(MIAMI) - Four days after coach Nick Saban stressed the importance of fortifying the quarterback position, the Dolphins began their search locally as they worked out former Browns quarterback Tim Couch.

Couch, who has lived in Fort Lauderdale with his wife, Heather, the past few years, underwent elbow and shoulder surgery in February and then was released by the Packers on Sept. 5.

Couch, the No. 1 pick of the 1999 draft, sat out the 2005 season. He was 22-37 as a starter with the expansion Browns during his first five seasons. He completed 1,025 of 1,714 passes for 11,131 yards, with 64 touchdown passes and 67 interceptions for a 75.1 passer-efficiency rating.

Couch, 28, also worked out for the Bengals last month.

Couch didn't return phone calls Friday, but he seemed excited about the possibility of playing for the Dolphins when contacted in August.

"[The Dolphins] would be perfect for me," Couch said. "I'm not sure what role they would want me to play, but I'm open to competition."

Dolphins starter Gus Frerotte, 34, seemed to grow more comfortable with offensive coordinator Scott Linehan's system as the season progressed. He was 9-6 in 15 starts and finished with a career-high 18 touchdown passes with 13 interceptions and 2,996 yards, his second highest total.

Linehan may not be around next season as he interviewed for head coaching vacancies at Houston on Wednesday and was in Chicago on Friday talking to the St. Louis Rams, who also were interviewing Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera.

"There is no doubt that quarterback is a critical position in every organization," Saban said on Monday. "That really has to be something that we look at to make a good assessment on how we move ahead at that position."

Backup Sage Rosenfels is a free agent and is expected to test the market. Third-string quarterback Cleo Lemon, who has yet to throw a pass in the NFL, is a long-term project at best.

Capers contacted

Saban has contacted former Houston Texans head coach Dom Capers about a position on his staff, a source said Friday.

Although fired by the Texans on Monday following a 2-14 season, Capers is considered one of the NFL's top defensive coaches. Capers has already received feelers from five other teams about defensive coordinator positions, the source said.

It's unknown whether Saban is discussing a defensive coordinator role with Capers. Richard Smith currently has the Dolphins' defensive coordinator title but splits responsibilities with assistant head coach/defense Will Muschamp.

Saban declined comment about the situation through a Dolphins spokesman. Jimmy Sexton, who is the agent for Saban and Capers, didn't return two telephone calls seeking comment.

Capers, 55, was Carolina's head coach from 1995 to 1998. He also served as defensive coordinator in Jacksonville (1999 and 2000) and Pittsburgh (1992 through 1994).

Capers is especially knowledgeable about the 3-4 defensive system the Dolphins deploy.

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