This experiment has a lot of variables: protection issues, no run game, and an unending list of OC’s.
Has the experiment of WR turned QB, turned Dolphins cornerstone failed?
The Miami Dolphins experiment of Wide Receiver turned Quarterback Ryan Tannehill has continued with new coaches, a new scheme and some new players; but, it’s been the same old Dolphins results: lots of losing.
Yes, the Defense is still getting run over. And yes, the offense still fails to protect and open holes consistently, much less score many points.The net result of these factors with Tannehill as the face of the franchise is the 2016 Dolphins are piling up losses nearly as fast as their 2007 debacle.
But, remove all these surrounding negative factors for just a moment and focus on this simple question: would Tannehill be a 20 million dollar QB and the cornerstone of the franchise if all these things get fixed?!
At this point it appears the answer is not likely. So, for me, the Tannehill experiment is now all but over.
I have actually been a Tannehill supporter and felt he had the tools to make it in this league. However, no one can be a truly successful QB in the NFL if they stand in the pocket like a statue and stare down receivers.
Again, his offensive line is not doing him any favors, but he seemingly can’t feel pressure unless it is smacking him in the face. And yes there are times he has no chance, but when he does have the opportunity, he needs to step up or roll-out of the pocket and stop being killed because he’s clueless to the pressure.
These negative factors don’t even take into account his proclivity for poor throws in crucial situations. He can make some truly amazing passes that make you say okay here we go, but in the end, they are balanced or surpassed by drive ending misses or game killing picks.
It’s amazing what he has accomplished. Not many could have come this far changing positions half-way through a college career — but, as much as I admire the attempt, he isn’t what the the Dolphins hoped he would amount to and paid for.
Before the draft I wrote that I really wanted Miami to pick a QB. I said that Miami should always be drafting a QB each and every year. Miami surprisingly did draft a QB, but of course they waited until the 7th round and drafted a very raw prospect in Brandon Doughty. In case anyone remembers my number one choice was Dak Prescott, and I even said we could draft him in the 3rd or 4th round. Prescott ended up going to the Cowboys in the 4th round with 37th pick in that round. For those pay per head software fans that are living under a rock, Prescott has led the Cowboys to a 4-1 record. And while he has what Tannehill never had as far as support of protection and a run game, he has already proved himself in 4 games to be better at consistency, handling pressure, and leadership then Tannehill has in 5 years.
Miami is never going to get out of this almost 2 decade slump until they find a quality QB. Miami is probably going to have a top 5 draft pick in the 2017 Draft, and if Coach Adam Gase gets another year as coach (which at this point ins’t a certainty), then he better use that pick to draft a QB. I would even go a step farther and draft two QBs and let the youngsters battle it out. If that does not work, then draft a QB every year in one of the first three rounds until we find one that can be a true franchise QB. This rudderless madness that has been an ongoing tragedy since Marino left has got to stop!!!
Every experiment has a time limit: 2016 is Tannehill’s limit.
The reality is that the success of a football team is heavily tied to the play of their QB, and until Miami actually finds a well-rounded, talented QB, they are not going to be a playoff team…and I for one am not getting any younger.
Doughty is currently on the Dolphins practice squad, but it might be worth putting him on the 53 man roster at some point later in the year and giving him a chance to play. Sure, the primary backup is Matt Moore, but all of us Miami Dolphins News fans know that Moore is not the long term answer. So let’s give Doughty a chance at some point to see if he can play or not. What is the worst thing that can happen, we lose another game?
Now, on a final note, I can also see two reasons why Tannehill should stay in for most of the year. First, if he can somehow start to produce even little, he might generate some trade value. Maybe he could get traded with a restructured deal and Miami could get even a little in return. As bad as he can make Fin Fans feel, there are at least 10 teams that would consider taking a chance on him an upgrade. I know it’s a long shot, but there’s not much to lose. Also, the second reason is there could be a miracle if this O-Line can come together — I know it’s sounds ridiculous to many, but it’s simply all due diligence. Again, it’s better to be totally certain than sorry. Besides, if he keeps losing Miami is positioning itself for a better pick.
This was always the most crucial question of 2016: Is Ryan Tannehill THE guy. I would prefer a much different outcome, but as long as Miami nails this decision, the future should get brighter. Go Fins!!!