Ryan Tannehill looks like he might get a shot to take over as the Miami Dolphins starting quarterback sooner rather than later. Even though the 2012 first round draft pick was always going to get a shot at starting eventually, he entered training camp needing to earn the right to start in Week 1. According to new head coach Joe Philbin, he's making serious progress, and has earned first team reps in practice.
"I think it's on an as-earned basis. He's throwing the ball well enough in the couple of days he's been at practice. It's been earned."
Tannehill is saying all the right things as well, speaking confidently about winning the job without coming off as arrogant.
"I think I've gotten better every practice. ... I want to be the guy. It's not a goal to be a backup. I want to play, I want to get in there."
Nothing will be decided for the Dolphins until preseason games are played, but this is obviously a very big step for Tannehill. As long as he's performing well in practice, he should get the benefit of the doubt over his competitors due the team's investment in him.
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