Freeman well-rested as he mounts comeback with Dolphins

MIAMI (AP) Quarterback Josh Freeman notes at least one benefit from being out of work last season - he's well-rested.

The former first-round draft pick says he's fit and has a healthy attitude too as he joins the Miami Dolphins to compete for a backup job behind Ryan Tannehill.

''I'm coming into it with a very humble mentality, a beginner's mentality,'' Freeman said Friday. ''Quarterback is what I've always done, and I have a lot of confidence in myself as a quarterback. At the same time, you come into it with a beginner's mentality and just work my butt off.''

Freeman signed a one-year contract Thursday hoping to mount a career comeback. He has 60 career starts but hasn't played since October 2013.

''One of the benefits of not playing is not to have bumps and bruises that I might have had,'' he said. ''My body feels great. I feel just as good or as better when I was 22 or 23 years old. I don't really feel like I am 27, but I looked at it on paper - I am kind of old.''

Freeman threw for 27 touchdowns and 4,065 yards with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012, but he was released during the 2013 season.

Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey was with the Bucs when they drafted Freeman in 2009.

''I felt very comfortable around Dennis, very comfortable with the Dolphins organization,'' Freeman said. ''He told me a lot about the team and the things they have going on. It's a very, very exciting time to be a Miami Dolphin. That's really what was very enticing to me.''

Freeman will compete with backup quarterback Matt Moore, who has been with the Dolphins since 2011.