Time For Audibles Is Now
Manning excelled in the NFL through the use of audibles. 2016 is Tannehill’s year to prove he can too.
LOS control through audibles has been a missing link in Tannehill’s game.
The NFL is a Quarterback driven league, and one point that can be agreed on is that all elite QB’s have one thing in common: the ability to take advantage of defenses pre-snap through the use of audibles.
QB’s that are students of the game find that strong preparation aids them in making the correct calls. Although, it doesn’t guarantee success, as many variables work against that preparation, but as Don Shula said, “Luck (fortune) favors the prepared.”
During Ryan Tannehill‘s first 4 seasons, he was never given total control at the LOS (line of scrimmage), but this year will be different. This is his year to show what his intellectual and emotional capabilities are at pre-snap, which will ultimately determine his future in Miami and in the NFL.
Adam Gase has already stated that he is going to give Tannehill the full authority to audible as he sees fit. This is a key point of development in Tannehill’s game that was suffocated, for whatever reason, by the previous regime of the Miami Dolphins.
On a side note, has anyone ever heard of a franchise QB not given control at the LOS?
Anyway, back to the present.
Gase is showing confidence in Tannehill’s intelligence and judgement. To those who aren’t high on Tannehill, let’s not forget he is far from a dummy having graduated from Texas A&M with a bachelor’s degree in biology en route to becoming an orthopedic surgeon.
Now, scholastic intelligence doesn’t directly equate into great game-time judgement. And it doesn’t take the best sportsbook to realize that the memorization and processing of information for a college exam isn’t going to end with coming face to face with 300LB defensive tackles, mad scientist defensive coordinators, 60 thousand fans, and pain…for Tannehill it has been a whole lot of pain.
Tannehill showing he can audible will go along way towards proving his detractors wrong.
But, a comforting factor for those who hope he can succeed pre-snap is his rare athletic ability that allowed him to successfully transition from Wide Receiver to Quarterback. Let’s understand that there a many forms of intelligence and athletic prowess is one of them: Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence is one of the “multiple intelligences” advanced by Harvard University cognition and education professor Howard Gardner. It’s easy to forget that the body is controlled by the mind and saying that Marino or Sanders are geniuses is completely valid from a scientific standpoint.
So, we know he has multiple forms of exceptional intelligence.
We know he is the first player to arrive at the stadium and the last player to leave every day, which shows his high level of commitment.
We know that this is the best line talent he has ever had.
We know that this coaching staff is behind him, and we know by Gase’s history that he is a capable coach.
Now, all we are waiting for, from an managing standpoint, is can Tannehill put it all together under fire.
Let’s be clear, even if this process is destined for success, Tannehill is not going to call all the right audibles. There will be a learning curve. However, the trajectory will be clear almost immediately. Now, Tannehill still needs to work on his accuracy in portions of the route tree, and his leadership needs to continue to grow. But, if he succeeds at controlling pre-snap through the use of audibles, his advances as a QB could make for a tremendous season. And that would nice. Wouldn’t it? Go Fins!!!
On the Defensive side of thing, have the Fins ever had linemen Ndamukong Suh to moved around a bit to create favorable matchups against the opposition’s worst offensive linemen?
honestly, I think he will end up a end in the 3-4…there’s no proof, but I believe they will eventually transition to 3-4 once wake and Williams contracts are up in 2 yrs. Tannenbaum and Joseph prefer it. I think though, if Alsono becomes a star they might stick with the 4-3 because he is more suited there. Again, it’s just a hunch. But, yeah Suh will be a true monster this year…
Hope the Best for Tannehill this season. Being the Dolphins Fan that I am, reading most sports talk around the league about the Fins etc. The conversation Focus currently with Ajai is becoming a better route runner and catcher. Also Tannheill working harder on his Accuracy. Are we lead to believed that everyone will be a receiver and the backfield blocking will not exit?
Dolphins = One dimensional
Who will block that blitzing L/B and Safeties? This is a topic that’s never discuss? The Fins will have to address this issue sooner or later. We need a safety net in the back field who possess natural blocking skills not learning how to block. That one more second, gaining that powerful 1or 3 rushing yards or that rushing block for a Tailback could mean a Victory.
The Arizona Cardinal are most likely the Best NFL Team. Defensively and Offensively because of their balance. They focused on a proven Rushing, Passing and special teams.
From all I’ve heard Steve, Ajayi is better at protection than receiving. But, the drop off after him, should he go down, seems a bit stark. Gase is very high on the run game and I firmly believe that he believes he’ll have balance. Now, I can’t say if what he is believing will come true. 🙂 If the line play advances alot then it will boost the talent in the back field. I hope, brother. I hope. And yeah, Arians is such a good coach – so good.
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I like our Running Backs But First and foremost the runner needs to be able to protect the QB Tannehill,” Obviously it’s ideal to have a guy who is functional out of the backfield catching the football, but at the end of the day if they can’t protect Tannehill they have a hard time getting on the field.” We can say that Our offensive line will do their job. But the Dolphins should not open the season finding out!
A. Can’t block blitzing defensive players?
B. Not healthy enough to Block?
C. Can’t handle 15 carries a game?
Play to the Dolphins Strengths: (11 Game winning Formula)
Tannehill Run more to get that 1st down off play action
15 carries average for Ajayi and Drake (30 carries total)
10 Screen plays average a game No trick plays
Know which pass your QB is best at and perfect it!
Defense will not be an issue for the Dolphins this season they are one of the Best.
Agree With most of what you said about How to get 11 wins this season. However, 10 screen passes a game is insane on the NFL level. In my opinion.
You know Tye I thought so too, but I did some checking after your post and, incredibly, it’s not that far off the average of 6.32 completed per game!!!! I think Miami has used it so little that we may miss how much it’s being used now…this was a eye opener for me. Now Gase called just over 5 screens completed a game in 2015, so 10 might not be so far off:
http://pro32.ap.org/alicetx/article/low-risk-high-reward-screen-passes-being-used-more-nfl
I think A) is covered, but A is in jeopardy if the back can’t catch.
B) is the biggie…not sure on that one. I’d like another back of quality brought in as insurance, unless 34 can finally put it all together. Always thought Williams could be a good back.
C) Only Ajayi seems to a be a guy who can do that and he is another ?.
I think pass catching and injury surpasses pass blocking for concern…not because they are more important, but because they are the greater weakness.
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I read this article off of the Bleacher Report.
Adam Gase Comments on Jay Ajayi, Role of the Running Back in Dolphins Offense
You have to be able to do it all. It’s not a one-trick pony type of offense. You have to be able to protect. You have to be able to run the ball. You have to be able to catch. So we really don’t believe in, ‘Hey, you’re just a first- and second-down back.’ I don’t know what that means. We look for guys that can stay on the field all three downs because we’re not looking to ‘sub’ personnel.
Tannehill also needs Ajayi to have a big year and take some pressure off of him.
While it’s possible Drake could crack the rotation as a situational player, Gase seems determined to have Ajayi stay on the field for all three downs, provided he has the skill set and understanding of the offense to do so.
On a honest note I see the Dolphins 2009 – 2015 having a finesse running game.
As a Fan I’ve long for the Dolphins to have a serious run game since 2008. Ajayi can handle this task if healthy and Drake will be a line backer nightmare But given the opportunities.
My concern is Durability for both players. Last season against the Bill Miami was on the 2 yard line and passed all four plays and failed under Lazor no desire in the run game. I would still like to see a Fullback to help but Gase evidently believed that Ajayi can handle these task and stay on the field Ajayi seems to think so!
Healthy Ajayi yes he can, I believed he can and the success of the Dolphins will depend how wells he performs.
Yeah, durability and pass catching are the nightmare that permeates the backfield in one shape or another. Only Williams doesn’t have either issue, but he has a greater one…inconsistency and fumblitis. I still think they will get another back to fill the ranks. I have a tendency to like the power game over the finesse. But, if done right, in a spread system with many weapons it could work, and it seems that where the NFL is heading more and more. I agree, but hoping Gase can pull it off!!!