Tannehill limited in practice (with video), status still unknown; other notes

The Dolphins were back at today in Davie as they get ready for a suddenly huge showdown this weekend with the Indianapolis Colts.  Why is it huge?  Well, as of right now both of these teams would make the playoffs if they started today, with the Colts the 5th seed and Miami the 6th.  The winner of this one will really distance itself from the pack, while the loser, however still very much in it, will have some work to do.

Now to today's practice notes:

• The Ryan Tannehill watch is in full effect, as the rookie QB fights a hyperextended knee and deep bruise in his thigh.  He worked today with the first team offense, as did Matt Moore, and wore a compression sleeve on his leg.  Tannehill worked in mostly individual drills, while Moore took the majority of the snaps in team drills.  As you'll see in the video below, courtesy of Dolphins.com, Tannehill looked a step slower on his drop backs than he usually is, as he's still nursing that leg.  

• Whether or not Tannehill plays on Sunday will depend on how the rookie responds to today's practice, and how he feels on Friday.  A decision will most likely not be made until then, but stay tuned for further updates.  My guess?  I think he'll play.  But what do I know?

• The Fins have other injury problems as well.  CB Richard Marshall has once again missed practice this week, as he's been dealing with a back injury for nearly a month now.  Marshall has missed the last four games, with Nolan Carroll filling in, and doing a nice job.  Expect Marshall to once again be out this Sunday.

• Rookie lineman Olivier Vernon won AFC special teams player of the week honors this week for his performance on Sunday.  Vernon, the former Hurricane, blocked a field goal, and recovered a blocked punt for a TD, the first of his career.

• Former Dolphin CB Vontae Davis, who was traded in August to the Colts, will not play against his former team on Sunday as he's been out with a knee injury.

What they're saying:

• Ryan Tannehill says he "felt good" moving around in practice today. Said he's "taking it one day at a time."

• Tannehill on his availability for Sunday's game: "I'm doing everything I can to get ready. Hopefully that's the case."

• Reggie Bush on Matt Moore: "It didn't feel like we missed a beat on offense." Said he wasn't surprised at all.

• "We all know what's at stake.  We all know where we're at and where we want to be." - QB Matt Moore on Sunday's game.

• Joe Philbin on the Fins running game:  "Its got to get better. No question about it, we've got to eliminate some negative yard plays."

• "This is the time of year where you start to separate the contenders from the pretenders; gonna be another tough road game." - Reggie Bush

Thats all for now, check back later.

MRI on Tannehill reveals no structural damage; status for Sunday unknown

An MRI on the left knee of rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill didn't show any structural damage, according to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson.

However, Tannehill's status for Sunday remains to be seen, and will depend on how, and if, he practices during the week.

Both Tannehill and coach Joe Philbin have expressed optimism in the chances of him playing, with Philbin telling 940 AM in an interview earlier today that "it sounds like he's going to be ready to role."

We'll keep you updated on the latest with the Fins rookie QB, so keep checking back.

For veteran QB Matt Moore, a fitting return to where it all began

The Dolphins had just recovered an unprecedented onside kick, already up 3-0 midway through the first quarter.  The momentum was on their side in the years' biggest game to date, and their young stud of quarterback dropped back to do what he does best on a third down and five from midfield.

Enter Calvin Pace.

Down went Ryan Tannehill, as the 10th year linebacker out of Wake Forest came unblocked off the left side, sacking him in such a way that left the rookie QB with a hyperextended knee, a deep thigh bruise, and an early exit from his first division road game.  All of sudden that momentum was gone, leaving a cloud of uncertainty surrounding the QB position for the first time in weeks.

Tannehill limped over to the sideline, collapsed in pain, and looked straight at backup QB Matt Moore, needing not to say a word as his eyes said it all.  And just like that, if even for just four quarters, the wily veteran was thrusted back into the role that he played so brilliantly for nine games last year.

And how ironic that it happened on the same field where it all began.

Jump back to October 17th of last year, week six in the NFL for the 2011 Miami Dolphins, who were, at this point in the season, a dismal 0-4 and coming off a beat down in San Diego that saw then starting QB Chad Henne suffer a season ending shoulder injury.

Next in line?  Matt Moore, and the 28 year old was, much like yesterday, propelled to the starters role for the teams' next game- a Monday night showdown in the Meadowlands.  However, unlike yesterday, that game was anything but memorable for the Fins.

The Jets would win 24-6, and Moore looked anything but the part, completing less than 50% of his passes and throwing two interceptions, one of which was a 100 yard pick-six for CB Darrell Revis.

Yikes.

Moore, as we all know, would rebound nicely, leading Miami to a 6-3 record down the stretch and looking like a legitimate NFL starter along the way.  However, when training camp came around this past July, the one time MVP of the 2011 Dolphins looked lost in Joe Philbin's new West Coast offense, and, if not for an injury to David Garrard, probably wouldn't of made it past cuts.

Despite his shaky preseason, Moore remained with the team, serving as a veteran presence to backup rookie QB Ryan Tannehill, and spending the first eight weeks of the year mentoring the fan-proclaimed "savior."

Yesterday, however, in the first quarter of an AFC divisional game silly with storylines, it was Moore who played the part of savior, showing such poise and leadership that made you remember just why he was the teams' MVP of a year ago.

And wouldn't you know that it took place on the very same field where it all began.

This time, Moore righted the ship, leading the Fins to a 30-9 victory, a 4-3 record, and, most importantly, a firm spot in the AFC playoff picture.

And he was brilliant along the way, going 11-19, for 131 yards, one perfectly thrown touchdown to Anthony Fasano, and a 96.6 QB rating.  He was accurate, smart, took the shots when he needed to, and, above all, displayed the veteran leadership that he lacked so much in his first start here twelve months prior.  It was as if Moore picked up right where he left off in last start, a 19-17 win in the 2011 season finale against, who else, the Jets.

Who knows when the next time we see Matt Moore will be.  Maybe it'll be this weekend against the Colts, maybe it'll come a ways down the road, maybe it'll come in next August's first preseason game, who knows?  But for three hours yesterday afternoon, when Moore's replacement went down, the veteran picked up the pieces, took command of an offense that made him look so bad in training camp, and reprised the role that he so magnificently played last season.

Ryan Tannehill is the quarterback of the future, there's no disputing that.  But for one Sunday in late October, when the face of the franchise hobbled over to the sideline, Matt Moore looked him in the eye, buckled up his chinstrap, and got back to work.

And it all took place in the same venue where it all began so many months ago.

A fitting twist to such a special season.

Dolphins route Jets 30-9, improve to 4-3

Any game that ends with Richie Incognito blowing kisses to the Jets sidelines is a good one, and that's exactly what this was for Miami Dolphins.

Matt Moore threw for 131 yards and a TD filling in for the injured Ryan Tannehill, and the Fins defense and special teams did the rest, blocking a punt for a TD, blocking a field goal, recovering a fumble, and intercepting Mark Sanchez in the endzone en route to a 30-9 victory.

The Dolphins improve to 4-3 on the season and keep pace with the division leading Patriots.

30-9. I'd call that putting some hot sauce on the Jets, no?

More to come.

Fins dominating Jets 27-3 going into final quarter

Matt Moore has been superb. As has the Fins offense, defense, special teams, discipline, coaching staff. You name it.

Jabar Gaffney caught a 30 yard pass on 3rd down to set up an eventual Anthony Fasano TD, that following a Jets FG.

Chris Clemons would later intercept Mark Sanchez in the endzone.

TANNEHILL UPDATE:

The rookie appears to be done for the day as he's been on the sideline with his beanie on for the entire 3rd quarter. The injury does not appear to be serious, and my guess is if Tannehill was needed to come back in he could have done it.

However, the Fins have this one under control.

And that's an understatement.

To the fourth.

Dolphins lead Jets 20-0 at halftime

What a first half put together by the Miami Dolphins. They've blocked a punt, recovered a fumble, an onside kick, and blocked a Nick Folk field goal at the end of the second quarter.

What's it all led to? A 20-0 halftime lead.

QB Ryan Tannehill had not returned to the game since being knocked out with a quad injury early in the first quarter. However, Matt Moore has done a tremendous job filling in, and seems to have good grasp on the offense.

Tannehill's return is questionable.

On to the 3rd we go.

Tannehill-less Fins lead Jets 10-0 after first quarter

Ryan Tannehill was sacked on the second drive of the game- a drive that started with an onside kick recovery after a Dan Carpenter field goal- and hasn't returned to the game yet. The rookie has a brace on his quad and is listed as questionable for a return.

Jimmy Wilson followed up a third down sack of Mark Sanchez with a blocked punt that was recovered in the endzone by Olivier Vernon.

Paul Soliai recovered a Mark Sanchez fumble on the following drive and the Matt Moore led Fins are on the move.

Whew. To the 2nd.