Can Tannehill Earn Even A Mention For the 2017 MVP Candidate?

Say what you want about talk of MVP, but Tannehill has endured and had to develop under tough circumstances.

Say what you want about talk of MVP, but Tannehill has endured and had to develop under tough circumstances.

Tannehill has grown under Gase… but enough to get into the MVP ballpark?

Yeah, I’m sure this will seem a completely crazy title to some: Ryan Tannehill and MVP in the same sentence, but maybe not, because I think we are about to see a new height in #17’s ceiling.

Now I’m not saying he’ll win the MVP, but I can see him being included in the talk at some point in this season.

I have been mostly a supporter of Tannehill, but there have also been times specifically in the 2015 season and early in the 2016 season where I began to hope Miami would draft another QB, because I wasn’t 100% sold on him.

Most of it revolved around his demeanor and clutch play.

And yes, I took the line into account.

However, the guy refuses to quit working hard on improving.

He does everything coaches ask him to do, puts in tremendous amounts of time into improving his craft, and has progressively become better each season… and even made big strides in some of his most glaring weaknesses: his deep ball and pocket presence.

Tannehill’s progression was such that he became one of the top deep-ball passers in 2016.

Yeah, he’s coming off a knee injury–that’s the reality. And from what I have read and heard the MCL has mended, but the ACL will have a tear until the surgery is performed. Despite this, everyone in Miami, including Tannehill, is saying won’t miss a beat and will be ready for OTA’s.

Yes, there might be a dash of propaganda sprinkled on the truth… but maybe not.

It will be interesting to see if his mobility is affected and if there are any lingering effects from his injury– both physical and psychological.

MVP for a Miami QB hasn’t happened in decades

His mobility will be an essential ingredient in the recipe of him reaching the highest level of Quarterbacking.

But I believe if Tannehill can get close to full health, then he will blow past last year’s 2,995 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and 93.5 QB rating.

2017 Tannehill will have the luxury of playing in Adam Gases’ offense for the second year in a row, which most pay per head review sites understands as a big advantage compared to year 1 of a new system.

This alone means the playbook can be refined and expanded: Gase knows what the “O” and Tannehill does well, and he can now add more nuances to what works. With at least 6 returning starters returning, they will be more in sync early in minicamp, and instead of stumbling out of the gates, they will be ready to take off Week 1.

We have already mentioned in past articles that Miami has some very dangerous weapons on offense in Ajayi, Landry, Stills, Parker, and now Thomas. As long as Miami can get some decent play from their offensive line, then Miami has a chance to have a scary good offense.

And yes, IF THE LINE PLAYS WELL will be a major determiner.

But, foolish or not, I’m not as skeptical as most about this.

Of course, time will tell.

But, just look at Matt Ryan last year, where he made the leap from a slightly above-average QB into an elite QB.

And again, yes that was with the 6th ranked Offensive Line. So, given Miami’s line won’t be near that range, I simply see Tannehill on the outside looking in… but looking in nonetheless.

It will take the whole offense playing well for Tannehill to near the lofty goal of MVP

Ironically, Tannehill and Ryan have had eerily similar stats over the previous years: 2015 Ryan passed for 4,591 yards, 21 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, and an 89.0 QB rating, and Tannehill passed for 4,208 yards, 24 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and an 88.7 QB rating.

Another optimistic comparison is that in 2015 Ryan had a new head coach and offense with Dan Quinn, and then he made the leap to greatness in his second year with Quinn. So considering that Gase has received tremendous praise for what he was able to accomplish with the Dolphins last year, isn’t it a fair bet that he and Tannehill will be even better in year two?

The biggest thing Tannehill now needs (beyond better O-Line play) is to improve on limiting his interceptions–of course, you can add the qualifier that he was at the top of the league in picks that had the receivers being more responsible than him.

He also still needs to get better at protecting the football… and in knowing when to throw the ball away.

So even though it may seem crazy that Tannehill–who is still heavily criticized–can encroach on MVP type season, the fact is that he has all the tools, weapons, work ethic, and now Coach to make that crazy thought into a reality.

I guess at this time of the year it’s easy to make bold predictions and have delusions of grandeur… but stranger things have happened. What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans’ thoughts about whether or not Ryan Tannehill has a realistic chance to play like an MVP candidate in 2017?

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12 comments

  • Steve

    Here are the QB Facts for 2016.

    AFC EAST
    Tom Brady, New England Patriots: 65.5 completion percentage, 5,100 yards, 38 TDs, 6 INTS
    Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins: 64.9 completion percentage, 3,560 yards, 26 TDs, 10 INTs
    Josh McCown, New York Jets (four games): 55.4 completion percentage, 1,300 yards, 6 TDs, 8 INTs
    Christian Hackenberg (eventual starter): 53.4 completion percentage, 2,880 yards, 12 TDs, 10 INTs
    Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo Bills: 62.1 completion percentage, 3,360 yards, 20 TDs, 8 INTs

    AFC North
    Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens: 65.1 completion percentage, 3,952 yards, 23 TDs, 11 INTs
    Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals: 64.3 completion percentage, 4,250, 28 TDs, 13 INTs
    Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers: 64.4 completion percentage, 4,783 yards, 36 TDs, 13 INTs
    Cody Kessler, Cleveland Browns: 62.1 completion percentage, 2,720 yards, 17 TDs, 13 INTs

    AFC South
    Tom Savage, Houston Texans (10 games): 60.0 completion percentage, 1,700 yards, 9 TDs, 6 INTs
    DeShaun Watson (eventual starter): 62.1 completion percentage, 1,550 yards, 8 TDs, 4 INTs
    Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars: 57.7 completion percentage, 4,160, 25 TDs, 16 INTs
    Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts: 63.8 completion percentage, 4,608 yards, 30 TDs, 12 INTs
    Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans: 63.1 completion percentage, 3,760 yards, 30 TDs, 10 INTs

    AFC West

    Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs: 66.0 completion percentage, 3,480 yards, 18 TDs, 6 INTs
    Trevor Siemian, Denver Broncos: 60.8 completion percentage, 3,635 yards, 20 TDs, 11 INTs
    Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders: 64.1 completion percentage, 4,550 yards, 32 TDs, 8 INTs
    Philip Rivers, Los Angeles Chargers: 63.5 completion percentage, 4,483, 30 TDs, 16 INTs

    NFC East
    Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles: 63.5 completion percentage, 4,080 yards, 24 TDs, 12 INTS
    Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins: 65.8 completion percentage, 4,872 yards, 29 TDs, 14 INTs
    Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: 66.1 completion percentage, 3,800 yards, 27 TDs, 7 INTs

    NFC North
    Sam Bradford, Minnesota Vikings: 65.2 completion percentage, 4,150 yards, 22 TDs, 10 INTs
    Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers: 65.8 completion percentage, 4,520 yards, 38 TDs, 6 INTs
    Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions: 65.6 completion percentage, 4,425 yards, 26 TDs, 11 INTs
    Mike Glennon, Chicago Bears: 58.4 completion percentage, 3,584 yards, 20 TDs, 16 INTs

    NFC South
    Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 62.4 completion percentage, 4,435 yards, 32 TDs, 14 INTs
    Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints: 69.1 completion percentage, 5,150 yards, 36 TDs, 13 INTs
    Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers: 58.7 completion percentage, 3,645 passing yards, 23 TDs, 12 INTs
    Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons: 68.7 completion percentage, 5,100 passing yards, 35 TDs, 9 INTs

    NFC West
    Brian Hoyer, San Francisco 49ers: 58.6 completion percentage, 3,225 yards, 18 TDs, 11 INTs
    Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks: 66.7 completion percentage, 4,165 yards, 28 TDs, 9 INTs
    Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals: 63.7 completion percentage, 4,255 yards, 24 TDs, 15 INTs
    Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams: 57.8 completion percentage, 2,930 yards, 18 TDs, 13 INTs

    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2711299-2017-stat-predictions-for-all-32-nfl-starting-quarterbacks

  • Dunner

    Lemmus, Lemmus, Lemmus,,,,,, WHO is smoking?????? A top 5 pick next year????? That means we would have to win 3-4 games, maybe 5??????? I was not on board with the Tanny MVP reference, but there is no way in h**l I can even imagine your scenario coming to fruition???? They will surpass the 4 win total by week 6 if not sooner.

    Brother, give me some of that stuff. Tanny may not be the second coming of Marino, but I did notice a decent improvement upon Gase’s arrival.

    • Lemmus

      …”no way in h*ll” eh? …at least 4-2 out of the gate, eh?
      …well it’s the “easy” part of the schedule so you might be right
      …truth is, I hope you’re right and I’m wrong …but I don’t think so

      …IF …and it’s a big IF …Asiata earns a start and plays better than his pick …then maybe
      …IF …and it’s a big IF …one of the other warm bodies at G outplays his past …then maybe
      …IF …and it’s a big IF …Pouncy stays healthy
      …IF …oh hell, this could go on forever

      …you do not, as of today, have a competitive OL, that’s a given
      …and our MVP candidate QB still has a tear in his ACL and is wearing a brace
      …playing dodge’m behind a weak OL isn’t a recipe for career longevity

      …you do not, as of today, have a demonstrably better LB corps despite 1/2 picks and a high cost FA
      …we have 5 former MLBs competing for 1 MLB slot and 2 OLB slots in a 4-3 zone defence with a rookie DC
      …and the high priced FA slotted at MLB is most likely a 2 down LB
      …y’all can rage against the wind all day but until I see it on the field, I’m not buying the fix

      …it all comes down to Gase …he’s a 2nd year HC with a rookie DC …he had a good 1st year …can he repeat? …I don’t know and neither does anyone else right now …the bookies all say no

      …but then what do they know, eh

      • Dunner

        Ifs and Buts, I know, the same could be said about majority of the teams. But, if they don’t start well in first 6 games (4-2), you may onto something.

  • Jimmy

    Truthfully I think it is Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers to lose, however Tannehill could really surprise a lot of people this year. He is entering his 6th season, second under Gase, and he may arguably be surrounded by the most talented group of offensive playmakers he has had in his entire career. Sure a lot will depend on the offensive line, but if they can play resonably well then Miami can easily have a top 10 offense, which would mean Tannehill would have some very nice statistics

    • Dunner

      I’ll take the field (other than Brady/Rodgers). For some reason I think there is going to start to be a swing in power and dominance (which I think the league is hoping for as well). Don’t get me wrong, both will still be themselves, but if anyone can compare I believe said player(s) gets the nod.

    • Steve

      Ball controlled and the turn over rate is what separates These QB’s from the rest.

      Tom Brady, New England Patriots: 65.5 completion percentage, 5,100 yards, 38 TDs, 6 INTS
      Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons: 68.7 completion percentage, 5,100 passing yards, 35 TDs, 9 INTs
      Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers: 65.8 completion percentage, 4,520 yards, 38 TDs, 6 INTs
      Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers: 64.4 completion percentage, 4,783 yards, 36 TDs, 13 INTs

  • Dunner

    Team MVP, maybe? League MVP, can only hope!

    • admin

      Yeah, Jimmy was a little burboned up on this one :). But it was more about getting into the conversation rather than winning it. The O-Line isn’t good enough, but if he can do a little better than 2014 maybe 15-20% he’ll be in the discussion. Don’t forget he had 4k yards 27TDs and 12 picks! That’s was a darn good year… and that was with Philbust.

      • Dunner

        I hear ya and agree. I think that was the quietest 4K season ever! But hey, you never know, this offense should be top 10 good and if this O-Line gels, why not? At least consideration in that scenario.

        • admin

          Again, I don’t see him getting the MVP… and the O-Line is dependent on it all–jimmy is more gunho on it than me– but I can see him surpassing 2014 and that would give him consideration… althougb someone else will win it.

          • Lemmus

            …sigh …I’m wondering just what it is y’all are smoking these days?

            …otas just began and here you are putting a weakened QB up for MVP?

            …sure it’s possible …but c’mon …I think there’s a better chance the fins win the SB than TH winning the MVP

            …now if it was Ajayi being talked about, I’d allow how it just might be a rational possibility if this ‘n this ‘n that were to play out …but TH?

            …my bet right now would be that our season gives us a top 5 pick next year and we’ll take a QB …and not pay TH the 20+ mil he’ll be due in 2018

            …I know, I know …I’m guilty of being a negative nellie again …but pardon me if I think that’s what’s due at this point in time …much as I hate to think so