Miami Dolphins starting Ryan Fitzpatrick is the right move
Going with the veteran instead of the rookie is always a smart move, especially how this offseason has gone.
The Miami Dolphins have a quarterback competition brewing in training camp, but it’s not going to be hard to spoil the outcome. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tua Tagovailoa are the two who are battling for the opportunity to start in Week 1 but it looks like the Dolphins are set on who will be under center when they take on the Patriots.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the expectation is that Fitzpatrick will be named the starting quarterback for Miami’s opener. Even though head coach Brian Flores didn’t specifically name a starter, it would be the right move for him to go with the bearded veteran over the rookie from Alabama.
Going with Fitzpatrick as the starter isn’t about Tagovailoa’s health. He has been cleared in that aspect and has participated in training camp at full go. It is more about nurturing him and allowing him to develop without the pressure of being the starter and needing to be great right away. The Dolphins are allowing him to get acclimated to their offense and if he ends up beating out Fitzpatrick, that is great. He isn’t there yet and they are not going to rush Tagovailoa into something he is not prepared for.
Fitzpatrick’s Familiarity is an important factor in making him the starter
Given that the NFL has had to conduct offseason workouts and programs prior to training camp due to the coronavirus pandemic, it makes more sense to have Fitzpatrick start out the season. He is familiar with the offensive scheme, having played in it last year. There is also the factor that Chan Gailey was hired as the offensive coordinator for the Dolphins. He and Fitzpatrick worked together when they were with the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills. That relationship is very important in this offseason, another reason why starting the 16-year vet makes more sense.
All rookies are at a disadvantage in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the fifth overall pick is no exception. Not being able to workout with your teammates and build that chemistry is something many rookie quarterbacks rely on during OTAs. Not to mention having to learn an NFL playbook in a virtual setting. No matter how intelligent or ready to go Tagovailoa might be, giving him more time to learn, and easing him into the offense is better than throwing him out there when the Dolphins don’t need to.
Starting Fitzpatrick is the right move for Week 1, but that doesn’t mean Tagovailoa won’t have a chance to touch the field this season. If Fitzpatrick struggles as the starter early or gets injured, that will be an opportunity for the rookie to get the nod and become the starter (if he beats out Josh Rosen for the second-string spot). Tagovailoa has been performing pretty well at camp and given that he was the No. 5 overall pick, that QB2 spot should be his to lose.
With the quarterback battle being unofficially over in Miami, putting Ryan Fitzpatrick in the huddle as the starter in week one is the safe, and smart choice. With Tua Tagovailoa being the Dolphins’ QB of the future, giving him time to develop is best for him and the franchise. There is still a little bit of magic left in Fitzmagic, as we saw him make some plays during the 2019 season. Giving him the rock in Week 1 still makes the Dolphins a competitive squad, and provides more time for Tua to get more accustomed to the NFL.