The Dolphins’ post-Ryan Tannehill era began against the Falcons with Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen both getting chances to impress

MIAMI GARDENS — There was this notion that Ryan Tannehill was too vanilla and too robotic and lacking of instincts and moxie and swashbuckle.

And I apologize for starting a column about Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen with a mention of Tannehill, who some noted was throwing a bunch of touchdowns for the Titans on Thursday night.

But what we can say with some certainty after taking in Miami’s first preseason game is this — whatever Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen or Josh Rosen and Ryan Fitzpatrick is, it won’t be boring.

These quarterbacks, as we saw in Miami’s 34-27 preseason win over Atlanta in Brian Flores’ first game as head coach, are quite likely to give the aforementioned Flores heart palpitations when under center.

Oh, it will be good and it will be bad. And then vice versa.

The fans will cheer for Fitzmagic and celebrate the wonder of a 36-year old nimbly scrambling for a first down (as he did in the first quarter) and evading the pressure, followed by an off-balance strike to DeVante Parker (as he did in the first quarter).

Then, perhaps later in the half, they’ll boo Fitzpatrick and chant, "We want Josh!" or "Rose-n! Rose-n!"

Yes, it may all get a bit confusing.

Because even though Fitzpatrick can make things happen, spark surprising plays, lead surprising drives and even spur surprising upsets, he’ll break your heart, too.

Fitzpatrick was fine in his Dolphins starting debut, limited to a quarter, and limited by an offensive line that would be of four-alarm concern if not for the fact that left tackle Laremy Tunsil was rested with what is not believed to be any type of serious injury.

Veteran Jordan Mills really struggled in his place, with two penalties and a sack allowed in the first half. And rookies Michael Deiter and Shaq Calhoun had their up-and-down moments.

At times in Rosen’s debut, he was being chased in a manner that reminded us of Tannehill, and pummeled in a manner that reminded us of Tannehill.

But what Rosen did, following up on a strong week of practice after officially being declared backup (for the moment) was provide an opportunity for hope with moments of did-you-see-that.

Could he be, would he be, a franchise quarterback? We have time to find out.

Rosen’s stellar connection with undrafted rookie receiver Preston Williams, who is a keeper and a gem, shifted from the practice field to the stadium lights.

Rosen, all of 22 and we should not forget this, led the Dolphins to a touchdown on his first drive.

On a third-down pass, while in the grasp of a defender, Rosen threw up a beautiful pass for Williams, who made an even prettier catch.

It was daring. It was a pass made by a young man who is confident he can complete a pass when the degree-of-difficulty is immense. It energized the crowd.

Later, taking some body shots and holding up, Rosen showed some escape-ability and athleticism under duress. It really was encouraging how Rosen threw another beautiful deep ball for Williams, who hauled it in with one hand.

Williams’ emergence in the spring and late summer is a story worth monitoring. But so too was a terrible decision Rosen made later in the quarter. Rosen was intercepted by a third-string Falcons linebacker, who jumped his short underneath attempt for Isaiah Ford.

"I think they both managed the huddle pretty well," Flores said at half. "The communication was okay. Obviously, I didn’t like the turnover by Josh."

Did Rosen not see the linebacker? Did he see him too late? Was it just an inaccurate pass? Clearly, it was a bad decision.

Those are the types of decisions that may force Flores to open the season with Fitzpatrick. The idea, of course, is that Rosen would learn more about what he is and is not supposed to do, through Fitzpatrick’s play, likely to be stellar at times and lame at other times.

The Dolphins really want to give Rosen a long look this preseason. And so not only did Rosen play the second quarter, but also the third. Miami will get plenty of Rosen tape before the home opener, and what we’ve all seen after a poor start, is very encouraging.

Rosen does have a big arm. Rosen can make special, eye-opening throws. It’s on Rosen to perform well again and again and again, so he can truly gain the trust and respect of his teammates and coaches.

Fitzpatrick believes he’s as good a quarterback as he’s ever been. It should not be discounted that Fitzpatrick had 17 touchdown passes in seven starts for the Bucs last season, and posted a career-high 100.4 passer rating.

It should also not be discounted that Fitzpatrick was 2-5 as a starter last season and is 50-75-1 in his career. Fitzpatrick is a quality leader and can create some thrilling moments with his fearless, daredevil approach to the game.

Rosen? He’s never seen a tough throw he didn’t assume he could complete. And that’s not the worst thing in the world. In fact, it’s intriguing. Fitzpatrick or Rosen, Rosen or Fitzpatrick, we’re still not sure.

But it seems it won’ t be boring.

@schadjoe

jschad@pbpost.com