Dolphins open camp again looking for QB

MIAMI — During this era of perennial instability for the Miami Dolphins, there's been one constant: questions at quarterback.

They've persisted through four coaching changes since 2004, and the position remains problematic as Camp Parcells opens Saturday.

The Dolphins have a new boss in Bill Parcells, a new coach in Tony Sparano and plenty of new players, while the longtime faces of the franchise, Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas, have departed for the NFC East.

But amid all the change, quarterback remains the same old story. The Dolphins have started 12 players at the position since Dan Marino retired eight years ago, and they're still looking for a keeper. It's perhaps the biggest reason they've missed the playoffs the past six seasons, a franchise record.

Beck, Henne & McCown is not a law firm, but this year's contenders for the starting job.

"We all feel like we're the starter and we're going to step up and be the starter," Josh McCown said.

McCown, who started nine games last year for Oakland, signed a $6.25 million, two-year contract with Miami in February. John Beck, a second-round draft pick in 2007, started four games as a rookie.

Chad Henne, a four-year starter at Michigan, was taken in the second round of this year's draft. He remained unsigned Friday, and if he misses much of camp, the Dolphins may let him spend his rookie year on the bench.

Sparano, a former Dallas Cowboys assistant, faces plenty of challenges as a rookie head coach taking over a team that went 1-15 last season.

He must revamp the defensive front seven following the departures of Taylor and Thomas. He must mold the offensive line, another chronic problem area for Miami. He must upgrade special teams that were woeful in 2007.

But his most scrutinized decision will be at quarterback. And with so many other positions unsettled, choosing a QB may take awhile.

"In a perfect situation, you would like your quarterback to be in the first huddle as soon as you can possibly get that done in the preseason," Sparano said. "But I don't think you can say, 'Aug. 3 is going to be the date we're going to make this quarterback deal.' I am not sure you get all your questions answered at that point, because there are a lot of questions that have to be answered when you are making a decision on a quarterback."