With Tannehill at the helm, managing expectations a must for Dolfans

Dan Marino isn't on this list.  Nor is Bob Griese.  This list is small, in-fact, its total occupancy starts and stops at one.

It's a new list, just three days old to be exact, and the ink is just starting to dry.  You won't find a hall-of-famer on this thing.  You won't find a Pro Bowler.  Heck, you'll barely even find an NFL resume on this particular list.

The list reads-

"Rookie Quarterbacks to start for the Miami Dolphins:

1. Ryan Tannehill"

Ready or not, Dolfans, the future is now.  T-Minus 13 days.

The Ryan Tannehill era is upon us.  Too soon?  Some may argue that, and they have. Too raw?  Perhaps.  Too inexperienced?  Probably.  

So what?

When Tannehill was drafted in April isn't this what we wanted?  I know it's what Joe Philbin wanted.  And Mike Sherman too.  But only, ONLY, if he earned it.  Tannehill wasn't going to get the keys to the Mercedes right out of the gate, nor should he have. The kid had to show improvement, poise, leadership, and, above all, trustworthiness. Trust that he wasn't going to wreck the car right out of the driveway. Trust that he wasn't going to blow the engine up trying to start the car, or worse, put it in reverse when she needs to go forward.

Ryan Tannehill needed the trust of his coaching staff, and he got it.

Now he needs the trust of something much, much larger.

You, Dolfans.

That's the kind of trust that really builds confidence.  That's the kind of trust that can start something special in Miami.  That's the kind of trust that has the Mercedes cruising down I-95, full steam ahead.

Think trust doesn't matter all that much?  Just ask Mark Sanchez.  

How's the big apple treatin' ya, Mark?

Treat this relationship like you would any other, and that means taking the good with the bad.  There will be plenty of bumps along the way.  You're gonna have one good week, one great week, and then, out of nowhere, a terrible one.  

But realize this now and take them in stride, Dolfans.  Realize that, at first, with every touchdown there may come two interceptions.  That with every perfect pass in an oh so tight window, there will be the ones to the wide open receiver that fall two feet short. That with every step up and scramble for a 15 yard run, there will be the "deer-in-the-headlights" sack for a 15 yard loss.

With a rookie QB, you must, MUST, manage your expectations.  I'm not saying Tannehill couldn't and won't exceed them, because he very well could (i.e. Andy Dalton, Cam Newton, Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco), but at the same time your expectations must be within the range of exceeding.  As hard as this is to hear, even for myself, this year isn't about the playoffs, not since Tannehill was named the starter. It isn't about a set number of wins,  It isn't about an AFC East title.  It's about progression, direction, and improvement with Ryan Tannehill, and if all of those arrows are pointing up at seasons end, then anything else is, as they say, gravy.

Our expectations must be managed.  Whether Tannehill starts out 1-5 or 5-1, they must be kept in check for a full 16 weeks.

If we can do that, Dolfans, then that Mercedes may just be cruising after all.

And that list can be put away for a long, long time.