SAN DIEGO - It's Brian Griese at quarterback tonight for the Dolphins.
The son of former Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese will make his first start in aqua and orange, replacing injured starter Jay Fiedler.
Although Dolphins players are not allowed to speak with local media the day before the game, Griese was escorted to interviews with both ABC-TV, which is broadcasting tonight's game from Phoenix, and ESPN. Both interviews were to gather information before tonight's broadcast, as the two networks generally interview the starting quarterback the day before games.
Griese was introduced by club media relations officials as tonight's starter.
Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt also did not talk to local reporters other than to issue a statement about moving the game to Phoenix through the team's media relations department, but he also confirmed to ABC and ESPN that Griese will start.
The Dolphins are not even certain whether Fiedler, who's left knee is unstable because he has a sprained medial collateral ligament, will be the No. 2 or emergency No. 3 quarterback tonight, according to a team source.
That decision will be made during warm-ups several hours before the game when Fiedler tests his limits on the field.
Griese, 28, started 51 games for the Denver Broncos from 1999-2002 before signing with the Dolphins this offseason. And they got him for situational just like this.
Last season Fiedler missed six games because of injury, and the Dolphins posted a 2-4 record in those games. The coaching staff wanted to upgrade at the backup quarterback spot this season to ease the blow of losing Fiedler for any period of time.
Griese has played five games against the San Diego Chargers.
''I know them pretty well,'' he said earlier this week. ``It will be strange not seeing Junior Seau and Rodney Harrison playing defense for them, but that's probably a good thing.''
The son of former Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese will make his first start in aqua and orange, replacing injured starter Jay Fiedler.
Although Dolphins players are not allowed to speak with local media the day before the game, Griese was escorted to interviews with both ABC-TV, which is broadcasting tonight's game from Phoenix, and ESPN. Both interviews were to gather information before tonight's broadcast, as the two networks generally interview the starting quarterback the day before games.
Griese was introduced by club media relations officials as tonight's starter.
Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt also did not talk to local reporters other than to issue a statement about moving the game to Phoenix through the team's media relations department, but he also confirmed to ABC and ESPN that Griese will start.
The Dolphins are not even certain whether Fiedler, who's left knee is unstable because he has a sprained medial collateral ligament, will be the No. 2 or emergency No. 3 quarterback tonight, according to a team source.
That decision will be made during warm-ups several hours before the game when Fiedler tests his limits on the field.
Griese, 28, started 51 games for the Denver Broncos from 1999-2002 before signing with the Dolphins this offseason. And they got him for situational just like this.
Last season Fiedler missed six games because of injury, and the Dolphins posted a 2-4 record in those games. The coaching staff wanted to upgrade at the backup quarterback spot this season to ease the blow of losing Fiedler for any period of time.
Griese has played five games against the San Diego Chargers.
''I know them pretty well,'' he said earlier this week. ``It will be strange not seeing Junior Seau and Rodney Harrison playing defense for them, but that's probably a good thing.''
Thanks Wil. The Chargers may have some value tonight. I might play Chargers and under if I can pick up at least a 7. Not much confidence in it but hope for a low scoring defensive minded ballgame. They may not want to put much on Griese tonight other than handing the ball off to Ricky.
Miami 17-14
Miami 17-14
