Big learning from the Tannehill era is that we need to ascertain much quicker if our QB really does have the ability to progress to become a franchise caliber QB or not. While Ryan showed some flashes of talent, too many of us lived in the hope that he could make it to a higher level than accept the reality that his lack of pocket presence and his slowness in reading Defenses were major liabilities. He was also too thin.
Drafting QBs is hit or miss and even when you get a really good one, there is always the risk of major injury. Top coaches and GMs like Belichick would not have doubled down again and again and again (like Philbin/Ireland and Gase/Tannenbaum) effectively did with Tannehill. OK - Ryan had bad luck with the ACL injury, but we shouldn't have had all our eggs in just one basket. Let's not forget that in the same Draft, Mike Shanahan of the Washington Redskins drafted Kirk Cousins in the 3rd round as insurance if RG3 turned out to be a bust.
Tannehill flashed potential upside in some games but we needed to be investing in other options along the way rather than being forced to drag Jay Cutler out of retirement for $10M in an unexpected emergency.
Philbin, Sherman, Ireland, Lazor, Gase and Tannenbaum all effectively ended up getting the bullet because Tannehill was just an OK QB (with some major deficiencies).
