Ryan Glasspiegel
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Brian Flores, the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, told reporters today that Ryan Fitzpatrick will be their starting quarterback next Sunday versus the New England Patriots.
This news was expected as all indications over the last few weeks and even beyond were that Fitzpatrick would be Miami’s starter at the outset of the season. However, it’ll be interesting to monitor how long the team rolls with Fitzpatrick before deeming fifth overall pick Tua Tagovailoa ready to take the job.
Trying to figure out when this will happen essentially amounts to a speculative guessing game. This would always be the case, but it’s even more true now considering that there were no NFL preseason games where Tagovailoa could be evaluated against live competition.
All we have to go by now is the word that Tagovailoa was really impressive at training camp. While that’s promising, we rarely hear about a highly touted prospect disappointing in camp, and even if he were truly great there it’s not the same as seeing it in a preseason game.
Last week, Flores emphasized that they might hold Tagovailoa out for a bit due to the leg injury he suffered as Alabama quarterback.
“That is definitely part of the conversation, for sure,” Flores said, via Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post. “We’re at 10 months. It was a pretty serious injury. He looks good, though, you guys have seen him. He looks good. He looks healthy. He’s moving around, to his right and to his left. But yes that is part of the conversation. Look, he’s a great kid. I care about him. I want what’s best for him. And that’s definitely part of the conversation.”
It seems likely Tagovailoa will get a shot at starter sometime this season, but when that’ll be is anyone’s guess.
About 5 games, 3 that will have the clones at ESPN doing the whole “Fitzmagic” schtick, followed by 2 games where he sucks and looks like a History professor trying to play quarterback.
When it’s good, it’s great!!
This was the expected and was discussed when drafted. The hip is healthy enough to start and play. It is hard enough for any rookie QB to transition to NFL play in normal circumstances. With no offseason program, no preseason games and limited training camp, that task is made much harder.
Being healthy enough to start is different than staying healthy which he had trouble doing at the college level certainly won’t be any easier at this level. I guess time will tell Fitzpatrick can win some games he has proven that and as they say the best ability is availability.