Should Miami consider Green alternatives?

By Adam Best  |   Friday, May 25, 2007  |  Comments( 19 )

Miami Dolphins
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Trent Green will likely be the Miami Dolphins starting quarterback at some point, but at this rate our energy will be completely green-dependent before the team's offense becomes Green-powered. With Dolphins General Manager Randy Mueller and Kansas City Chiefs G.M. Carl Peterson communicating about as often as Michael Vick tells the truth -- which is basically never -- things aren't likely to change soon.

That being said, maybe the Dolphins should consider some other options at quarterback. No, I'm not talking about Cleo Lemon or Daunte Culpepper either -- I'm talking about QBs who are currently free agents or backups on other teams.

Believe it or not, the idea of the Dolphins bringing in a QB not named Green to hold things down until John Beck is ready to take over isn't too far-fetched. If the Dolphins really believed in Green, a two-time Pro Bowler, wouldn't Mueller and Co. be willing to part with more than a trifling sixth-round pick? Additionally, the Dolphins have been burned so many times in trades involving high draft picks, why would they possibly even consider shipping out another quality pick for another QB whose health is suspect? Front-office types tend to have short-term memories, but Mueller still has to remember how the Culpepper trade has turned out.

With that said, here are some Green alternatives the Dolphins could potentially pursue at the QB position:

QB Jake Plummer, Tampa Bay Buccaneers/Retired

Plummer was traded to the Bucs earlier in the offseason and promptly retired when he found out that he wasn't going to be head coach Jon Gruden's starting QB. If the Dolphins would be willing to guarantee Plummer the starting QB spot, at least to begin the season, they could likely land arguably the best QB available for the same sixth-round pick that the Chiefs have rejected for months. Plummer has enjoyed success very close, if not equal, to Green's, and his health isn't questionable. Also, Plummer is much more mobile, which could be a key factor behind a line that might not jell until late in the season (if at all).

Seneca Wallace, Seattle Seahawks

Now that Matt Schaub is the Houston Texans starting QB, Wallace might be the best backup passer in the NFL. Current Seahawks starter Matt Hasselbeck isn't going anywhere, so the Seahawks would probably be at least willing to listen to trade offers for Wallace. His ability to scramble and dodge pass rushers is superior to either of the aforementioned QBs, and he is younger. Given his age and potential, he would be a great insurance policy in the event that the Beck project fails.

The drawback here, however, is that the Seahawks would likely want a first-day draft pick as compensation. It's hard to think the Dolphins would give that kind of compensation up for Vince Young at this point, let alone Wallace. The Dolphins have become stingy with draft picks, so this option is an extreme longshot, but it's an enticing one nonetheless.

Kyle Orton, Chicago Bears

Orton is currently the Bears third-string QB, and he might even be released if Chicago decides to keep rookie Chris Leak as a developmental project. Obviously, it likely wouldn't take much at all to pry him away from the Bears, maybe even as little as a future seventh-round pick. That doesn't mean that Orton doesn't have any value, though. Several years back, Orton started 15 games as a rookie and won 10 of those contests. Not only does he now have a couple of seasons under his belt, but he is also accustomed to being a backup. If Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron pulled Orton in favor of Beck midway through next season, Orton likely wouldn't cause a fuss. One probably can't say the same for either Green or Plummer, that's for sure. Orton wouldn't be a bad stopgap option for the Dolphins at all.

Aaron Brooks, Free Agent

Miami's fans were heated when I made this same suggestion awhile back. Honestly, I was pretty much shocked I didn't receive a few death-threat phone calls given the outrage. In all seriousness, he's a poor man's Plummer who wouldn't cost the Dolphins a draft pick or quite as much money. Even though he fizzled as the Oakland Raiders No. 1 QB last season, Brooks has played well in the past and did help the Raiders secure the first overall pick in the NFL draft. That kind of leadership might be exactly what the Dolphins need to once again become truly competitive in the AFC East.

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