Ryan Tannehill will be Miami's starter in Week 1. (Jeremy Brevard-US PRESSWIRE)
Rookie Ryan Tannehill has won the Dolphins’ starting quarterback job, beating out incumbent Matt Moore.
The eighth overall pick in April, Tannehill had an uneven performance against Carolina on Saturday, but coach Joe Philbin’s goal was to name his starter before the third preseason game, when more game-planning will take place.
With David Garrard sidelined by a knee injury, the competition came down to Moore and Tannehill, who was considered a raw prospect coming out of Texas A&M after switching from wide receiver following his first two seasons. He started just 19 career games for the Aggies.
However, Tannehill also had a leg up on the playbook, with new Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman having been his head coach in college.
”We like a lot of things about him,” Philbin said. ”He has a chance to be a very good player.”
Miami opens the season Sept. 9 at Houston, when Tannehill will become the first Dolphins rookie quarterback to start a season opener.
“This is the best decision we can make at the given time,” Philbin said Monday.
Matt Moore was 7 of 12 passing for 79 yards and an interception when he started a 20-7 loss to Tampa Bay, and played with the first team. He was 5 of 15 for 57 yards playing with the reserves in the 23-17 loss to Carolina.
Tannehill was 14 of 21 for 167 yards and one touchdown against the Buccaneers, playing with and against reserves.
In his first start against Carolina and playing the entire first half, Tannehill was 11 of 23 for 100 yards, but was sacked three times and had four passes deflected.
”We didn’t hand him anything,” Philbin said. ”Nothing is forever in this league if a guy doesn’t play well, at any position.”
Fantasy analysis: Keep an eye on Tannehill if something happens to your No. 1 starter. He could also be useful when your top signal-caller has a bye week. As of now, however, he should remain on the waiver wire until he proves he can handle the rigors of the NFL.
