Breaking news: Dolphins sign veteran QB Don Strock
DAVIE – The Miami Dolphins have signed veteran quarterback Don Strock, a 17-year NFL veteran who played for Miami from 1974 through 1987, to a one-year contract.
Strock, who retired after the 1989 season and turns 55 next month, is expected to take a backup role while providing insurance against injuries to the team’s current quarterback lineup of Gus Frerotte, Sage Rosenfels and A.J. Feeley.
“Injuries are a fact of life in the NFL, and we don’t want to get caught short of quarterbacks like the Jets,†said first-year Miami coach Nick Saban. “We have a saying in West Virginia: A dog ain’t too old to hunt once the puppies got worms. Or something like that.â€Â
On Tuesday, the Jets signed a two-year deal with Vinny Testaverde following season-ending injuries, in the span of just six plays, to starter Chad Pennington and backup Jay Fiedler. Testaverde, a relatively youthful 41, started 15 games last season for Dallas but was unsigned in 2005 until the Jets tracked him down Monday at a bingo hall near his home in Del Boca Vista, Florida.
Saban reportedly considered coaxing Hall of Famer Dan Marino back to the Dolphins, but Marino’s chronic knee injuries were considered too risky. Another potential backup from Miami’s all-time roster, David Woodley, was unavailable due to his untimely death in 2003, aged 44.
“I am eager to get back on the field and contribute in any way I can,†said Strock. “When I left football, my agent told me to stay in shape because you never know when the phone will ring. Of course, that was 16 years ago, but it turned out to be great advice.â€Â
Miami is in its bye week, giving Strock valuable extra time to study the team’s playbook. He will be listed fifth on the depth chart behind punter Donnie Jones, who once threw an option pass in high school, but Saban said Strock would provide seasoned leadership if called upon.
“Do the math,†said Saban. “I’m not really that good at math, but you can probably do it. On any given play, you can lose 11 players. That’s your entire roster gone, potentially, in five plays. And you’d only be putting nine guys on the field for that last play. You can’t establish the run with nine guys.
“Unlikely? Sure. Never happen? You tell me. Never say never in the NFL. Always say sometime. Sometimes you can say always, too. Not often, though. But never ever never. It’s all about discipline, having a system in place.â€Â
Strock started 20 games for the Dolphins, throwing for 4,613 yards, 38 touchdowns, and playing in three Super Bowls (1974, 1983, 1985). His career highlight came on January 2, 1982, in a playoff matchup with San Diego. Entering the game with Miami trailing 24-0, Strock rallied the team before losing in overtime, 41-38, in the only NFL game to see two quarterbacks, Strock and the Chargers’ Dan Fouts, both pass for over 400 yards.
Since 2002, he has been head coach at Florida International University (FIU), which today promoted assistant coach Bruce Hardy – a former Dolphin tight end and teammate of Strock’s – to lead the I-AA Golden Panthers.
“We wish Don well with the Dolphins,†said FIU Athletic Director Rick Mello, who denied rumors that Strock’s vacant position had been offered to former Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt. “Dave is happy in Pittsburgh, and the rest of the NCAA is pleased heâ€â¢s there, too. From a coaching standpoint, we’re very confident in Bruce Hardy.â€Â
Terms of Strock’s contract were not immediately available, but he is expected to play for the veteran minimum, with incentives for not getting permanently disabled.
DAVIE – The Miami Dolphins have signed veteran quarterback Don Strock, a 17-year NFL veteran who played for Miami from 1974 through 1987, to a one-year contract.
Strock, who retired after the 1989 season and turns 55 next month, is expected to take a backup role while providing insurance against injuries to the team’s current quarterback lineup of Gus Frerotte, Sage Rosenfels and A.J. Feeley.
“Injuries are a fact of life in the NFL, and we don’t want to get caught short of quarterbacks like the Jets,†said first-year Miami coach Nick Saban. “We have a saying in West Virginia: A dog ain’t too old to hunt once the puppies got worms. Or something like that.â€Â
On Tuesday, the Jets signed a two-year deal with Vinny Testaverde following season-ending injuries, in the span of just six plays, to starter Chad Pennington and backup Jay Fiedler. Testaverde, a relatively youthful 41, started 15 games last season for Dallas but was unsigned in 2005 until the Jets tracked him down Monday at a bingo hall near his home in Del Boca Vista, Florida.
Saban reportedly considered coaxing Hall of Famer Dan Marino back to the Dolphins, but Marino’s chronic knee injuries were considered too risky. Another potential backup from Miami’s all-time roster, David Woodley, was unavailable due to his untimely death in 2003, aged 44.
“I am eager to get back on the field and contribute in any way I can,†said Strock. “When I left football, my agent told me to stay in shape because you never know when the phone will ring. Of course, that was 16 years ago, but it turned out to be great advice.â€Â
Miami is in its bye week, giving Strock valuable extra time to study the team’s playbook. He will be listed fifth on the depth chart behind punter Donnie Jones, who once threw an option pass in high school, but Saban said Strock would provide seasoned leadership if called upon.
“Do the math,†said Saban. “I’m not really that good at math, but you can probably do it. On any given play, you can lose 11 players. That’s your entire roster gone, potentially, in five plays. And you’d only be putting nine guys on the field for that last play. You can’t establish the run with nine guys.
“Unlikely? Sure. Never happen? You tell me. Never say never in the NFL. Always say sometime. Sometimes you can say always, too. Not often, though. But never ever never. It’s all about discipline, having a system in place.â€Â
Strock started 20 games for the Dolphins, throwing for 4,613 yards, 38 touchdowns, and playing in three Super Bowls (1974, 1983, 1985). His career highlight came on January 2, 1982, in a playoff matchup with San Diego. Entering the game with Miami trailing 24-0, Strock rallied the team before losing in overtime, 41-38, in the only NFL game to see two quarterbacks, Strock and the Chargers’ Dan Fouts, both pass for over 400 yards.
Since 2002, he has been head coach at Florida International University (FIU), which today promoted assistant coach Bruce Hardy – a former Dolphin tight end and teammate of Strock’s – to lead the I-AA Golden Panthers.
“We wish Don well with the Dolphins,†said FIU Athletic Director Rick Mello, who denied rumors that Strock’s vacant position had been offered to former Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt. “Dave is happy in Pittsburgh, and the rest of the NCAA is pleased heâ€â¢s there, too. From a coaching standpoint, we’re very confident in Bruce Hardy.â€Â
Terms of Strock’s contract were not immediately available, but he is expected to play for the veteran minimum, with incentives for not getting permanently disabled.
