I've backed, supported, and even praised Ryan Tannehill in his first three seasons under center for the Miami Dolphins. It's no secret that I'm pro-Tannehill, and if it still somehow is then you've been living under a rock for the past three years.
So when I begin to have concerns, there's a problem.
Q: Will Ryan Tannehill start on Sunday?
A: We'll decide our game plan before we leave to play Oakland.
Yeah, there's a problem.
Joe Philbin's words, or lack thereof, spoke volumes earlier today, as he was noncommittal several times when asked about the status of Ryan Tannehill for Sunday's game.
Multiple times, in multiple different ways, was he asked about Tannehill starting on Sunday.
Multiple times, in multiple different ways, did he deflect the question.
Folks, for the first time in a while, we have a QB controversy in South Florida.
Tannehill has struggled so far this season in a way I haven't seen him in quite some time. To me, he's regressed... big time.
The pocket presence has regressed. The accuracy, while never great, has regressed. The decision making has regressed. Don't just take my word for it, look at his numbers. He's on track for career lows in nearly every statistical category.
But let's be clear here, it's not all on him. Not by a long shot.
Receivers are dropping balls at a historical pace. In fact, they lead the league in drops through the first three weeks.
The protection, so good in the first week, has gotten progressively worse over the past two games.
And then you have the play calling. This, to me, is the biggest issue in Miami right now.
If Ryan Tannehill's on the hot seat, you better believe Bill Lazor is right there with him, because he's made some beyond questionable calls.
Down by six, 12 minutes to go, ball in KC territory, second down and one. Lamar Miller is in the midst of a career game, and is seemingly unstoppable on every carry.
Pass. Incomplete.
Pass. Incomplete.
Punt.
Game.
I just don't understand. On a day when all the fingers are pointing at Ryan Tannehill, how are they not pointed at Lazor as well?
It's not just the decisions, either. It's the plays themselves.
I've said it time after time time after time after time again... Ryan Tannehill is NOT A POCKET PASSER. He's arguably one of your most athletic players on offense. So why do Joe Philbin and Bill Lazor insist on making him a pocket passer? Why are there not more read options being called? Where are the roll outs?
Why does Tannehill sit in the collapsing pocket and take a sack or throw an incompletion when he has all the tools in the world to run the football?
Yes, some of it is on Tannehill. But if you don't think some of it is a product of poor coaching then you're delusional.
Ryan Tannehill has played poorly so far in this young season. He'll tell you that himself.
But if a player is going to suck, for lack of a better term, then shouldn't you allow him to suck on his own terms?
Joe Philbin and Bill Lazor need to open up the playbook, give Tannehill the freedom to run around, throw down field, and use his athletic ability next Sunday against Oakland. Let him play his style of football, and then, if he still sucks, make the change.
If you do it now, after the play calling and game plans you've thrown out there over the first three weeks, then it's not fair to the team, the fans, and, most importantly, to Tannehill.
But make no mistake about it, the seats are hot in South Florida. They're basically burning at this point. And when you have a desperate coach, fighting for a job, there really is no telling what he'll do.
So don't be surprised if Matt Moore gets the call in six days. Personally, I don't agree with it, but I won't be surprised by it.
When backs are against the wall, anything can happen.
And backs are so against the wall right now, it's one loss away from crashing down.
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