Ryan Fitzpatrick has been winning the quarterback battle for the Miami Dolphins this preseason, but apparently first-year head coach Brian Flores has decided he’d like to keep his job and win long term. Tuesday, Josh Rosen worked with the first team offense and while Fitzpatrick will start Friday’s preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Flores describes the situation as “fluid.”
It better be. While it’s no surprise a wily veteran like Fitzpatirck would be ahead of a second-year player coming over from the worst offense in the NFL, that can’t be Flores or the Dolphins’ long term plan. They traded a second rounder to the Arizona Cardinals for a first-round quarterback and they need to play him.
Josh Rosen is getting first go with the starters to kick off team drills. Kalen Ballage just took a long TD to the crib. Here we go 👀👀
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 13, 2019
Winning now can’t be an issue for Miami. If it was, they wouldn’t have traded Ryan Tannehill to the Tennessee Titans or fired former head coach Adam Gase. A few short-term gains while sacrificing valuable learning and growth experiences for Rosen is not how to run a team.
Fitzpatrick, a former Harvard guy, has a future in coaching and is using this opportunity not only to pocket cash, but mentor Rosen. The former UCLA signal-caller is making the most of it.
“He (Fitzpatrick) has been unbelievably helpful,” Rosen said. “Probably one of the best mentors I’ve ever had in this sport.”
Josh Rosen just hit DeVante Parker for a beautiful TD on a fade route. Hit him in stride, on the money with a trailing defender shaking his head.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 13, 2019
And that’s all he should be. Flores would be smart to keep it that way.
Amari Cooper suffering from plantar fascia irritation
It’s got a name that sounds concerning, but ultimately it means that Amari Cooper’s foot is sore as he suffers from plantar fascia irritation. He’s been held out of practice as well he should be.
No practice for Amari Cooper today, Garrett maintains that he’s “day by day.” Jaylon Smith was bothered by his knee yesterday, but Garrett thinks he’ll practice today #cowboyswire
— David Helman (@davidhelman_) August 13, 2019
Cooper is playing for a new, long-term deal with the Cowboys, who acquired him in a trade for a first round pick with the Oakland Raiders last season. The wideout is in his fifth-year option and is scheduled to earn $13.924 million this season.
