Ryan Tannehill remains a longshot at best to win the Miami Dolphins' starting quarterback gig out of camp, but the rookie is getting a fair crack at it.
For the first time in his young career, Tannehill worked with the first-team on Thursday.
The Miami Herald reported Tannehill made some nice throws in his time, including a deep pass to Chad Johnson that was broken up by Nolan Carroll. He showed good touch and accuracy in hooking up with Johnson on some short and intermediate routes.
"I think it's on an as-earned basis," Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said of Tannehill's opportunity. "He's throwing the ball well enough in the couple of days he's been at practice. It's been earned."
As he's made clear, Tannehill isn't resigned to a redshirt rookie season.
"I think I've gotten better every practice," he said. "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."
We think David Garrard or Matt Moore will keep Tannehill on the sidelines in the early going, but the rookie should find his way into the starting lineup if (or when) the Dolphins fall out of contention.
