Ireland Finally Admits Dolphins Need a QB

Miami's general manager tells everyone what they already know about the Dolphins' quarterback situation

Miami Dolphins fans have known for the past year that the Dolphins need a new quarterback if they want to become a respectable football team. Miami general manager Jeff Ireland finally admitted as much on Tuesday while scouting at Senior Bowl practice in Mobile, Alabama.

"We need a quarterback that can lead us over the hump," Ireland told the media at the Senior Bowl. "This is a quarterback league. We have to do our best to make our position better."
 
Of Miami's two quarterbacks that made starts in 2011, Chad Henne is a free agent, while Matt Moore is under contract for one more season. Henne is not expected to return. Moore led Miami to a 6-6 record after Henne was lost for the season due to a shoulder injury, but he remains the Dolphins' Plan B.
 
Ireland said Moore "did a great job" in Henne's stead, but it is clear the Dolphins do not want him starting in Week 1 of the 2012 season. Miami will probably not be able to select either of the top two quarterbacks in the draft without making a trade for a higher pick, so they will probably try to upgrade in free agency or via a trade.
 
The Dolphins are supposedly interested in Green Bay backup Matt Flynn, who could be the next Tom Brady or the next Jay Fiedler, depending on who you ask (the truth probably lies somewhere between those poles). Miami could make a run for Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning if the Colts release him as expected, but they will have to compete with at least three other teams for him.
 
Manning will likely want to move to the team that has the best opportunity to win now, which could hurt the Dolphins' chances. Their rivals, the New York Jets, are also eyeing Manning, and they were able to post a winning record in 2011 with a mediocre signal-caller, Mark Sanchez.
 
But back to Ireland. Dolfans are probably wondering why it took so long for Ireland to come around to the idea of finding a new quarterback. By the time the fans were booing Chad Henne in training camp, they had become convinced of the need to upgrade for months. 
 
Ireland better be able to find someone who can produce results this offseason. The fans' patience has already worn thin, and he cannot afford to make any more mistakes at such a key position.
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