PALM BEACH GARDENS — What could have been a dream scenario for Dolphins fans became nothing more than a tease.
Former Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn, surrounded by South Florida media on Tuesday, talked about how he'd be disappointed if he couldn't crack the starting lineup as a rookie
But Brady Quinn, in town for the NFL's rookie symposium at PGA National, wore a Cleveland Browns shirt. He said he was stunned when the Dolphins passed over him and instead drafted Ohio State receiver Ted Ginn Jr. with the ninth pick in the NFL Draft.
"At that point we pretty much thought it was a done deal," Brady Quinn said.
Brady Quinn said Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis had talked with the Dolphins, and was led to believe Miami would select Brady Quinn if he was available.
"That was something said to (Weis by the Dolphins)," Brady Quinn said.
Weis and Dolphins officials were unavailable for comment Tuesday, but Brady Quinn said he's come to terms with being drafted No. 22 overall - far below his projected status. The Dolphins elected to go with Ginn, before drafting quarterback John Beck out of Brigham Young in the second round.
"A team's going to pick based on what they need," Brady Quinn said. "Maybe (drafting Ginn and Beck is) what they wanted all along and they were trying to hide that."
On Tuesday all 255 rookies participated in a clinic with kids from the Palm Beach Gardens Pop Warner football team.
Ginn and Beck were there, signing autographs and receiving their share of media interest. But the spotlight was on Brady Quinn, the highest-profile rookie despite his draft free fall.
Dolphins fans, hoping for a long-term solution at quarterback, wanted that spotlight to take place in Miami.
"When it got to the Dolphins' pick, I knew there'd be a lot of pressure (for Miami to draft him) just because he was predicted to go so high," Beck said. "I don't think anybody would have guessed him to fall (past the Dolphins)."
Brady Quinn said that a week after the draft, his friends e-mailed him a video clip on YouTube of the Dolphins' draft party fiasco. Fans booed coach Cam Cameron, and walked out of Dolphins headquarters after the team passed on Brady Quinn.
"It feels good that a team's fans would feel that way about you," Brady Quinn said.
Brady Quinn spent hours waiting to be drafted while cameras chronicled his obvious frustration before he and his agent were led to a private room. The Browns eventually took him with the 22nd pick, though many anticipated they would draft him with the third overall pick.
Instead, the Browns went with offensive tackle Joe Thomas at No. 3, and then traded up to select Brady Quinn at No. 22.
The difference cost Brady Quinn millions of dollars, and his contract negotiations with Cleveland are stalling.
Cleveland coach Romeo Crennel said Brady Quinn is in the running with Charlie Frye and Derek Anderson for the starting job. But Brady Quinn may hold out while trying to land a contract for more money than is typical of a 22nd pick.
"I have complete faith in ... the Browns in getting this done," Brady Quinn said. "I'd think they'd want to get me signed if they want me to compete for the starting job."
Brady Quinn spoke with Beck this week, but Brady Quinn sees Miami's decision coming down to the Dolphins wanting Ginn over Brady Quinn, and not necessarily Beck over Brady Quinn.
"There's so much emphasis put on where guys go in the draft," Brady Quinn said. "You never look back at Tom Brady and say, 'Oh, he was a sixth-round pick, that's miraculous.' He was a great player all along.
"(Not drafting me) was something between (Dolphins General Manager) Randy Mueller and Coach Cameron and I don't have any hard feelings toward them. That was their decision, and Ted Ginn's a great player. I'm sure they're going to be happy with him."
