MIAMI (AP) — If the Miami Dolphins keep losing, perhaps they'll finally take a quarterback in the first round of the draft next year.
Not even the dysfunctional Dolphins would pass up a chance at Andrew Luck, would they?
Despite having a bye this past weekend, winless Miami suffered another loss when quarterback Chad Henne was ruled out for the season because of a shoulder injury. No wonder the team's shrinking fan base is already looking ahead to 2012, savoring the prospect of a shot at Luck.
First there's the minor detail of playing 12 more games and trying to get into the win column — or not. At 0-4, the Dolphins were tied with three other teams in the race to the bottom for a chance to draft Luck, the Stanford quarterback touted as a can't-miss prospect.
Miami's seven-game losing streak is the NFL's longest, leaving coach Tony Sparano's job in jeopardy. The dreaded vote of confidence this week from owner Stephen Ross ensured Sparano will be around for at least one more game — at the New York Jets on Monday night, Oct. 17.
“It just takes a win to get yourself going,” Sparano said. “Right now that's all we're worried about.”
A dramatic turnaround seems improbable, however, and fans have begun to embrace the slogan “Suck for Luck.” If that's the goal, the rest of 2011 offers promise.
It was just four years ago that the Dolphins lost their first 13 games, and a similar streak is possible, although they'll likely be favored for the first time this season Oct. 23 at home against Denver. Their game Nov. 6 at Kansas City shapes up as a potential Luck Bowl.
The Dolphins haven't taken a quarterback in the first round since drafting Dan Marino in 1983, which helps explain why they've started 15 QBs since he retired.
Photo: Andrew Luck
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