Fitzpatrick appears well ahead of Rosen in Dolphins' QB battle
With quarterback stability at an all-time high, the Miami Dolphins feature one of the few battles at the position this offseason.
By all indications, however, it hasn't been much of a battle to date. Entering his 14th NFL season, Ryan Fitzpatrick appears to have outplayed recently-acquired Josh Rosen during mandatory minicamp practices, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
A number of reporters were on the scene at Miami's practice facility, and if their thoughts are any indication, Rosen has some catching up to do as training camp approaches.
Quick Minicamp Day 1 observations:
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) June 4, 2019
Fitzpatrick better day than Rosen.
Nate Orchard has very good launch.
Jordan Mills struggles at RT.
Interception for X.
Interception for Jalen Davis at goal line.
Multiple TD catches in red zone for Nick O’Leary.
Brice Butler leaves practice.
Yes, Ryan Fitzpatrick looks better than Josh Rosen in practice right now. #miamidolphins
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) June 5, 2019
Ryan Fitzpatrick long TD pass to Parker. This QB race isn't very close folks. Sigh.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) June 5, 2019
Everyone wants a quarterback battle in Miami, but that’s not what we’ve witnessed this offseason. Ryan Fitzpatrick, the veteran, is head and shoulders better than Josh Rosen right now.… https://t.co/pXeqtg8zok
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) June 5, 2019
Fitzpatrick > Rosen again today.
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) June 5, 2019
Josh Rosen just had a really nice 3-play sequence. I’m not overreact over minicamp guy, but that was nice to see given how far behind Fitzpatrick he has looked to this point.
— Clay Ferraro (@ClayWPLG) June 5, 2019
If practices are factored in, would note Fitzpatrick’s started and out-performed Rosen in all four sessions open to the media (per several reports). Seems to be the clear-cut No. 1. https://t.co/zJh328Oin3
— John Daigle (@notJDaigle) June 5, 2019
It should be noted that the Dolphins have a long way to go before naming their Week 1 starter, as minicamp practices generally don't reveal who'll win a position battle.
Furthermore, Fitzpatrick not only has experience on his side early on, but a head start as well. The veteran was signed over one month before Rosen was acquired from the Arizona Cardinals.
Head coach Brian Flores stressed competition from the moment he was hired. The former New England Patriots assistant claimed that practices will weigh into his decision on who'll start during the year just as much as preseason games, according to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald.