The Dolphins starting quarterback competition this year has always felt like a formality, as everyone knew eventually it was going to be Ryan Tannehill, whether this year or next.
Well, the process could be moving faster than anyone expected.
According to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald, Tannehill took his first live work with the starters Thursday, snaps coach Joe Philbin said he “earned.”
Midway through this morning’s practice, Tannehill replaced Matt Moore with the ones. Previously, Moore and David Garrard were alternating days with the starters. Philbin said that all three were tied on a statistical basis through five days of camp (though Tannehill missed the first two).
“I think it’s on an as-earned basis,” Philbin said. “He’s throwing the ball well enough in the couple of days he’s been at practice. It’s been earned.”
Given his bond with offensive coordinator Mike Sherman (his college coach), any promotion comes as no surprise, just the pace. But Tannehill has impressed in his short time in camp.
“He’s a smart kid, got a great arm,” tight end Anthony Fasano said. “He really anticipates where the opening’s going to be and where the open receiver will be.
“He’s a lot further along than any rookie quarterback that I’ve seen.”
The Dolphins would be wise to keep Moore and Garrard in the mix, to push the first-round pick and to keep an engaged passer in case the Tannehill experiment doesn’t work. Moore’s traditionally been more successful as a relief pitcher anyway, so if Tannehill flames out early, the Dolphins have a guy they know can pick up the pieces.