The St. Louis Post-Dispatch confirms free agent David Garrard will visit the Rams if he leaves Miami without a contract. Garrard could be in position to compete for the Dolphins' starting job, so it's quite possible he won't make it out of South Beach. The Rams were forced to give heavy snaps to A.J. Feeley and Kellen Clemens as Sam Bradford struggled with an ankle injury last season, and have been aggressive in their search for a better backup.

Free agent David Garrard's second stop on his free agent tour this week is expected to be with the Rams. Garrard will meet with the Dolphins on Monday. The Rams will be up next, per the Florida Times-Union. In St. Louis, a healthy Garrard could be a sizable upgrade on outgoing backup A.J. Feeley behind Sam Bradford. Bradford's development has also stalled enough that it's not out of the question Garrard could emerge as a starter there if Bradford started the season slowly.

NFL.com's Jason La Canfora reports free agent David Garrard will visit the Dolphins this week. The Dolphins are entering the "hail mary" phase of their never-ending quarterback search. If healthy, Garrard would arguably be a better option than free agent Alex Smith, but assuming he could stay on the field would be a tremendous leap of faith after he missed his entire age-33 campaign with back issues. The Dolphins are putting the screws to free agent Matt Flynn, and it could propel him to sign with the Seahawks.

Free agent David Garrard has reiterated he's willing to accept a backup job. "David informed me not to turn down any team's inquiry," his player rep told MLive.com. "He wants to examine every situation. He is open to compete for a starting job, assume the starting job, or backup the current starter." Garrard's agent expects him to become a "hot quarterback" once Peyton Manning is off the market. Garrard will be limited to backup offers after sitting out the entire 2011 season with back issues.

Free agent David Garrard (back surgery) declared himself 100 percent healthy in a Tuesday radio interview. Garrard also estimated he's "90 to 95 percent toward being in football shape." Willing to accept a backup job, Garrard's stated desire is to land somewhere where he'll have "the best guys around me that are all proven." Provided he can pass a physical, Garrard should draw plenty of interest as a reserve.

Free agent David Garrard will begin working out for NFL teams around April 1. Garrard initially hoped to do visits and workouts around the start of free agency (March 13), but a case of strep throat set back his conditioning. While the Denver Post previously floated Garrard as a possible backup for Tim Tebow, the paper now expects the Broncos to fill that opening before Garrard's workout.

Free agent David Garrard's (back surgery) top free agent priority is to land with a team stocked with talent at the skill positions. "So when my name is called I've got the best guys around me that are all proven," explained Garrard. "That city, the fans, the team itself, the skill players, the coaches, the system, all those things I get to take in account and weigh my options." Garrard is willing to accept a backup job coming off back surgery.

Free agent David Garrard (back surgery) says he's "90 to 95 percent healthy," and that he expects to begin working out for interested teams in March. "My back is pretty much totally healed," Garrard said Tuesday. "I've been running and lifting and really getting comfortable being an athlete." Garrard also insisted he's serious about playing in 2012. "I am definitely fed up with sitting around and not being on a team ... this past year was an eye opener to the retired life, and I'm definitely not ready for that."

The player rep for David Garrard expects the free agent to be recovered from back surgery by mid-March or early April, and insists Garrard is intent on playing in 2012. "He is open to all teams and any situation that makes sense for him and the team," added the agent. Garrard's willingness to accept a backup role is key, as he's now 34 years old and dealing with what appears to be a chronic back condition.

ESPN Chicago's Mike Wright suggests the Bears might pursue free agent David Garrard as a backup to Jay Cutler this offseason. Garrard is actually eligible to be signed immediately because he was cut last year and never resurfaced. New Bears OC Mike Tice was on staff with the Jaguars when Garrard broke into the league in 2002. We can't even recall the last time the Bears had a serviceable backup QB. Garrard could end that trend.