The buzz out of Miami has been that rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill will be a minor player in the Dolphins’ quarterback competition.
Several media reports have pushed Matt Moore and David Garrard as the contenders for the starting job with Tannehill taking a back seat as he adjusts to life in the NFL. The team hasn’t made any public proclamations on the matter, but one of their players agrees with the media’s take. Reggie Bush told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that he thinks Tannehill is ticketed for the third string for the time being.
“I would probably agree with you on that,” Bush said. “Ryan can watch the veterans and learn. When he gets the call, he’ll be ready.”
Jackson shares the widespread media view that Garrard is the leader in the race at this point, although Bush did not share his thoughts on that part of the question. He’s coming off a serious back injury, though, and he’s definitely not the long-term solution at the position. Moore has salvaged some lost causes in Carolina and Miami, but he’s never been the starter over the course of an entire season.
Given those realities, Tannehill’s spot on the depth chart could change fairly quickly even if he does start the year at the bottom of the pile.