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Philbin, Ross say quarterback is Dolphins’ highest priority

Joe Philbin speaks to the media after he was named head coach of the NFL's Miami Dolphins in Davie

Joe Philbin speaks to the media after he was named head coach of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins in Davie, Florida January 21, 2012. REUTERS/Andrew Innerarity (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

REUTERS

After Dolphins owner Stephen Ross introduced Joe Philbin on Saturday as the team’s new head coach, they both agreed that the next step in Miami is going to be identifying the right man to be the starting quarterback for years to come.

That job won’t be easy -- it’s a job they still haven’t accomplished in Miami since Dan Marino retired -- but Philbin said it’s a necessity if Miami is going to have the kind of offense that he coordinated in Green Bay.

“We want to be able to take advantage of structural weaknesses, matchup weaknesses in a defense,” Philbin said. “We are going to have players play fast and decisive and quick. I would love to say we’re going to score 560 points next year. I’m not sure yet. It’s a team game. We’ve got to get the quarterback help.”

The Dolphins want to upgrade from last year’s quarterbacks, first Chad Henne and then Matt Moore, and the most obvious way to do that would be to sign Matt Flynn, the Packers backup who looked good in limited action running Philbin’s offense in Green Bay.

Ross indicated that price won’t be an obstacle to getting the right quarterback in Miami.

“I’m looking for a franchise quarterback,” Ross said. “That’s the highest thing on our agenda.”

Those comments have to be music to the ears of Flynn’s agent.