Miami Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore might be the incumbent, and 2012 first-round pick Ryan Tannehill might have the most experience within coordinator Mike Sherman's offense, but David Garrard is expected to be the front-runner for the starting job when training camp opens up later this month.
Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel wrote Thursday that Garrard could be poised for a campaign similar to the kind Chad Pennington enjoyed with the Dolphins in 2008. During that season, Pennington completed nearly 70 percent of his pass attempts for 3,653 yards with nearly three times as many touchdowns (19) as interceptions (seven) in leading the franchise to its only playoff appearance since the NFL expanded to 32 teams.
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Garrard missed all of last season with a back injury, and we have yet to see how he handles contact. That's a part of the equation that could tilt the Dolphins' quarterback competition in Moore's favor. However, wide receiver Brian Hartline, who doesn't hide his close relationship with Moore, told Kelly that he liked what he saw from the veteran during OTAs.
"David does fit well into this offense," Hartline said. "(Garrard) gets the ball out of his hands really quickly. The point which he decides where he's going with the ball to the point where he decides where the ball is going is a very fast process, and that's always good when it comes to the evaluation of a quarterback. He's very decisive.
"He knows what he wants from his receivers and communicates it very well. He commands the huddle," Hartline added.
Hartline one day aspires to be an NFL general manager and recently offered up his assessment of Tannehill, who, he said, showed "flashes" during the offseason program.
