Dolphins lose starting QB for season, but are no longer interested in Kyle Orton

Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne (7) lays on the ground after being injured in the first half against the San Diego Chargers during their NFL football game in San Diego, California October 2, 2011. (Photo by Mike Blake /Reutuers)

The Miami Dolphins just can’t get a break.

The winless Dolphins can’t seem to get wide receiver Brandon Marshall to catch anything and are finding out why New Orleans let running back Reggie Bush go in the offseason.  To top it all off, they found out on Thursday that starting quarterback Chad Henne is going to have season-ending surgery.

This leaves the Dolphins with fifth year quarterback Matt Moore as the starter.  After learning Henne would be out for the year, Miami went shopping for a veteran quarterback.

In August, the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins were prepared to trade quarterback Kyle Orton and a fourth round draft pick.  Before the deal was finalized however, Miami’s owner, Stephen Ross, declined to pay a three-year, $27 million contract extension to Orton that had already been agreed to, which blew up the deal, according to ESPN‘s Adam Schefter.

Two months later and four games into the season, Orton has completed 85-of-142 passes (59.9 completion percentage) for 945 yards and eight touchdowns against six interceptions and nine sacks.  Now down to one quarterback on the roster, are the Dolphins still interested?

Nah.

The Dolphins, rather than trying to revisit the Orton trade, looked at veterans Kellen Clemens, J.P. Losman, Jim Sorgi and Charlie Frye before finally coming to a deal with Sage Rosenfels.  Yes, Mr. Tries to be John Elway himself.

Moore will start over Rosenfels for now.  The Dolphins may also add another quarterback to the mix, but don’t expect them to pursue Kyle Orton.  In the 2007 NFL Draft, many were surprised that the Dolphins did not select Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn.

If the Dolphins tried to trade for a Broncos quarterback, it is likely that Denver would be more willing to give up Quinn than Orton.  Seeing as the Dolphins have already signed a veteran quarterback though, we don’t foresee any trades with the Broncos happening.

One wonders if the Dolphins are kicking themselves now for not selecting Quinn in 2007 and backing out of the Orton trade in the offseason.  Miami will play the Broncos in week seven and will honor quarterback Tim Tebow and the 2008 National Champion Florida Gators before the game.