Miami Dolphins: Increased Hope for Ryan Tannehill?
The Miami Dolphins have made the playoffs only once over the past 14 seasons and that was back in 2008. Can new head coach Adam Gase get quarterback Ryan Tannehill and this team turned around?
After years of progression since entering the NFL in 2012, Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill appeared to take a step backwards this past season.
It’s hard to dispute the facts. Then again, this is a franchise that hasn’t enjoyed a winning season nor a trip to the playoffs since 2008. Fairly or unfairly, the blame most falls on the man behind center.
But the numbers in 2015 were indeed a good indication of some slight digression by the four-year signal-caller.
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As a rookie, Tannehill went through the expected growing pains. The one-time wide receiver turned quarterback would hit on just 58.3 percent of his passes for 3,294 yards, 12 scores and 13 interceptions. One year later, he slightly improved on his completion percentage (60.4) and did throw four more picks (17) but he doubled up on his touchdown passes (24).
The third year looked pretty charming for Tannehill, who connected on 66.4 percent of his throws for 4,045 yards and more than twice as many scoring strikes (27) as interceptions (12). But despite totaling a career-best 4,208 through the air and 24 touchdowns (compared to 12 INTs), his completion percentage slipped to 61.9.
Now enter new head coach Adam Gase and new offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen, who help to get Tannehill back on track. He still has Pro Bowl wideout Jarvis Landry (110 receptions last season), explosive Kenny Stills and 2015 first-round pick DeVante Parker, who came on strong as the year wore on. The franchise also drafted wide receivers Leonte Carroo (Rutgers) and Jakeem Grant (Texas Tech) in the third and sixth round, respectively, this past spring.
But it’s Tannehill that must get acclimated to a new coach and system. So far this offseason, he has made a positive impression on at least one of his teammates.
“Definitely just seeing a lot more growth just through this year,” said second-year running back Jay Ajayi recently on NFL Network’s NFL HQ (and recapped by Tyler Dragon of NFL.com). “You know last year for me I was a rookie so I was still trying to just figure everything out, now just being in the mix, being out there with him in the huddle and everything, it’s been really great.
“Seeing how he’s been able to work with coach (Adam) Gase and seeing what he’s been doing on the line of scrimmage, just being able to make those different calls and things like that, it’s been really cool to see and I’m excited to see him blossom and really dominate this year.”
Let’s not forget what Gase did last season for much-maligned Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. The often-criticized pro cut down on his mistakes as time went on and also emerged as a leader and a player who could lead his team from behind on more than one occasion. Two of Chicago’s six wins last season (following a 0-3 start) were road victories at Kansas City and at Green Bay.
Of course, Tannehill can’t do it alone. Ajayi will try and fill the shoes of free-agent departure Lamar Miller. And the offensive line must perform better. The young quarterback has been sacked an unsettling 184 times in 64 career outings.
Yes, it was once again another busy offseason of player additions for a franchise that has done that a lot in recent seasons. One year after adding the likes of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and tight end Jordan Cameron, there have been plenty of additions and departures. The newcomers include defensive ends Mario Williams, Andre Branch and Jason Jones, linebacker Kiko Alonso, cornerback Byron Maxwell and free safety Isa Abdul-Quddus. It would not be the recent Dolphins without a slew of changes.
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Still, if the Dolphins are going to make waves in the AFC East this fall, it will have to start with better play from Tannehill and the offense in general. And if Gase can get the talented quarterback headed back in the right direction, this could be a very intriguing team to watch as the season unfolds.