Garrard tops Dolphins depth chart, Tannehill says it's 'far from decided'

David Garrard was listed as the top quarterback on the Dolphins first depth chart, but rookie Ryan Tannehill, who was listed third behind Garrard and Matt Moore, says the contest is 'far from decided.'

Both Tannehill (left) and Moore are behind Garrard on the Fins first depth chart. (AP)

The Dolphins released their first depth chart of the preseason on Monday morning and the status of the Fins current three-way quarterback battle was cleared up, as the depth chart listed David Garrard as QB1 over Matt Moore and Ryan Tannehill.

However the rookie Tannehill, appearing on the NFL Network minutes after the depth chart was released (you can view it here via Jess Agler of Finsiders.com) and said the contest between the quarterbacks is "far from decided."

"It's a starting point you know?" Tannehill said when asked about the depth chart. "I think seven practices into training camp and working to get better every day but it's a starting point. It's not a finished product and we've still got four weeks until our first game and I'm working every day to get better and it's far from decided."

Tannehill said that his "goal" is to win the starting job, but indicated he would understand if he wasn't QB1 by the time the season began.

"I want to be, just as a competitor, a guy who wants to be on the field and help contribute and help win games, of course I want to start. It's one of my goals but at the end of the day I just want to be the best quarterback I can be every day and whether I'm the best guy for this team at [the beginning of the season] is up to the coaches."

Additionally, the rook said that Garrard and Moore are "both great guys" and that they've "really accepted [him] into the room."

The reality of the situation for Miami is that it will be tough for a young quarterback like Tannehill, with minimal experience starting (unless you count snaps at wide receiver anyway), to win the starting job. The team is probably better off rolling with a veteran to start the season anyway, particularly if Garrard continues to do his best impression of Peyton Manning.

Tannehill's maintained all along that he's in the race to start, and he'll probably continue to say that as the preseason rolls along. But it seems pretty unlikely that he'll end up winning the gig, barring a shockingly good performance during the preseason.

However, there's a distinct possibility that Tannehill can play well enough to give the Dolphins a reason to cut one of the veterans, if only to save some money and prepare them for the possibility of a slow start that could lead to getting the youngster under center early in the season.

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnNFL on Twitter, subscribe to our RSS Feed and subscribe to our Pick-6 Podcast and NFL newsletter. You can follow Will Brinson on Twitter here: @willbrinson.