Some fans think there is no hope in fixing the Fins for 2016 because Ryan Tannehill is a bust. Some Fans think a “fan” must always have hope and Tannehill has been robbed with poor coaching, a poor system, and poor O-Line play. Then there are also those who are in the middle and not sure about either the QB or the Dolphins future. Despite whatever anyone believes, the bottom line is 2016 is the year of Ryan Tannehill. Fact is, whether cut or traded the cap hit for his departure is 11.5 million dollars…which means, he is staying till at least 2017 where the figure drops to 6.9 million. Miami Dolphins are destined to have 2016 be a sink or swim season based on his play.
I have found myself called a T-Hill lover when I defend him, and told I know nothing about football. And then when I critique his play, the other side calls me a hater and says I am not a Dolphin Fan and I should find another team. Frankly, I’m neither. And I hope the next coach and GM is neither as well. The problem is we lacked a pragmatic approach in dealing with Tannehill from the start.
Think of all the contradictions that have been applied to him since he has gotten here. Mobile QB given cement shoes by making him sit in the pocket. Green as a big time passer, but given little running game to help him make the transition. Given the burden and contract of an elite QB and then not allowed to call audibles. Told he needed to be tougher, but then having the players he practiced against to go easy on him so as not “to hurt his feelings”. Given a full WR core in a crucial year, but then given a depleted O-line. This is schizophrenic coaching and development. This is indisputable. What is also indisputable is no one knows how he would have developed if all things had been handled perfectly – I’ll say this though, it wouldn’t take the best sportsbooks in the world to see it couldn’t have been worse.
2016 IS the “Year Of Ryan Tannehill”, but it doesn’t need to mean elite or bust…and if we get a good coach and GM, it shouldn’t. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tom Brady both are having successful seasons. One is a piece of the puzzle and one is THE piece of the puzzle. For those who don’t remember, Brady started out as a piece of the puzzle and then was developed into THE piece. The new regime coming in needs to reboot Tannehill’s career to see if he can at the very least be A piece to the 2016 Dolphins, because 2017 is big time commitment for the long haul. And just as it would suck being stuck with high priced garbage, it would equally suck to see him go somewhere else and be an effective signal caller. Roughly a third of the leagues QB’s are exceptional and can carry a team. Roughly a third of the leagues QB’s are good and can matriculate teams to wins. And the last third of the leagues QB are missing something or figuring something out, and are good enough to be stop gaps till something better comes along. You can win with all three levels IF the team is built around a sober estimation of what their QB is. For Tannehill and what he is getting paid, only 1 out of 3 ain’t bad. But, a slight restructuring and 2 out of 3 ain’t bad either.