The RotoWire Blog has been retired.

These archives exist as a way for people to continue to view the content that had been posted on the blog over the years.

Articles will no longer be posted here, but you can view new fantasy articles from our writers on the main site.

Saturday Training Camp Notes: Quarterbacks in the Spotlight

Saturday brought another robustly-attended round of camp practices around the league, with some clubs taking the opportunity to conduct their annual training camp scrimmages in front of enthusiastic crowds. One such session served to shed some light on a hotly-contested quarterback job, while another highlighted what could soon be confirmed as a prominent vacancy at the position. Without further ado, let's take a glance at the most pertinent happenings from around the league Saturday:

  • The Dolphins conducted their annual scrimmage at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday morning with Matt Moore helming the offense in the notable absence of Ryan Tannehill (knee). Head coach Adam Gase was naturally asked about the rumors of a possible reunion with Jay Cutler if Tannehill is indeed deemed to be out of the season, a question which he answered by conceding he'd had "one conversation" with his former charge. However, it was reported later Saturday that the team has officially offered Cutler a contract, and that he's currently weighing his options; Matt Moore, entering his seventh season with the Dolphins, went 5-for-6 for 66 yards with one touchdown and one pick-six interception, which came on the second play of the scrimmage on a pass intended for DeVante Parker. Moore did bounce back on the second drive, hitting Jarvis Landry on a wheel route and run route, the latter going for a score.; Kenny Stills continues to nurse a sore hamstring and did not participate in Saturday's scrimmage.
  • Given his play in recent seasons, it's fair to wonder exactly how much of an upgrade Cutler would represent over Moore beyond pure arm strength. The longest stretch of starts for Moore came back in the 2011 season, when he took over for Chad Henne in early October following the latter's season-ending shoulder injury. The 32-year-old compiled 2,497 passing yards, a 16:9 TD:INT ratio and 60.5 completion percentage over 13 games (12 starts) that season, and has made a total of just 117 pass attempts over the subsequent six campaigns. Cutler had averaged nearly 14 interceptions per season in the four campaigns prior to last season and finished 2016 with a 4:5 TD:INT ratio over five games in Chicago.
  • On the subject of injured quarterbacks, the Colts are naturally hoping that Andrew Luck (shoulder) will be healthy enough to take the field come the season opener, but a definitive answer isn't likely to come until much closer to Week 1. In Luck's stead, it's been journeyman Scott Tolzien who's been taking first-team reps. Tolzien's most extensive starting stint came in 2013 while with the Packers, when he completed 55 of 90 passes for 717 yards with one touchdown and five interceptions over three games.
  • The talent-starved roster of the New York Jets suffered the loss of one of its most accomplished skill players in Saturday's Green and White Scrimmage, as receiver Quincy Enunwa suffered a neck injury during seven-on-seven drills. As per the team's official site, the injury came on a non-contact play, as Enunwa dropped a pass from Christian Hackenberg in the front of the end zone and took a step before falling to the ground. The 25-year-old eventually made his way back to the locker room under his own power and will undergo further evaluation; Other notable absences from the scrimmage included Matt Forte (hamstring) and Bilal Powell (undisclosed).
  • The quarterback battle between Paxton Lynch and Trevor Siemian could potentially go right through the final preseason game, but it's the latter who currently seems to have the advantage. Siemian outperformed Lynch during Saturday's scrimmage, going 3-for-5 for 31 yards. Meanwhile, Lynch couldn't connect on any of his four attempts and also threw an interception to Chris Harris, Jr. on a pass intended for Emmanuel Sanders, although head coach Vance Joseph did cut his second-year signal caller some slack. Joseph noted that Lynch had a key completion called back by penalty and that he was "very solid" outside of the interception. Meanwhile, Joseph also complemented Siemian's ball placement and overall handling of the offense.
  • Rob Kelley has returned to Redskins practice, participating in full-team drills Saturday after being limited the previous two days with a sore neck. The second-year back gained 704  yards in his first season and is looking to hold off the challenge of the likes of Samaje Perine and Matt Jones for the starting running back job.
  • Bills return ace Brandon Tate is back in practice after having suffered a calf injury a week ago. Tate, who compiled 963 return yards last season, is the favorite to handle both return jobs again this season and potentially serve as the fifth receiver.
  • There were some notable developments involving several prominent IDP players between Friday and Saturday as well: The Chargers' Jason Verrett, who tore his ACL in Week 4 of last season, was removed from the Physically Unable to Perform list on Friday and jumped right into individual drills; Linebacker Malcolm Smith, who racked up 225 tackles over the last two seasons with the Raiders before signing this offseason with the 49ers, suffered a left forearm injury in Saturday's practice that head coach Kyle Shanahan conceded could possibly be long-term; Linval Joseph, who's been a stalwart presence on the Vikings front for the past three seasons, signed a four-year, $50 million extension on Saturday. Joseph posted a career-high 77 tackles in 2016, adding four sacks and three forced fumbles.