DAVIE, Fla. (May 3, 2006) -- Bypassed in the NFL draft, former Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick will try out with the Miami Dolphins when he takes part in their three-day rookie minicamp beginning May 5.
Vick's troubled career at Virginia Tech included repeated brushes with the law and ended when he was kicked off the team in January after his junior season. He's the brother of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick.
Vick's presence at the camp was confirmed by Tommy Reamon, his high school coach in Newport News, Va.
The Dolphins declined to identify players invited to the camp. A statement by coach Nick Saban suggested that Vick and other invitees may be long shots to receive a contract offer.
"As we did last year, we are going to bring in a number of unsigned players to our rookie minicamp, strictly for evaluation purposes," Saban said. "This doesn't mean we are about to offer any of them a contract. All we are doing is finding out as much as possible about each of these players. This is a continuation of our overall evaluation process and does not imply a commitment of any kind."
The Dolphins, who drafted two receivers but no quarterbacks last weekend, were in the market for passers at the rookie minicamp.
Reamon said he talked with Vick about the tryout.
"He's excited. We're all excited," Reamon said. "This is the steal of the draft class. He's the most versatile player the Dolphins have had in years."
Vick passed for 2,393 yards and 17 touchdowns last season for the Hokies and led them to the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game. But he made an obscene gesture at fans during a game at West Virginia, and he stomped on the leg of a fallen opponent in the Gator Bowl.
Tech suspended him from school in 2004 because of legal problems, and he was stopped in December for speeding and driving with a revoked or suspended license, which led to his dismissal from the team.
Michael Vick recently said his brother has matured greatly over the past few months but needs someone "to take him under their wing."
Reamon said Vick is eager to another chance.
"He made decisions that were out of character and wrong, and he has learned from them," the coach said. "He's asking for an opportunity."
Miami has three quarterbacks on the roster -- newly acquired Daunte Culpepper, Cleo Lemon and Brock Berlin. Saban hopes to add as his No. 2 quarterback former Detroit starter Joey Harrington, either in a trade or after he's released by the Lions.
