Dolphins’ Rosen assesses his situation and thoughts on not starting. And Norton visits
Some Miami Dolphins fans might be displeased about Josh Rosen not starting Sunday against visiting Cincinnati, but Rosen made clear on Friday that he isn’t the least bit upset.
And he made clear he wants to remain with the Dolphins even though he has spent most of the season as Ryan Fitzpatrick’s backup.
Asked if he’s disappointed about not getting another chance to start, Rosen said: “No. Fitz hasn’t done anything to lose his starting position thus far so I don’t see why anything would change. I obviously would love to play if coach would call me up. I think Fitz has been doing a hell of a job considering all of the circumstances that have been going on this year.”
Rosen, who said he was unaware that some fans want him to play, said he does not believe his chances of being a long-term starting quarterback have been impacted by his first two years in the NFL and believes that’s still an achievable goal.
But he said he has no idea if he will be given a chance to compete for a starting job next season.
“That would be awesome,” he said. “I hope it works out that way. But I’m not expecting anything.”
Does he want to be here next season? “Absolutely,” he said. “I like it a lot.”
Asked if his leadership and intangibles must improve, Rosen said: “I think a lot of that stuff just comes naturally. Comfortability, with guys in the locker room. The offense. Even just with walking around the building and knowing the names of the cafeteria staff. And the janitor.
“Just getting comfortable with where you are. And just kind of making it your home and getting comfortable with your people and your family. I think as that has happened a lot of the leadership qualities that I pride myself on have started to come through. Because I don’t think you can really step out and lead if you don’t know what you’re doing first.”
Coach Brian Flores said this week he has given Rosen a list of areas he must improved, which Flores declined to share.
Rosen said the coaching staff has been “pretty good with telling me with where they want me to develop. And what they think I’m good at or bad at and where they think I can improve.
“All the general stuff. I think coach Flores is a pretty specific coach, so he’s good in that regard. But with regards to [where he stands with] roster stuff I didn’t really expect anything. That would be more abnormal.”
This season has not left him disspirited, Rosen indicated.
“I’m very encouraged just in general day to day, in how I’ve developed and watching Fitz do his thing,” Rosen said. “I’m still only 22 years old. It’s not really the window is opened and closed like that. But there’s a sense of understanding time and opportunity. I’m aware of it, but it’s all for you guys to write about more than for me to worry about. Opportunities will come and I’ll try to seize them.”
How much will a full offseason help him in this offense?
“I think a lot of it has to do with sort of what I’ve had to learn this year with regards to learning defenses, and Mike [linebacker], and a bunch of stuff,” he said. “And the sense of command you need in this offense so you can run it helps me in general moving forward.
“Basically there’s a really steep learning curve and I’m grateful for it because I’ll have that knowledge with me for the rest of my career. So now moving forward, I understand fronts and coverages a lot better now so I can focus on knocking down the offense.”
Rosen is under contract through 2021, due $660,000 next season and $750,000 in 2021.
Rosen started three games earlier this season, but was removed during the third start, against Washington on Oct. 13. He has one touchdown pass, five interceptions and a poor 52.0 passer rating while completing 53.2 percent of his passes.
NORTON VISITS
Dolphins and former UM defensive tackle Kendrick Norton was in the locker room Friday and expressed appreciation for all the Dolphins have done in the aftermath of losing an arm in a career-ending July car accident.
The team has paid his $378,000 salary but his appreciation to the team, he said, is “not even in terms of paying the salary, but every time I call them, they answer the phone. They’re helping me out with my toy drive [for his Kendrick Norton Angels Initiative foundation on Sunday in Monticello].
“Any time I call them they ask, ‘What do you need?’ They never ask how much. They just ask ‘What do you need. Do you need toys? OK, we’ll have them ready for you. Do you want us to drop them off?’ Anything I need, they’ve been so willing to help. It’s meant a lot. They have to be one of top 10 teams, top five teams, if not number one with their community service, outreach.”
Norton, 22, said he has had “at least five or six” surgeries and that no additional procedure will be required. He plans to get a prosthetic arm early next year.
Norton, on the Dolphins’ reserve/non-football injury list, said he doesn’t go “to a lot of [team] meetings. I was going to the games at the beginning of the year but I had to stop for some family issues. Had to handle some stuff so I couldn’t come out of the house much.
“I’m going to try to get here as much as I can. I love being around the guys. They’re very accepting. Every time I see them, they run up to me on the practice field, talk to me, greet me. I still talk to coach, a lot of people in the building.”
What would he say to the team if given a chance?
“Take advantage of your opportunities. Every opportunity, take it like your last because in the NFL it really could be your last opportunity. I don’t know my last practice was going to be my last practice. Walking away from football, I gave everything I had.”
▪ Flores said everybody on the 53-man roster is healthy and available to play Sunday against Cincinnati, though five players are listed as questionable: defensive linemen Taco Charlton and Zach Sieler, kicker Jason Sanders, guard Evan Boehm and fullback Chandler Cox.
This story was originally published December 20, 2019 at 2:06 PM.
