles. Single handily one of the worst games by a quarterback in team history. The game was so bad Lucas completed more passes to Nate Clemens of the Bills then he did to any Dolphins receiver.

Brian Griese out of Michigan was brought to Miami in 2003. Unfortunately, his time in Miami was very brief as he was released in 2004. Griese started 5 games in Miami going 3-2. He completed 74 passes for 819 yards, 5 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Why did Griese fail in Miami? Was it the pressure of playing in Marino’s shadow? Was it the pressure of playing for the same team his Hall of Fame father played for? Whatever Griese short coming was in Miami it was just that short. Griese went on to play 5 more seasons in the league after he left Miami.

A.J. Feeley out of Oregon was the next one to take snaps as the starter for the Dolphins. Miami traded a 2005 2nd round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for Feeley. Like many of the other QB’s Feeley’s time in Miami as a starter was short lived. Feeley played one year in Miami. Only started 8 games going 3-5. He completed 191 passes in Miami for 1893 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. Feeley had a few bright spots as he leads the team to an upset win over the 12-1 Patriots at the time. Feeley was traded the following of season to the Chargers for you guessed it Cleo Lemon! So, let’s get this straight the team gives up a second-round pick for him then dump him one year later for Cleo Lemon. Trades like this make you just say wow. I guess the only positive thing to come this is the 2nd round pick Feeley was traded for was used on Reggie Brown who didn’t turn out to be much.

Sage Rosenfels out of Iowa State was the next signal caller to become a starter for the Dolphins. Rosenfels was in Miami from 2002-2005.Rosenfels came to Miami via trade with the Washington Redskins for a seventh-round pick. In Rosenfels 4 years in Miami he started 2 games losing both of them. He completed 54 passes for 776 yards, 6 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. At 6’4 I was really hope that Rosenfels would of succeed in Miami. I know he wasn’t a big name but personally I liked this kid when he came over from Washington. But unfortunately, things didn’t work out with Sage and he was mainly a backup in Miami. He went on to play for two more teams after his time in Miami. Sage’s one bright spot in Miami was bringing the Dolphins back to a 24-23 win over the Bills after trailing 23-3 at the end of the third quarter.

Gus Frerotte out of Tulsa was the starter in 2005 after coming over from Minnesota. Frerotte started 15 games in 2005 going 9-6. He completed 257 passes for 2,996 yards, 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Gus Frerotte added was just another quarterback to spend one year in Miami.

Daunte Culpepper out of UCF was the next to try his luck as the Dolphins quarterback. Culpepper was traded to Miami in 2006 for a 2nd round pick. As ever Dolphin fan knows the team decided to pass on Drew Brees at the time to trade for Culpepper. Culpepper only started 4 games for the team before his previous injury plagued him again. In those four games, he was 1-3 as a starter. He completed 81 passes for 929 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Culpepper asked to be released from his contract just one season after becoming a Dolphin. I’m sure there isn’t a Dolphin fan around asking the age-old question why we didn’t just sign Drew Brees. What could have been if Brees would have been a Dolphins quarterback?

Joey Harrington out of Oregon took over the fifth game of 2006 season after Culpepper was injured. Harrington started 11 games for the Dolphins that season where he had a record of 5-6. Harrington completed 223 passes for 2236 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. Harrington was traded to the Dolphins in 2006 for a 2007 5th rounder. Harrington only spent one year in Miami like many other quarterbacks before him. Harrington had so much hype coming out of college but was another failed project in Miami. Harrington went on to play for the Falcons and Saints after Miami.

Cleo Lemon out of Arkansas State was brought to Miami in 2005 via trade with the Chargers. Lemon spent from 2005-2007 in Miami. Lemon started 8 games in two years with the Dolphins going 1-7. He completed 211 passes for 2,185 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. Lemon was a backup most of his career as he could never take the starting spot and run with it when given the chance.

Trent Green out of Indiana was brought to the Dolphins in June 2007 via trade with the Chiefs. Miami gave up a 5th round pick in 2008 for Green. Green only started 5 games for the team going 0-5. Green, unfortunately, suffered another concussion during the season and was eventually placed on injured reserve. Green completed 85 passes for 987 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. Green was another one to join the one and done season club with the Dolphins.

John Beck out of BYU was the drafted by the Dolphins in the 2nd round of 2007 Draft. Beck started 4 games in his career with the Dolphins going 0-4. He completed 60 passes for 559 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions. Beck didn’t play the whole 2008 season and was ultimately released in April of 2009.

Chad Pennington out of Marshall was the next on to take his shot at starting for the Dolphins in 2008. Pennington spent 3 years in Miami from 2008-2010 after spending 8 years with division rival New York Jets. Pennington started 20 games in a 3-year career with the Dolphins going 12-8. He completed 373 passes for 4085 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. Pennington led the Dolphins to the team’s first division title since 2000. Unfortunately, they lost to Baltimore in the playoffs that season. Pennington has also tied runner-up in the MVP race in 2008 ultimately losing out to Peyton Manning. He won 2008 comeback player of the year. Also, the first quarterback since Marino to throw for 3,500 yards in a season. So you can arguably say Pennington could be the best quarterback to take over since Marino this far.

Chad Henne out of Michigan was selected in the 2nd round in 2008 draft. Henne was the fourth QB taken that draft. He agreed to a 4-year contract after being drafted. In 2009 when Pennington went down with a shoulder injury Henne took over as the starter. Henne spent 4 years in Miami from 2008-2011. He started 31 games for the team going 13-18. He completed 646 passes for 7, 114 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 37 interceptions. Henne was yet another 2nd-round quarterback who couldn’t seem to get it right when it came to start in the NFL. Since Henne left Miami he has spent time in Jacksonville and Kansas City.

Tyler Thigpen out of Coastal Carolina was traded to the Dolphins after Chad Pennington went down due to injury. There isn’t much to say here he only started one game for the franchise. He lost that game having a career record of 0-1 with Miami. He completed 37 passes for 518 yards, 3 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in his 2-year tender in Miami.

Matt Moore out of Oregon State was yet another quarterback to take starting snaps since Marino retired. Moore was the 16th starter to put on a Dolphins uniform since Marino hung it up. Moore came over to Miami after a 3-year career in Carolina. Moore has spent the last 7 years in Miami he has started 17 games in that time with a record of 8-9. He completed 359 passes for 4,298 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions. Moore for some reason has been the most loved backup quarterback by this fanbase for some years now. But I guess the most popular player is the backup until they get a chance to start and can’t hang. Why yes, Moore showed some flashes of being good, but it never panned out to be anything special. Moore appeared in a playoff game for the Dolphins which they lost to Pittsburgh. Matt Moore is currently a free agent as the Dolphins chose not to re-sign him this offseason.

Ryan Tannehill out of Texas A&M was drafted in 2012 and became the 17th starting quarterback since 2000. Tannehill was selected 8th overall in 2012. Ryan became the 1st quarterback Miami has selected in the 1st round since drafting Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino in the 1st round of 1983 draft. Miami has selected two other 1st round quarterback and there both in the Hall of Fame can Ryan turn he career around and become the third? Ryan was named a starter in his rookie season and has held the spot ever since except last year when he sat out with a torn ACL. Ryan Tannehill went on to set franchise rookie records for passing yards, attempts, and completions. Tannehill has started 77 games for the Dolphins with a record of 37-40. He completed 1,653 passes for 18,455 yards, 106 touchdowns, and 66 interceptions. Tannehill and the Dolphins were playing decently enough to be in the playoff race in 2016 and we know how this story ends. Tannehill goes down with a knee injury and the Dolphins lose in the playoff to the Steelers. Ryan missed the entire 2017 season with a torn ACL. How will he look in 2018 when he steps on the field for the first time? Is he ready to become the leader the Dolphins need in their quarterback? Ultimately is this his make or break season with the franchise?

Jay Cutler out of Vanderbilt was brought in for 2017 season after Tannehill went down with an ACL injury. Cutler became the 18th yes that right 18th starting quarterback since 2000. Cutler was brought in because on paper it should have been a match made in heaven with his knowledge of coach Adam Gase system. Cutler started 14 games going 6-8. He completed 266 passes for 2,666 yards, 19 touchdowns, 13 interceptions. Cutler resorted to his old ways and just threw the ball up for grabs and threw a few to many key interceptions over the season. Thank God Cutler’s tender in Miami only lasted one season. Don’t know if this fan base could take one more year of Cutler.

In conclusion to this article let’s ask ourselves a few questions Dolphin fans.

How many 2nd round picks will this team waste on QBs weather it’s trading for there or drafting them?

Why has it been so hard for the Dolphins to find their next franchise quarterback?

Who has been the best quarterback to put on the Dolphins uniform since Marino?

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