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Miami Dolphins Quarterback Matt Moore Okay With Wide Receivers Corps

May 22, 2012; Davie, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Roberto Wallace (18) during organized team activities at the Dolphins training facility. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE
May 22, 2012; Davie, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Roberto Wallace (18) during organized team activities at the Dolphins training facility. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

The biggest question surrounding the Miami Dolphins this offseason is who is going to start at quarterback this season. Directly behind that question is to whom is that quarterback going to throw the ball. The Dolphins don't have the strongest wide receiver stable in the league. But, current number one quarterback Matt Moore is okay with that.

"There's always in the past been a go-to target on every play," Moore told the Palm Beach Post. "But in this offense you can have Hartline lined up as the No. 3 receiver on one play and No. 1 on the next play. And it can be the same play. So you're not pigeon-holed into anything on any certain play."

The Dolphins currently have Brian Hartline slotted as the top receiver, with Davone Bess and Legedu Naanee taking the next two depth chart positions. Behind those three, Clyde Gates, rookie B.J. Cunningham, Julius Pruitt, Marlon Moore, Roberto Wallace, rookie Rishard Matthews, Chris Hogan, rookie Jeff Fuller, and rookie Derek Moye are all on the roster as well.

Moore believes the lack of a true "top" wide out actually benefits the team in the competition it casues as well. "It's a beneficial process," he said, "knowing you've got guys out here to compete and fight for reps, but also try to help each other at the same time."

Hartline weighed in as well, pointing out that, unlike last year with the obvious desire to get the ball to former Dolphin Brandon Marshall, this year, "There's not a mentality of forcing the ball to anybody, which is definitely good."

The Dolphins, who just completed their first full organized team activity this week, have also been using running backs Reggie Bush and rookie Lamar Miller in the slot position, along with having drafted pass catching tight end Michael Egnew this year. While not a lot of big, flashy names other than Bush, the Dolphins may be looking at spreading out defenses with mismatch lineups, and spreading the ball around all the receiving threats.

"From where I look at it we look pretty good," said Moore. "We've got guys on the outside, some are good at shorter or intermediate routes. We've got some deep threats coming along, guys like Clyde Gates and Marlon Moore. And our tight ends are solid."

Wide receiver Marlon Moore said there's one simple benefit to the new offensive system first-year head coach Joe Philbin and former Texas A&M head coach, turned Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman, are installing. "Touchdowns," Marlon Moore said. "Point blank. Touchdowns, touchdowns, touchdowns. Whether it's the running back, tight end, receiver position or quarterback running it in, there are going to be touchdowns."

After four years of a ground-and-pound offense, often resulting in fist-pump inducing field goals, the idea of an uptempo, pass-first, touchdown causing offense is a welcome change in Miami. While the Dolphins may not have Aaron Rodgers and the receivers Philbin had in his previous job as offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, if he is able to utilize Matt Moore, David Garrard, or rookie Ryan Tannehill and the group of receivers Miami does have, this could be a fun year to watch the Dolphins.

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