Fitzpatrick still leads QB battle for Miami
But the team hopes the ‘light bulb goes off’ for Rosen
Thursday may have been the first day of Miami Dolphins training camp before the 2019 season, but not much has changed in the team’s quarterback competition since they last convened on the practice fields for offseason workouts three months ago.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, the wily veteran entering his 15th season, remains in the lead of the battle, vacant after the trade of former starter Ryan Tannehill after last season.
Second-year newcomer Josh Rosen, acquired in an April trade following his rookie season with the Arizona Cardinals, still has a significant amount of room to grow.
And as the Dolphins begin their preparation for Brian Flores’ first season as NFL coach, Flores does not have a “concrete deadline” when he will name a starter. The Dolphins will evaluate the positon for as long as they need to before the season begins on Sept. 8, hosting the Baltimore Ravens at Hard Rock Stadium.
But, there is something Flores, other members of the Dolphins franchise, and fans of the team desire at some point in the near future.
“In this league, with the players in this league, and how guys develop, and the light bulb goes off for certain guys at certain points, there are changes to be made,” Flores said.
“And that’s a good thing.”
Flores and the Dolphins know Rosen could be a component of their future.
In the meantime, however, there’s another quarterback who is moving the needle.
Fitzpatrick came to Miami, joining his eighth NFL team after a two-year stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he earned some playing time over Jameis Winston, with hopes of winning a starting job at this stage of his career.
Fitzpatrick said several times Thursday he is focused on being the best version of himself, hoping to recreate the Fitzmagic he did a year ago, when he threw for more than 400 yards with 11 touchdowns in the first three games of last season.
He threw touchdowns to a number of Dolphins players, including receivers Kenny Stills, DeVante Parker, Isaiah Ford, running back Kalen Ballage and tight end Mike Gesicki at different points through the first practice.
“I enjoy being out here playing football and getting every [repetition] I get,” Fitzpatrick said. “I know in this league, it’s hard to come by opportunities and you do the best you can to take advantage of each one you get.”
Fitzpatrick took the majority, if not all, of the snaps with the first team offense during the first training camp practice, while Rosen later acknowledged how a slow start resulted in more time with the second team.
Rosen did have a highlight play, throwing a touchdown pass to tight end Nick O’Leary during red-zone 11-on-11s drills toward the end of practice. He also threw touchdown passes to receivers Brice Butler and Trenton Irwin at other points.
But Rosen did have to run twice over to the Dolphins’ new T.N.T. wall — a reminder it “takes no talent” to avoid mistakes. One
of the reasons was a botched handoff between him and former University of Miami running back Mark Walton.
“I thought I had a slow start, but I finished strong,” Rosen said. “I just have to get used to everything — teammates, offense, situations, all that.”
Rosen’s transition to Miami in his second NFL season also includes mastering a new offense from his sixth offensive coordinator – now new Dolphins assistant Chad O’Shea.
The transition of assistant Jim Caldwell from quarterback coach to a consultant role also hinders Rosen’s progress. The Dolphins announced Caldwell is taking a leave of absence for undisclosed health reasons.
Flores, O’Shea, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier, and the Dolphins players know Rosen will need time for that light bulb to brighten —
whether it happens during training camp, at some point during the season, or at some point during the three years left on his rookie contract remains to be seen.
At this point, however, Rosen isn’t making any declarations to win the starting job or openly embracing a backup role. He hopes to build on his performances in practice, and is in no rush to handle more than he can at this juncture of his career.
“I don’t mean to sound like a broken record. It’s not a rehearsed thing. But it’s just literally getting better day by day, and trying to improve,” Rosen said when asked about what he wants to accomplish this season.
“It’s not about taking a massive step forward. It’s about continuing to grow, and continuing to make positive progress. … I’m trying to get better, master this offense, and get more and more comfortable.”