It's the first time since high school that Tannehill has run an offense designed by someone other than Mike Sherman. Sherman was the Dolphins' offensive coordinator in Tannehill's first two NFL seasons, and was the head coach at Texas A&M when Tannehill played there.
Lazor's offense spreads the field and moves players around a lot.
"I'm still learning," Tannehill said. "There's a lot to do and learn, getting everything down to where it's second nature, and not having to think about anything and just playing. But every day I feel more and more comfortable."
The Dolphins and Tannehill anticipate he'll make significant progress as a third-year quarterback. He has thrown 36 touchdown passes but also 30 interceptions, with the Dolphins falling short of the playoffs both years.
"This is a big year for myself and for our team," Tannehill said. "Last year we underperformed."
With higher expectations, Tannehill has become more demanding, as Ford discovered when the quarterback began screaming at him in front of the entire squad and TV cameras.
"He's the leader of the team, so of course I respect anything he says," Ford said. "That's my first time getting chewed out but, hey, I'm a rookie, so I expected it. I just didn't know when it was going to happen."
A first-round draft pick in 2012, Tannehill started every game in his first two NFL seasons. He doesn't turn 26 until next month, but only 16 players have been on Dolphins' roster longer.
So it's time for him to assume more of a leadership role, he said.
"Now I'm more apt to step up and say something and make a statement," he said. "That's part of playing the quarterback position. Now I feel more comfortable. I have the respect of my teammates and I can do that."
