DAVIE, Fla. (AP) – The Miami Dolphins gave A.J. Feeley every opportunity to win the starting quarterback job this season. They did the same thing with Brian Griese and Damon Huard in recent years.

Jay Fiedler beat them all.

Fiedler was named Miami’s starter for the fifth consecutive season Tuesday following a six-month competition with Feeley. But coach Dave Wannstedt stressed that the decision was effective only for Sunday’s season opener against Tennessee.

“Jay is starting because he gives the team the best chance to win this week,” said Wannstedt, refusing to go into much detail. “Next week is like a whole other world to me. We’ve got to focus and make each game a life of its own, a battle of its own.”

Fiedler completed 20 of 33 passes for 199 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions during the preseason, staying healthy through training camp for the first time in five years. Feeley went 23-of-41 for 244 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.

The 32-year-old Fiedler previously beat back challenges from Griese (in 2003) and Huard (in 2000). But the Dolphins clearly wanted Feeley to be their quarterback – for this season and the future.

They traded a second-round draft pick in March for Feeley, who had been Philadelphia’s third-string quarterback. Then they signed him to a five-year deal worth $21.6 million.

The team also gave Fiedler permission to pursue a trade. He briefly tested the market before agreeing to a restructured contract with the Dolphins that eliminated the $2 million bonus he was due to collect in April.

Fiedler has never been a popular figure with fans in Miami even though he is 35-17 in four seasons as a starter.

Not only did he have to replace Dan Marino, but he also was widely blamed for the team not making the playoffs the last two seasons.

He missed six starts in 2002, and the Dolphins went 2-4 with Ray Lucas under center.

Last season, Fiedler threw more interceptions (13) than touchdown passes (11).

Nonetheless, he’s back in the starting lineup.

“He’s performing better than he ever has,” Wannstedt said. “If he plays that way, we’ll be fine.”

If not, then Feeley will get a shot.

Feeley said he thought he played well enough to win the starting job, but got the bad news during a brief conversation with Wannstedt on Monday.

“You always want to be the guy, so there has to be some sort of disappointment,” Feeley said. “It’s not my call. I just know I’m on the other end of it and I just have to deal with it.

“The call was made so there’s no reason to look back. You have to move on.”

The 27-year-old Feeley has made just 13 starts since high school – eight at Oregon while playing behind Akili Smith and Joey Harrington, and five with the Eagles while playing behind Donovan McNabb and Koy Detmer.

Now he’ll start the season behind Fiedler – just like Griese and Huard did.

“Anytime you’re not the guy it’s hard to swallow, but you have to do it,” Feeley said.