Quarterback controversy hits Dolphins during Titans game

Dave Wannstedt wasn’t happy with Jay Fiedler on Saturday, and the feeling was mutual.

Wannstedt benched Fiedler at halftime of the Miami Dolphins’ 17-7 loss to the Tennessee Titans, and the quarterback said he was disappointed about the quick hook.

“I’m frustrated because number one, we lost; number two, my play early on; number three, the frustration level of being pulled out of the game,” Fiedler said. “We were down one touchdown. I’ve been in a lot of games where I’ve struggled early and come back and won games.”

Fiedler can claim a hand in nine fourth-quarter comeback victories, but there was no rally against Tennessee as he watched newcomer A.J. Feeley play the last 30 minutes. The Dolphins trailed 7-0 when Fiedler was pulled, and the score was 17-0 before Feeley got them on the scoreboard, throwing a 15-yard touchdown pass to Randy McMichael with 3 minutes, 22 seconds left.

Wannstedt said he’ll study tape of the game before deciding on a starter next week at Cincinnati, but he praised the play of Feeley.

“He did a nice job throwing the ball,” Wannstedt said. “His accuracy showed up for the most part.”

Fiedler, Dan Marino’s successor, has never been a fan favorite, although he’s 36-18 as a starter. By the second quarter he was drawing boos.

“When you turn the ball over twice and don’t put any points on the board, that’s not good,” Wannstedt said.

Feeley was acquired in March to challenge for the No. 1 job, but when both passers struggled during the exhibition season, Wannstedt chose Fiedler to start the opener. A quarterback controversy helped get Wannstedt fired when he coached the Chicago Bears, and he risks one with his status in Miami tenuous.

“We can’t keep doing the shuffle during the season,” McMichael said. “It will affect chemistry.”

Said Feeley: “You can second-guess what’s going on now because we haven’t won.”

There’s also a risk of division between the sputtering offense and Miami’s fine defense, which limited Steve McNair and company to 255 yards.

“We played well enough to win,” defensive end Jason Taylor said. “You can’t turn the ball over in this league.”

Packers sign Harris to five-year extension

Another cornerback has surpassed Green Bay Packers holdout Mike McKenzie in compensation – and this time it’s his teammate.

Al Harris agreed to a five-year extension worth about $19 million, including more than $7 million in bonuses, his agent, Jack Bechta confirmed.

Bechta said he and Packers’ chief negotiator, Andrew Brandt, had been talking since July about a new deal for Harris, who will make $1.35 million this season.

Talks heated up after the 29-year-old Harris, a second-year starter, capitalized on McKenzie’s absence to showcase his work ethic and take rookies Ahmad Carroll and Joey Thomas under his tutelage, along with Canadian Leaguer Jason Horton, during training camp.

Harris refused to call it ironic that he got the big boost in pay that McKenzie has been angling for by staying away all offseason and threatening to retire if he’s not traded.

“Honestly, I haven’t been thinking about any contract stuff,” Harris said. “Just going out and playing. You know what I mean? Because your play really dictates what happens on the business part of it.”

McKenzie, who has three years left on a five-year, $17.1 million contract he signed in January 2002, became upset this winter when several cornerbacks of lesser talent surpassed him in compensation. He has refused to report and will miss his first weekly paycheck of $161,000 after the Packers’ game Monday night at Carolina.

Bechta’s business partner, Brian Parker, was McKenzie’s agent until dropping him as a client last summer. Drew Rosenhaus now represents McKenzie.

“I’m happy to be here as far as long term. I was happy that they traded for me and gave me the opportunity,” Harris said.

Around the league

Minnesota right tackle Mike Rosenthal signed a six-year contract extension. The deal was worth about $15 million, including $3 million in guaranteed money. … New York Giants cornerback Frank Walker broke a bone in his right foot and will not play in today’s opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s not clear how long Walker will be sidelined, Giants spokesman Avis Roper said. The team did not say how he broke his foot.