Professor

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/dolphin...fins_0310.html

DAVIE — New Dolphins quarterback Josh McCown boarded an airplane Sunday, bound for his fourth team in four years.

McCown knows the routine well.

The life of an NFL nomad gets a little easier with each change of scenery.

"It's tough, but we have it down to a science now," he said by phone Sunday from Oakland International Airport. "We move so quickly."

But McCown, who is 28 with a wife and four young children, wouldn't go through another relocation if he didn't believe success awaited him in South Florida. The McCowns still own a home they can't sell in Detroit, a remnant of a lost season as a backup, in 2006, with the Lions. McCown rushed to the airport Sunday following an open house at their home in the Oakland area.

"I'm chasing a dream and my family has done well to help me and oblige me in doing that," said McCown, a third-round pick by Arizona out of Sam Houston State in 2002.

McCown, who has 31 NFL starts and 35 touchdown passes in six seasons, and John Beck, coming off a tough rookie season, are in line to compete for the starting job. The Dolphins are expected to use next month's draft to add another quarterback.

"I plan to win the job," said McCown, who led Arizona to six wins in 13 starts in 2004, only to see the club sign veteran Kurt Warner in the off-season. "It's a great opportunity. It's the first time I've had all the details I've looked for in a situation."

In Oakland last season, McCown won the starting job last summer, but knew his days were numbered because the team had drafted JaMarcus Russell with the No. 1 pick.

"All he was doing was holding the torch for awhile. He knew that," said Raiders radio analyst Tom Flores. "He was a realist."

So when the Dolphins offered McCown a two-year deal on Feb. 29, he jumped at a chance to become the team's 13th starting quarterback since Dan Marino retired after the 1999 season. Few question if the 6-foot-4, 215-pound McCown has the tools to become an effective NFL quarterback. He's mobile, competitive and has enough arm strength.

"He reminds you of (2002 NFL MVP) Rich Gannon when you see him at times when he's at his best," Flores said. "(McCown) has the physical ability. He has to cut down some of the decision-making errors."

McCown, who has 40 interceptions and 39 fumbles (14 lost), hopes his career continues to progress like Gannon and a couple of other Bay Area legends - Super Bowl winners Jim Plunkett and Steve Young. They didn't hit their stride until their 30s.

"Those guys are major encouragement to me," McCown said.

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