For free agent quarterback David Garrard, any opportunity is a good one as he attempts to make his NFL comeback. (photo: Paul Robinson, Flickr)That would include a return to the Miami Dolphins, a team that cut him during training camp last year.
“I would love to be back in Miami," Garrard recently told the Miami Herald. "I love the coaching staff, I love Ryan [Tannehill].”
The Dolphins are in the market for a backup quarterback after the presumed free-agency departure of Matt Moore, but they have not publicly expressed any interest in a reunion.
Miami cut ties with the one-time Pro Bowler after a knee injury ended his preseason. He underwent surgery, and needed another procedure later in the fall. He also previously missed the entire 2011 season with a back ailment.
Garrard now says his knee is fully recuperated and he's well-rested.
Revisiting Garrard would make sense on the surface for the Dolphins, as he already has an established rapport with the team and he proved during training camp that he can capably run Miami's offense. At one point, he was the apparent frontrunner to be the 2012 Week 1 starter.
But age and injuries have added up for the long-time Jacksonville Jaguar, and he may prove too fragile to be relied on to back up Tannehill.
Nevertheless, Garrard is feeling confident in his return after he worked out for the New York Jets last week, the only known team to meet with the 35-year-old as of yet.
"It was a great workout," Garrard told Sirius XM NFL Radio on Monday, according to ESPN.com. "Every drill they had me do, I did great in. I felt like my old self again. They loved what they saw."
The Jets did not offer a contract at the time due to salary cap limitations, claimed Garrard. But he'd love the chance to both get back in the league and potentially compete with Mark Sanchez for a starting job.
"[It's] kind of unfortunate because I don't want to have to sit here without a job," Garrard said. "I definitely think it's the ideal situation."
He remains motivated and eager to make the most of a second chance in the league, wherever (and if) that may be.
“Getting back in the league is what I want,” Garrard added. “I want to be able to go out playing at a high level. I don’t want some freakish injuries to decide my career.”
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