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Knowshon Moreno to compete for Dolphins starting job

Knowshon Moreno's career-high 1,586 yards and 13 touchdowns en route to Super Bowl XLVIII won't guarantee him a starting job with his new team.

Moreno told reporters during Friday's introductory conference call that he will have to beat out Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas for lead-back duties.

"I just want to compete. I'm not expecting anything," Moreno said, per The Palm Beach Post. "I'm coming from a team where anyone can be the starter and it's the ."

Moreno's contract is for one year and just under $3 million. He said Friday that the Dolphins were the only team with whom he communicated in free agency.

In other words, this was not an accomplished running back in heavy demand.

Moreno certainly is more trustworthy in pass protection, route running, short yardage and ball security than Miller.

Those qualities trumped his pedestrian running ability on a team with the luxury of Peyton Manning under center. Without a difference-making quarterback, though, the Dolphins can't afford to neglect Miller's playmaking advantage.

Look for Miller and Moreno to split time as game situations dictate, with Thomas as the odd man out.

Even if Moreno isn't the "starter," his consistent approach will help a backfield that was held under 25 rushing yards on four different occasions last season.

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