Garrard initially thought Richardson was a vet

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Sometimes it takes a veteran to know a veteran. Sometimes, it doesn't.

New York Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson has burst on the scene in 2013 as a midseason candidate for Rookie of the Year, immediately injecting himself into a prominent role on arguably the best defensive line in the NFL.

At least one new veteran Jet was a bit fooled by Richardson's appearance and presence early in spring activities.

Two AFC East teams, zero snaps for Garrard

BY NICK ST. DENIS

David Garrard fell just short of the regular season last year during his stint with the Miami Dolphins. That was a lot further than he got with the New York Jets.

Garrard, who signed with the Jets in March, has reportedly opted to retire from football thanks to a nagging knee injury. (photo: Paul Robinson, Flickr)

Entering the 2012 preseason, Garrard was the favorite to win the Dolphins' starting job over rookie Ryan Tannehill and incumbent Matt Moore. With the Jets, Garrard had reasonable competition for the No. 1 gig in the much-maligned Mark Sanchez and rookie Geno Smith.

Garrard not in New York just to 'collect paychecks'

BY NICK ST. DENIS

With the New York Jets' drafting Geno Smith and their apparent unconditional love for incumbent Mark Sanchez, David Garrard certainly isn't the frontrunner for Gang Green's Week 1 starting quarterback gig.

But the veteran signal-caller isn't in Florham Park just to sit around and pad his bank account. (photo: Paul Robinson, Flickr)

"I'm healthy now and I'm going to be going after it. I'm not here collecting paychecks," Garrard told ESPN New York Thursday. "That's not what I'm about. I'm definitely healthy and I definitely want to get out there.

Veteran quarterback David Garrard signs with Jets

BY NICK ST. DENIS

On the same day that New York Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said Mark Sanchez has a "leg up" on his competition for the team's starting quarterback gig, Gang Green brought in some competition.

The Jets signed veteran quarterback David Garrard Monday. Garrard worked out for the Jets less than two weeks ago and, by all accounts, impressed his new employers. (photo: Paul Robinson, Flickr)

He'll enter offseason workouts and training camp in a positional battle with the incumbent Sanchez and probably a lower-tier free agent or draftee.

Garrard would 'love' return to Miami, but Jets 'ideal'

BY SEAN DONOVAN

For free agent quarterback David Garrard, any opportunity is a good one as he attempts to make his NFL comeback. (photo: Paul Robinson, Flickr)

That would include a return to the Miami Dolphins, a team that cut him during training camp last year.

“I would love to be back in Miami," Garrard recently told the Miami Herald. "I love the coaching staff, I love Ryan [Tannehill].”

Report: Jets bring in David Garrard for workout

BY NICK ST. DENIS

It's early, but so far, Mark Sanchez need not be shaking in his boots.

As the New York Jets begin their search for a veteran signal-caller to compete with Sanchez for the starting quarterback gig in 2013, the organization brought in free agent David Garrard for a workout Thursday, according to the NY Daily News. (photo: Paul Robinson, Flickr)

The 35-year-old Garrard hasn't seen a game in two years, having missed the 2011 season to back problems and last season after being released by the Miami Dolphins last summer thanks to a knee ailment.

Fins' starting QB job Tannehill's to lose all along?

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Monday, Miami Dolphins coach Joe Philbin named rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill the team's starter entering the 2012 regular season.

The fix should've been in from the start, and maybe it was.

Tannehill, who was drafted No. 8 overall in April, was perceived to be the team's No. 3 QB early in offseason activities, behind veteran David Garrard and incumbent Matt Moore.

But by training camp, Tannehill appeared to be locked into the backup gig, with Garrard and Moore more or less fighting for an all-or-nothing roster spot.

Once Garrard got hurt and would miss the remainder of the preseason, Tannehill was back in the mix for the starting job, as he'd only have to beat out Moore. Garrard's injury likely knocked him out of the race.

Tannehill put up decent numbers against backups in his first preseason game, but he wasn't terribly impressive in his first start last week. It's not like he did something absolutely extraordinary for Philbin to come to an epiphany that the future is now.

Tannehill brightens Fins' night after loss of Garrard

BY SEAN DONOVAN

The Miami Dolphins opened their preseason against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday, but the worst part of the night came before the team even stepped on the field.

It was revealed that projected starting quarterback David Garrard was going to miss at least a few weeks after an arthroscopic knee procedure set to take place on Saturday.

While the day provided some tough news for one of their veterans, the Dolphins were treated to a promising show by one of their rookies.

Matt Moore was pushed into the starting lineup by Garrard's injury, but the most effective offensive performance came with No. 8 overall pick Ryan Tannehill under center.

Tannehill entered the game midway through the second quarter, and had one drive end after a touchdown was called back and led another impressive drive that was capped off by an 11-yard scoring strike to Charles Clay.

The rookie showed poise and command in the pocket against the second- and third-team Buccaneers defenders, completing 14 of his 21 passing attempts for 167 yards and the one touchdown.

Garrard injury further skews Dolphins' QB situation

BY SEAN DONOVAN

By many accounts, David Garrard was in firm control of the Miami Dolphins' starting quarterback job.

That was until Friday afternoon.

Garrard is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery that will sideline him from practices and preseason games, according to Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times.

The circumstances of the injury are still unknown, but the veteran quarterback was reportedly a full participant in Wednesday practice. The Dolphins practiced on Thursday as well, but the session was closed to the media.

The news comes mere hours before the Dolphins were scheduled to take the field for their first preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Matt Moore was reportedly told Friday morning that he would start the exhibition.

Garrard had seized frontrunner status in Miami's three-way quarterback race with a strong performance in offseason workouts and training camp. He was listed at No. 1 on Miami's first depth chart, released on Monday.

A lengthy recovery would likely draw the curtains on Garrard's career in Miami. He is only under contract for one season, and the Dolphins can avoid paying his $2.25 million dollar salary by releasing him before Week 1.

Few notes from first edition of Dolphins' depth chart

Photo: photo-gator, Flickr 

BY SEAN DONOVAN

The Miami Dolphins released their initial depth chart of the preseason Monday morning, and for the first time, we could see how the training camp battles were shaping out on paper. By no means is it set in stone for the regular season, but it does offer some interesting tidbits:

Has Garrard emerged as the starter?

After a strong offseason, David Garrard was listed as the No. 1 quarterback, confirming what virtually all of the South Florida media have been reporting since June minicamps. Matt Moore is listed as the backup and heralded rookie Ryan Tannehill is third. All indications are that Garrard has had a better handle on the offense than fellow veteran Moore, and this listing essentially confirms that the coaches have been seeing what the media has seen.

This is just a first depth chart and much can still change. Coach Joe Philbin emphasized as much in Monday's press conference. "It's the starting point. It's a fluid situation," Philbin said. "In no way, shape or form have decisions been finalized." He also said that he hasn't decided which of the three would start Friday's preseason game against Tampa Bay.

Is Vontae Davis a backup?

The big surprise of the day was Vontae Davis being listed as a backup cornerback behind Richard Marshall. Davis has been a starter since being drafted in 2009. Marshall, who was signed as a free agent in the offseason, has been taking reps in training camp as the starting cornerback opposite Sean Smith in recent days.

It's unclear if the coaching staff is sending Davis a message to step up or if he is simply being out-played, but it seems that there is a competition for the starting spot. Regardless of who starts, either Davis or Marshall would make a strong nickel cornerback, which is a position that spends a lot of time on the field.

Tannehill the backup? Fins' QB bout maybe do-or-die

BY SEAN DONOVAN

At some point during the preseason, Joe Philbin and the Dolphins' coaching staff will choose the starting quarterback who will play Week 1 in Houston.

Right now, incumbent starter Matt Moore and seasoned veteran David Garrard are facing off in training camp to win the job. But they may also be fighting for their NFL lives.

According to Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post, the Dolphins are considering all possibilities for the position, including cutting or trading one of the veterans if quarterback-of-the-future Ryan Tannehill proves he is capable of being the backup.

Both veterans are only under contract for this season, and it is common for a team to carry just two starting-capable signal-callers into the regular season. Tannehill, who reportedly looked very much like a rookie during June practices, has shown signs early in training camp that he is adjusting to the speed of the game.

The South Florida media has consistently reported that Garrard, who sat out last season after nine years in Jacksonville, has looked the best so far in camp. Moore is known to be a poor practice player who gets the job done come gametime, and he'll have an opportunity to do just that in Miami's first preseason game against the Buccaneers on Aug. 10th.

Fins making most of multi-quarterback offseason

Photo: photo-gator, Flickr

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The Dolphins' offense is learning a completely new system this offseason under new head coach Joe Philbin, but that's not all.

Miami has a three-way competition going on for the starting quarterback gig. Rookie Ryan Tannehill, incumbent starter Matt Moore and veteran David Garrard are all jockeying for position behind center.

With that, each player is getting a fair share of reps with the starting offense, so the rest of the offensive skill players are adjusting on the fly with a different signal-caller dropping back behind them on a given play.

“It is a challenge that we are going to have to get through," Dolphins tight end Anthony Fasano recently told the Finsiders. "Having this type of offseason, I think we have a lot more time, I think we have already put a lot more time than any offseason I have been a part of, and that is just going to continue to grow through June.

"I think having that extra time is going to help being able to get comfortable with multiple guys.”

The coaches' decision on who starts Week 1 will likely be between Moore and Garrard, since the team reportedly plans to let Tannehill learn from the sidelines early on.

Phins coach Philbin in no hurry to name starting QB

BY SEAN DONOVAN

Joe Philbin, unlike his owner, isn't giving any clues as to who the Dolphins will choose as the team's starting quarterback. But he is hinting when they'll make the decision.

“You’d love to have (the decision) done by after the second preseason game," the first-year head coach said in an interview on ESPN's NFL32. "Your third preseason game is when your first unit is going to get the vast majority of the snaps in terms of their preseason allocation. If it’s clear earlier we’ll make a decision at that point in time, but I’d say by the third preseason game we’d like to have a unit established.”

He seems pretty happy about the guys he has to choose from, too.

“David Garrard is a proven player," Philbin said. "Matt Moore did an exceptional job last year in Miami. We think Ryan Tannehill has a lot of promise for the future. And we’ve got a young man named Pat Devlin who’s worked extremely hard as well.”

Garrard didn't mind sharing his opinion on the matter. He was able to simultaneously praise his rookie counterpart's understanding of the playbook and tell everyone exactly why he might have an edge in the
competition.

Moore: Talk of not being a true starter 'gets annoying'

Photo: Kevin Tsui, Flickr 

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Matt Moore is excited about the changes to the Dolphins' offense this year, and he'll be even more excited if he's the one running it.

Moore started the majority of the Dolphins' 2011 games at quarterback, tossing 16 touchdowns to nine interceptions and rushing for two scores. He boasted an efficient 60.5 completion percentage in leading the Dolphins to a 6-3 finish to the season.

Moore was named the team's 2011 MVP.

Miami, however, drafted a signal-caller -- Ryan Tannehill of Texas A&M -- at No. 8 overall this year, and many are speculating Tannehill could find himself in a starting role sooner than later.

Moore, 27, has never entered a season as the designated starter, as he's constantly battled the label of being a solid backup but not a starter.

"When I hear it over and over 100 times it gets a little annoying," Moore told the Palm Beach Post in May. "I just try to win ballgames and do my best. They'll talk about me when they need to talk about me."

Dolphin QBs Moore, Garrard get even share of snaps

BY SEAN DONOVAN

As well as quarterback Matt Moore played down the stretch last season, he will still have to earn his stripes with the new Dolphins coaching staff.

In the Dolphins' first practice of this month's voluntary minicamp on Tuesday, Moore split first team snaps with newly-signed veteran David Garrard, according to the Miami Herald. The two are in a battle that will likely determine who goes into training camp as the starting quarterback.

Luckily for Miami, both players are ready to learn Joe Philbin's west coast offense and are excited for the opportunity to compete.

"We're learning the basics. We're crawling before we walk," Moore told reporters. "By the definition of the offense it really spreads the ball around a lot. There are a lot of quick throws."

"I'm trying to get the playbook down. Whenever you are a half second off it makes the pass look bad," added Garrard of the west coast system, which he experienced briefly when he backed up Byron Leftwich on the Jaguars early in his career.

For now, Dolphins settle for free agent QB Garrard

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The Dolphins might not have found their quarterback, but they found a quarterback.

After failing to land free agent signal-callers Peyton Manning, Matt Flynn and Alex Smith, Miami signed former Jaguars quarterback David Garrard Monday to a one-year deal.

Garrard missed all of last season with back issues, but NFL.com's Jeff Darlington reported that Garrard will get an opportunity to earn the starting job, though he'll have to do it via a training camp competition with Matt Moore.