MIAMI DOLPHINS

QB search turns to CFL

Miami will bring in Edmonton's Ricky Ray for a workout as it explores different options to improve its quarterback position.

BY JASON COLE

jcole@herald.com

 

 

Ricky Ray

 

 

 

 

MOBILE - The Dolphins' search for a quarterback will continue next week when they bring in the Edmonton Eskimos' Ricky Ray, considered the top young passer in the Canadian Football League.

 

Dolphins general manager Rick Spielman and agent Ken Staninger, who represents Ray, said Ray is expected to work out for Miami early next week, likely Tuesday. Ray, 24, led Edmonton to the Grey Cup title in November, completing 22 of 34 passes for 301 yards, two touchdown passes and no interceptions against Montreal. He also ran for a score.

 

''He'll be in at some point when everybody gets back from the Senior Bowl,'' Spielman said.

 

The Dolphins -- hoping to improve their quarterback situation -- are considering whether to sign a veteran or bring back Jay Fiedler and draft a rookie.

 

Spielman was asked to compare the 6-3, 210-pound Ray to former CFL standout Jeff Garcia, who went on to become a Pro Bowl player with the San Francisco 49ers.

 

''He's bigger, probably not as athletic,'' Spielman said. ``But he's a good enough athlete.''

 

Ray has improved drastically after being an undrafted free agent out of Sacramento State in 2001. Spielman said questions remain about Ray's ability to make a transition to the NFL.

 

''That's like these college kids,'' Spielman said, referring to the players he has scouted this week at Senior Bowl practices. ``Have they learned enough at the college level to make a smooth transition to the NFL? It's a different game [in Canada], but he has gotten a lot better from when he first came out. Playing up there has helped his development.''

 

Ray worked out for 11 teams Dec. 14 at the Denver Broncos' training facility and is expected to work individually for three teams, including the Dolphins, Staninger said.

 

Among the teams that have expressed interest aside from the Dolphins are the Broncos, Cleveland, Green Bay, Chicago, Baltimore, Carolina, Buffalo, Dallas, Seattle, the New York Jets, Tampa Bay, Kansas City and Houston.

 

''There haven't been any offers, but there have been a couple of teams that have said they're prepared to make offers,'' Staninger said. ``I've told them that we want to finish this process and then we'll talk about offers.

 

``We'll probably get to that by the end of next week.''

 

Ray was with San Francisco in training camp in 2001 but was released after one exhibition game. He played for the Fresno Frenzy of the Arena2 League and spent 2002 and 2003 with Edmonton, starting 10 games as a rookie in 2002.

 

Ray completed 348 of 515 passes (67.6 percent) for 4,600 yards, 35 touchdowns and 13 interceptions this past season. He compiled a QB rating of 108.1.

 

Dolphins linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, who played five years in the CFL, faced Ray in 2002. He says Ray is an excellent prospect.

 

''He's a little bigger than Jay, but he's the same kind of athlete in terms of moving around,'' Ayanbadejo said.

 

Ray is the third quarterback from the CFL whom the Dolphins have looked at the past five years. The team had Garcia in for a workout before the 1999 season and signed former CFL standout Dave Dickenson in 2002.

 

Interesting..

 

We could have had Jeff Garcia. :banghead

 

Miami Herald Article

wow we could have had JGarcia....who dropped the ball on that one...

this guy sounds good

 

the cfl is nothing compared to the nfl, but its had some legit players (see moon, flutie, jgarcia). worth a look