But the excuses aren't important, or relevant for the 2013 season. What's relevant is what the Dolphins' second-year starter is doing to improve his 76.1 passer rating, which had him ranked the 27th best passer in 2012, and how he'll produce a winning record as Miami's starting quarterback.
PLENTY of improvement is needed considering Tannehill was the WORST third down passer in the NFL last season.
On football's MOST CRITICAL DOWN Tannehill completed 85-of-144 (59%) of his passes for 946 yards, throwing three touchdowns and seven interceptions.
The Dolphins converted 37.7 percent of the team's third downs last season, which ranked Miami 16th in the NFL.
Tannehill had a 65.3 passer rating on third down, and pedestrian quarterbacks like Blaine Gabbert, Brandon Weeden and even Mark Sanchez were better than him.
Article 2:
But justifying mediocrity isn't relevant to this season. What is relevant is what the Dolphins' second-year starter is doing to improve his 76.1 passer rating, which had him ranked the 27th best passer in '12, and what he's doing to remove the shame of being the NFL's worst quarterback on third down last season.
Not one of the worst. We're talking the worst — courtesy of his 65.3 passer rating on that critical down.