It was early on last year when I heard the Dolphins didn’t use audibles. I had rationalized and dismissed it because it was a new system, new coordinator, and Tanny was really only beginning his 5th year as a QB ( 2 at A&M and 2 with Fins). And actually, after that I totally forgot about it – I’m not the sharpest spoon in the drawer. It was again a few weeks ago that it surfaced, here or there, can’t remember where, that Tanny wasn’t calling audibles. Again, I thought they meant wholesale swaps of plays, but he was making adjustments at the LOS.
Last week it hit me like a collapsing mountain as the announcers were berating Tanny for not optioning out of obviously disastrous play calls based on the “D’s” looks – he literally has zero control over his “O’s” calls…nada, zip, zilch: NOTHING! They went over in slow motion a run left that died the moment of the snap and asked what was Tanny doing?! They had zero clue about his offensive situation and the absolute lack of dynamics from a franchise QB, picked in the first round, in his 5th year, and projected as the savior of the franchise.
Last time I remember a Miami QB strapped with such chains was Dan Marino’s last year. Jimmy had taken his ability to call audibles and Dan had to walk up to the line and just snap – now he had WR adjustment calls on routes. But as far as moving out of obvious failed plays, being a on field general, he had zero control. Now, I’m not sure if Tanny has route options audibles or not – I believe so. I haven’t had time to go back and look over game tape to see (this week I sure as heck will be watching). BUT, even if he does, I know for damn sure that that’s about it!
There are only two ways of looking at this monumental decision and neither is comforting.
First rationale: Tannehill, a starting NFL QB, is just not smart enough, just not good enough to handle the load and he can’t read his fronts, secondary alignments and drops well enough to make even the most basic audible adjustments. Not even the best sportsbooks in the world would bet that smart in books equates to smarts on the field, I know, but he was a chem major with a 3.5 or so G.P.A – so this means he is a near moron on the field, or at least that is how he is perceived. The problem here is legion. The obvious, Tannehill is a body without a brain on the field and that we are strapped with a QB who will NEVER beat good teams because good team force QB’s the adjust – no adjustments no wins, no rings. But, this also reveals absolute ineptitude in those who are at the top. Why would you pay him like they do? Why would you strap a franchise to such an inept leader? This is disastrous in totality and the rudder of the ship is a rotted mess and we are screwed.
Second rationale: offensive coaching staff is inept, controlling, and either can’t or has no desire to turn over the reigns to the QB. This is the better option. It would mean that Tanny has been strapped with weights and we have not seen the best of him. This would also speak volumes of his inability to deal with good teams, why his first halves are often terrible, and also his narrow vision in blitz adjustments. In this scenario, he has been trained to be a robot. He goes out and follows a map the best he can. When the map is a good one, he comes out hot, when it adjusts in the second half he does better, when plays are the right ones he has a chance, and when the map is wrong he fails. This also has its obvious problems in regards to the staff. The curious thing though is if this is the case, it reaches beyond simply Lazor to Campbell’s doorstep and the FO. It could simply be that Campbell can’t make such changes mid season and Philbin was too gutless to release control – I have no clue.
I am so surprised that this hasn’t exploded on the scene as a MAJOR issue – it seems like a Jedi mind trick has been played and the “zero audible thing”, “Are not the droids you are looking for”. But in my mind this a the crux of our issues in regards to the uneven play we see from the Miami Dolphins. This needs answering, pronto. I don’t have those answers, only questions, and I truly look forward to the Findom’s thoughts because this an elephant in the room and it’s sitting on my head!! Go Fins!!