Miami Dolphins: Ryan Tannehill will shine in 2015

With a new contract and more talent around him, expect Ryan Tannehill to shine in 2015. In return, the Miami Dolphins will reap the rewards.

At the end of September in the 2014 NFL season, there were reports that the Miami Dolphins’ organization did not believe in Ryan Tannehill. There were also rumors that the Dolphins would give to the keys to the offense to backup quarterback and career journeyman Matt Moore.

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Hearing all of this criticism, Tannehill responded in the biggest way by having the best year of his career in terms of statistics and overall team production. Despite not having the best talent around him, Tannehill completed 66.4 of his throws for 4,045 yards – both career highs. He also threw 27 touchdowns to just 12 interceptions.

Dec 28, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) throws a pass in the second half at Sun Life Stadium. The Jets defeated Miami 37-24. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Sometimes, the thing a player needs most is a little confidence. By extending him to a six-year deal worth up to $95 million, with $45 million of it guaranteed. By giving Tannehill this contract, the Dolphins have made it clear to the NFL and, more importantly, to Tannehill that he is the guy that will lead them to the playoffs.

Despite being hired in January to be the team’s executive vice president, Mike Tannenbaum had this to say about Tannehill and why they re-signed ex-Texas A&M player.

Tannenbaum on Tannehill: “He is an ascending talent, a team leader and checks all of the boxes you are looking for at the position.”
— Andrew Abramson (@AbramsonFL) May 18, 2015

General manager Dennis Hickey, who is one of the league’s biggest believers in analytics in sports had this to say about the re-signing of Tannehill:

"Signing Ryan to this deal is important to our franchise. He is a proven quarterback in this league that combines a talented skillset with work ethic, passion, toughness, and a team first mentality. We are committed and believe in Ryan as our quarterback for the long-term and we are excited to be able to sign him to this extension."

As I said earlier, Tannehill had the best year of his career with guys like Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline, and Charles Clay around him. A few months have gone by since the 2014 NFL season, the Dolphins really have made a complete overall to the pass-catchers around Tannehill.

Dec 7, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Cameron (84) makes a diving catch during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Wallace was traded away to the Minnesota Vikings, Hartline signed with the Cleveland Browns, and Charles Clay signed with the Buffalo Bills. In need of offensive firepower, the Dolphins traded for home-run threat Kenny Stills, signed stud tight end Jordan Cameron, drafted the third best receiver in this year’s draft in DeVante Parker, and signed an aging, yet experienced veteran in Greg Jennings.

A pass-catching corps of Parker, Jennings, Stills, and Cameron is much, much better than a corps of Wallace, Hartline, and Clay. With all of that said, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if Tannehill improved even further upon his 2014 season.

Over the offseason, the Dolphins got better on both sides of the football. Their most notable move was the one to sign the best player in free agency this offseason in Ndamukong Suh. With the New England Patriots losing key players on the defensive side of the football, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Dolphins won the AFC East this upcoming season.

After years of mediocre quarterbacks like Moore, Chad Pennington, Chad Henne, and even Cleo Lemon, the Dolphins finally are committed long-term to a quarterback that still has yet to reach his potential. While he doesn’t get the publicity other first-round 2012 NFL draft quarterbacks like Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III receive, Tannehill has improved steadily in each of his years in the NFL. I’m banking on him breaking out amongst the league’s best quarterbacks in 2015. That’s how much faith I have in No. 17.

Next: Miami Dolphins 2015 NFL Draft Grades

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