Fins coach tabs Fitzpatrick chief in QB battle
DAVIE, Fla. — Brian Flores made his first important lean within the Miami Dolphins’ beginning quarterback competitors, giving the sturdy early edge to veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick over Josh Rosen.
“It is fairly clear to me that Ryan Fitzpatrick is main the way in which,” the first-year Dolphins coach mentioned. “He is finished that in plenty of areas, from management to manufacturing on the sector to the assembly rooms to the walk-throughs. That is an ongoing competitors, however proper now he is main the way in which.”
Flores’ phrases verify what has been obvious to those that have watched observe for the reason that spring. Fitzpatrick has dominated the beginning reps and has been clearly the extra constant quarterback for the reason that competitors started in Could.
However in what Flores has known as a “wide-open” and “even” competitors publicly for months, this remark that Fitzpatrick is the clear chief marks a checkpoint within the Dolphins’ quarterback battle.
Fitzpatrick has already developed some good chemistry with projected beginning receivers Kenny Stills and DeVante Parker.
“He is been extra productive, and on the finish of the day that is what it comes all the way down to,” Flores mentioned. “He runs the offense very effectively. He has nice rapport with all the group. He has plenty of management means, and we want that to proceed. We want him to develop in that position.”
The Dolphins acquired Rosen, who’s getting into his second season, from the Arizona Cardinals for a 2019 late second-round decide and a 2020 fifth-round decide throughout draft weekend only one 12 months after the previous UCLA product was the 10th general decide in 2018.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, No. 14, has taken the early lead over Josh Rosen, No. three, within the Dolphins’ quarterback competitors. AP Photograph/Lynne Sladky
Rosen has been seen as a possible long-term reply at quarterback if he can flip it round after a tumultuous rookie season. Fitzpatrick, 36, has acknowledged that it is a momentary association for him with the Dolphins given he is close to the tip of his profession, however he signed as a free agent in March as a result of the group supplied a possibility for him to start out.
Debate has raged for months about whether or not the rebuilding Dolphins would select Fitzpatrick’s short-term efficiency edge or Rosen’s long-term potential on this quarterback battle.
Flores’ feedback Tuesday make it clear that the very best man will win, and proper now that appears to be Fitzpatrick.
“It is nonetheless a contest. Every single day is a contest. I believe all of them know that, however as we stand as we speak I believe Ryan has finished a extremely good job,” Flores mentioned. “Hopefully he continues to enhance and is constant and that can assist this group for positive.”
Flores additionally mentioned his determination to fireplace offensive line coach Pat Flaherty, saying there have been plenty of components within the transfer, not a selected incident. He listed communication and match as causes for making the change to Dave DeGuglielmo.
“The straightforward determination must be do nothing and hope it bought higher,” he mentioned.