Statistically, Ryan Tannehill is having a poor rookie campaign. He's thrown only 7 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and has one of the worst QB ratings in the league at 72.3.
But anybody who's watched Tannehill this season knows that he's showed signs of being that franchise QB this team has lacked for over a decade.
He's poised, in command, confident, and knows this offense better than anybody else on it.
So why is he, statistically, so far behind the likes of Andrew Luck, RGIII, and Russell Wilson? It's actually quite simple..
They all have playmakers surrounding them.
Tannehill, bluntly, does not.
Let's look at Andrew Luck. He's got one of the best wide receivers in the game in Reggie Wayne to throw to. He's got a rookie weapon in T.Y. Hilton to throw to. Heck, I'll even throw in rookie TE Colby Fleener, who's battled a injuries all season, but when healthy, is still a weapon for Luck.
What about RGIII? Well, for starters, he's got WR Santana Moss, who only has 7 TD's this year. He's got rookie RB Alfred Morris, who will probably eclipse the 1,000 yard mark tonight, and already has 6 TD's. And he's got Pierre Garcon, who, much like Fleener, has battled injuries all season, but when on the field, is yet another option for the rookie QB.
Russell Wilson? He's got them all around. Sydney Rice is having a monster year with 7 TD's. Marshawn Lynch is already nearing 1200 yards. Golden Tate has turned into the weapon most thought he would be out of college, putting up 7 TD's on the season. Heck, he's even got a polished veteran at TE in Zach Miller.
And now, we look at the arsenal around Ryan Tannehill. Yes, he's got Reggie Bush, but aside from him, the weapons are sparse. No disrespect to Davone Bess or Brian Hartline, both are fine receivers, but are they going to change a game like, say, a Reggie Wayne, or a Santana Moss, or a Sydney Rice will?
I don't think so.
Let me put it to you like this, when your number one receiver in Brian Hartline only has one TD on the season, you've got serious problems.
My point? The Dolphins don't have a game changer. They don't have somebody who can make a big play out of a five yard catch (like Brandon Marshall), or catch every pass, good or bad, thrown his way (like Reggie Wayne), or stretch the field (like Santana Moss).
They have one really solid number two receiver in Brian Hartline, and one of the better slot receivers in the game in Davone Bess.
And don't get me started on Anthony Fasano. His time is waaaaaaaaaaay past due here in Miami. Did he even play yesterday?
And then, of course, they've got Reggie Bush. Who, I may add, could very possibly not be with this team next season.
If the Miami Dolphins want Ryan Tannehill to blossom into this franchise QB, and, as I've said time and time again, I think he can, then they absolutely need to surround him with the pieces to do that.
James Jones comes to mind. Did you see that catch he made in the endzone yesterday for Aaron Rodgers? That ball is either intercepted or incomplete if Ryan Tannehill throws it. But Jones has done it time and time again this year, as he's already hauled in 9 TD's.
Greg Jennings comes to mind. The 29 year old will be a free agent next season, and I fully expect the Fins to take a look at him.
USC wide receiver Robert Woods comes to mind.
Heck, I'll even throw in Tennessee WR Justin Hunter.
This offense is severely lacking a play maker, a game changer, a weapon, and if Ryan Tannehill is to become that franchise QB everybody, including myself, has envisioned, then GM Jeff Ireland has to at least give him a chance to do so.
Because if you have playmakers to turn to, then you're really not that far off from playing in January.
Just ask Russell Wilson, RGIII, and Andrew Luck.
JAKE LONG UPDATE
Long left yesterday's game in the first quarter with a triceps injury, and did not return. Reports coming out of Miami have not been good, and, even though the team has yet to officially announce anything, it appears Long's season is over.
A team source told Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald today that Jake Long is "probably" out for the remainder of the season, and it would be a surprise to the team if he's not.
With Long facing free agency next season, one has to wonder if yesterday was his final game in a Dolphins uniform.
Until next time, adios.
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