"NFL Total Access" kicked off its 32 teams in 32 days series last week. We decided to score some brownie points by writing an accompanying post each night. We'll focus on one goal that each team needs to accomplish before Week 1.
Dolphins must have Tannehill plan in place
Chad Ochocinco will own the headlines for the next few days in Miami, but a big-picture goal for the Dolphins will continue to be how they handle the development of rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
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Give the Dolphins credit: They appear to be resisting the temptation of installing Tannehill -- the eighth overall pick -- at quarterback for Week 1. Though this sometimes works out for the better (Cam Newton and Andy Dalton being the most recent examples), Tannehill would be best-served to be transitioned into the league. (Blaine Gabbert is nodding his head.)
It helps that Miami has faith in Matt Moore, the presumed starter who went 6-3 in the team's final nine games of 2011. David Garrard, signed earlier this year, will provide more veteran leadership for a young player who can use all the help he can get.
"I feel like Ryan being around David Garrard, Matt Moore, some veterans who've been in the game a while is only going to help him and it looks like they're all getting along together," running back Reggie Bush said Monday on NFL Network. "He's doing a good job so far. He's a smart kid."
It will be interesting to see how the Dolphins play it if Moore starts the season and struggles. Will Philbin turn the offense over to Garrard or slide in Tannehill and hope for the best?
It's a delicate balancing act between coddling and overextending that the Dolphins can't afford to get wrong.
