I agree that they were more worried about training and finding out about Tannehill rather than maximizing our win potential, thats not to say they were sacrificing wins necessarily but I think they were willing to accept much more short term variance with maybe a slightly less average win total with the goal of bettering Tannehill and our chances at winning a championship in the future.
What I'm trying to say probably isn't very clear but as an example if Tannehill really was hurt week 17 Matt Moore might have given us a better chance to win that game, say Moore wins 50% of the time and an injured Tannehill wins 45% of the time, it might be wise to sacrifice the 5% for several reasons:
- learning experience for Tannehill and a chance to be the hero
- avoid any kind of QB controversy
- If Tannehill wins the game the momentum could carry us further into the playoffs
- experience a playoff type game
So we sacrifice a 5% chance to win now but its more like an investment that will hopefully pay off in the future.
And fill your boots on QB stats:
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/06/03/qbs-in-focus/
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/06/02/qbs-in-focus-by-down-and-distance/
I don't know how hurt he was, but if you're cleared, you play. If not that would scream controversy because it would mean that he was really only slightly ahead of Moore in the coach's eyes. I think it's smart to play him for the other reasons you stated too...experience, chance to be a hero (and also help win over your team), etc.
Thanks for the links, but I actually just came back from PFF and found what I was wondering about. It kind of shows he has a ways to go in that department. To me, stats can lie, but 3rd and 4th down conversions are fairly important I think. A manager type QB can have a decent completion percentage and yardage, etc., but the franchise types, the type I think everyone wants him to become, are the ones who get it done when the defense knows it's a passing situation. It's great to complete a pass for your percentage and a few more yards, but completing a 7 yard pass on 3rd and 9 is pretty pointless. Unfortunately I didn't find 3rd and long which is what I am really curious about, but I have a feeling about it anyway.
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/01/15/third-down-conversions-quarterbacks/
Unfortunately, at this time, Tannehill is near the bottom (and look who is last, the guy I used to defend fiercely
