Probably the juiciest story line for the Miami Dolphins right now and for the next few months is, who will be the starting QB come week 1? Will it be Ryan Fitzpatrick, who signed a 2 year $11m deal in the middle of March, or will it be second year and former 10th overall pick in last year’s draft Josh Rosen? Not that I have any insider information, but I’m very confident that Josh Rosen will be the opening day starter.
Let it be said that I have decent odds on this, so if me or anyone else thinks Rosen will be starting week 1 that isn’t really going out on a limb like calling a 16 seed over a 1 seed. There’s only two choices so settle down with proclamations and patting yourself on the back. I just see no way that Fitzpatrick beats out Rosen in camp even if he looks really good. Everyone, including the coaching staff knows what Fitzpatrick brings to the table. He’s entering his 15th season, so he is what he is. He’s a guy that will play very gritty, practice like a professional, who can win some games while also being able to lose games. Being inconsistent is really what he’s all about. He’ll come in to camp, though probably a bit heavier due to all the cake he’s inhaling, and look just fine in shorts and uppers. He’ll execute the offense and the coaches and players will be impressed with his professionalism and approach to the game.
But Rosen will come in and look really good as well and everyone will be saying stuff like “I think we’ve finally found our guy.” You’ll hear things like Josh is a competitor, likes competition and wants to earn his spot. Also, get ready to hear that he’s real smart with picking up the offense and that he can make all the throws and that the coaches are impressed with how the ball comes out of the hand. Tons of worthless football cliches that get said about many guys in August will be hurled at Rosen.
Oh and a 2nd round pick was traded for Rosen. That’s probably the biggest reason why he’ll start against Baltimore. You may not want to think that matters that much, but it really does. For a team that is allegedly full speed ahead on tanking rebuilding, trading a 2nd rounder for a QB, though on the cheap, with a high ceiling, was a surprising move. The Dolphins wouldn’t of done it if they really didn’t think Rosen could be the answer to the Marino curse. They legitimately believe Rosen could be the guy for the next 8+ years. They also understand that he might legitimately stink and try and get their franchise QB in next year’s draft. Both futures are possible and unless you possess the Eye of Agamotto, you don’t know what’s going to happen.
Rosen and Fitzpatrick will both look good in training camp and both will probably look so so in the preseason. But the fact remains, Rosen’s ceiling is much higher and he’s the potential future where Fitzpatrick isn’t. I just don’t think the coaching staff are going to wait for Fitzpatrick to inevitably blow up around week 6 to insert Rosen into the game. They’ll look to see what they have right from get go. Would I be shocked to eventually see Fitzmagic thrust into the starting lineup due to injury or poor performance form Rosen? Not at all. It’s sports and QBs go down all the time.
What I don’t want to hear is that Fitzpatrick is a competitor and is really looking to start. I never met the guy, but I bet a smart guy like himself is quite content making $5.5m starting or backing up Rosen. I actually think if you were able to bake a truth serum cake and have Ryan take down the whole thing, as if he wouldn’t anyways, he’d tell you he’d rather sit back and do the whole mentoring thing to Rosen than go in and probably get knocked around. Can’t blame him at all for that.
BTW- I’d love to know if the Dolphins would have signed Fitzpatrick if they thought they could get Rosen in the draft. If there’s any truth serum cake left, maybe we can give some to Flores and Grier.
BTWAgain- We all know that there won’t be any cake left
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