In taking down Luck, Ryan Tannehill could jump into young QB spotlight

He was the eighth overall selection in the 2012 NFL draft.

He was the first rookie QB to start all 16 games for the Miami Dolphins since... ever.

He took over a team with no legitimate WR's except Brian Hartline, led by a first time head coach, and led them to a surprising 7-9 season.

All of this while only playing 19 career games under center.

Nineteen.

Yet, even after taking down two of his four sophomore counterparts (Russell Wilson and Brandon Weeden), Ryan Tannehill remains under the radar.

For now.

This time tomorrow, if everything falls into place, the spotlight that's shone so brightly on RGIII, Russell Wilson, and Andrew Luck will gain a new member.

Yes, this game means much more than a possible 2-0 record heading home.

For better or worse, this game defines the QB Ryan Tannehill is, and the QB he's going to be.

He went toe to toe with Andrew Luck for three quarters a season ago, but came up short in the waning minutes.  Despite a good, if not great, showing, Tannehill was deemed inferior to the almighty Luck.

And his status remains unchanged a year later.  Despite beating Russell Wilson, Andy Dalton, Carson Palmer, and former first overall pick Sam Bradford, the order still looks like this:

1. Andrew Luck

2. RGII

3. Russell Wilson

4. Ryan Tannehill

And for good reason.  Actually, really only for one reason:  Playoffs.

Luck took his team to the postseason, so did RGIII, so did Russell Wilson.  In any other season, any other draft class, what Tannehill did last season, with the team he did it with, would have been the story.

But, again, for good reason, Tannehill simply got lost in the shuffle.

So now, on the eve of their second duel in as many years, Ryan Tannehill and Andrew Luck remain separated in status.  Luck reigns superior, while Tannehill sits at a distant second.

But a Miami Dolphins win tomorrow changes that in an instant.

The stage is set.

The spotlight is Tannehill's for the taking.