On Thursday the Miami Dolphins put a puzzled look on the face of many football fans when they invited Quincy Carter to workout at the quarterback position in camp. One can only speculate where this idea came from; most likely it was Bill Parcells’ idea. Parcells was Carter’s coach with the Dallas Cowboys in 2003, Carter’s last full season in the NFL, when the Cowboys went 10-6 and made the playoffs. 2003 was Carter’s one and only full season in the NFL during which he threw for 3,302 yds 17 TDs and 21 INTs.

Carter would bring a knowledge of the offensive scheme that new head coach Tony Sparano will be working with, a system that at least initially appears to be difficult for John Beck, Chad Henne, and Josh McCown to figure out.

On the other hand, Carter brings with baggage. We aren’t talking about a former All Pro at his position attempting to come back after several years out of football. At best, Carter was mediocre in his career. While he brings mobility to the position, he had fumble issues in Dallas and was not the most accurate passer. On top of all that, let us not forget Carter didn’t leave football because of injury or premature retirement. The Cowboys cut him in 2004 after a string of drug related charges.

With gaping holes at WR, three question marks at QB, and a defense that for the first time in 10 years won’t have former pillars Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor, the Dolphins have enough tasks on their hands without digging up Quincy Carter for a try out. Today was one day lost that could have been spent evaluating Beck, Henne, and McCown and maybe, just maybe, helping these guys figure out the system.