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The Redskins Defense Is Ready For Whoever Plays Quarterback in Miami 

Bostic_Tackle

Redskins interim head coach Bill Callahan is still deciding which quarterback will get the start against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Similar to last week, it's a question that will likely not have an answer until Friday. While the team does not know who will line up under center on offense, it has a better idea of the opposing quarterback, with Josh Rosen getting the start.

The defense is not taking any chances, though, and the players are preparing as if they could see any of the quarterbacks on the Dolphins' roster.

"In an NFL game, you better be prepared for anything," said linebacker Jon Bostic. "They're trying to win just like we are, and whatever it takes to get there, you have to be willing to do it."

The quarterback position has been one of many issues for the Dolphins this year. After trading away Ryan Tannehill in the offseason, the team brought in two new signal callers -- Rosen was picked up in a trade, and journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick was signed as a free agent -- to fill the position.

Fitzpatrick won the starting job in training camp, but a rough start to the season in which he completed just 25 of his 50 passes for 274 yards and threw four interceptions forced the coaching staff to go with Rosen in the next two games.

Rosen got some work in relief for Fitzpatrick as the opener against the Baltimore Ravens and Week 2 matchup against the New England Patriots each started to get out of hand. Rosen's production improved with more volume, though, and he finished his last game -- a 30-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers -- with 180 yards career-best 70.83% completion rate.

With both quarterbacks potentially being a factor in Sunday's game, the Redskins will "definitely" have a game plan for both scenarios, according to defensive coordinator Greg Manusky.

"They're two different guys," he said. "With both guys, we have to make sure we contain the rush lanes real well. And they can make all the throws…and we have to make sure we defend on the outside and in."

For Bostic and other Redskins players who have played against Fitzpatrick, they're familiar with what he can do on the field. The defense grabbed two interceptions on him last year in a 16-3 win, but the 14-year veteran still completed 70.7% of his throws for 406 yards.

Rosen's career has been erratic since he was drafted in 2018, but the defense recognizes that he has talent. Rosen has performed well in the first half of both his starts this year and has 482 passing yards this year.

Both quarterbacks have proven they can make plays, and the Redskins are aware of that.

"They're both pretty good quarterbacks," said cornerback Quinton Dunbar. "So you just have to pay attention to the details and pay attention to the (defensive) calls."

The Redskins are more concerned about themselves, though, no matter who is under center.

"We have to worry about us," Bostic said. "We have to take care of our side of the ball and put together a full 60 minutes."

And the defense knows stopping either Rosen or Fitzpatrick is not the only key to getting the first win of the year. Rather, it's about stopping the whole offense, which is what they are determined to do.

"They're offense is they're offense, no matter who's back there," Dunbar said. "So we're preparing for the Dolphins, not just for Rosen or Fitzpatrick."

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