As we creep closer toward the regular season, the picture of the 2014 Dolphins is becoming more clear and that includes the quarterback position where Ryan Tannehill and Matt Moore are on the team ...
And that just might be it for quarterbacks on the active roster.
The truth is that while media and others have been speculating about Brady Quinn's signing last week, it seems increasingly clear the Dolphins are leaning toward keeping only two quarterbacks on the active roster when final cuts are made in just over two weeks.
And those two are Tannehill and Moore.
That will leave Quinn cut and likely returning to television work, while rookie Seth Lobato would be vying with other developmental types for a spot on the Dolphins practice squad. Interestingly, one of the developmental quarterbacks Lobato would be trying to beat out for a job on the Miami practice squad is Pat Devlin.
Devlin, waived injured last week, is eligible for the practice squad. The team reportedly reached an injury settlement with Devlin recently. But the door for Devlin in Miami is not completely closed, according to a source. So maybe, if he's healthy, he comes back on the practice squad.
By the way, the idea of carrying two quarterbacks makes sense because the Dolphins can use the extra roster spot for any number of reasons:
Possibility 1: The team can use the spot to keep center Mike Pouncey from going on the Physically Unable to Perform. Such a move would allow Pouncey to practice before the sixth week of the season, assuming his rehab from hip surgery allows him to do so. Otherwise, Pouncey on practice squad means he definitely misses more time, at least five games.
Possibility 2: The team can use the extra roster spot for an developmental offensive lineman who is more ready to contribute than Quinn or Lobato and Devlin. someone such as Sam Brenner comes to mind.
Possibility 3: The team might want to keep an extra linebacker and rather than cut someone such as Jonathan Freeny, he sticks.
Possibility 4: If Caleb Sturgis is not completely healthy or if the Dolphins are completely comfortable trusting him, but still don't want to cut ties, perhaps the team keeps two kickers.
Possibility 5: Perhaps because Knowshon Moreno is still getting into shape and neither Daneil Thomas nor Mike Gillislee have won the No. 3 RB job, perhaps the team holds on to both until it plays out somehow.
Possibility 6: There's a glut at tight end. Maybe the Dolphins keep five instead of four. The Dolphins had four last year during various parts of the season.
Speaking of tight ends, Charles Clay had what seemed like a great practice today. He caught at least five passes that went for first downs and at least two touchdowns down the seam.
The Dolphins have not yet made a final decision whether to play Clay in the preseason game on Saturday versus Dallas. It would be his first preseason game after missing while nursing a knee injury. But he looks ready to play.
It looked goo so far
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