Ryan Tannehill and Russell Wilson both have 1.75 NFL seasons under their belts and enough time has passed where we can fairly begin to judge them based on their play in the league. Both were available when the Dolphins drafted Tannehill two seasons ago. What do you think Dolphin's fans? Did Jeff Ireland draft the right quarterback?
Tannehill versus Wilson: Did we draft the right quarterback?
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Phinatic8u
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Wilson came into the league a lot more polished and more experienced at the QB position. So this discussion will always be slanted in Wilson's favor, after 1.75 NFL seasons under their belts.
I think that is a fair observation. How long do you think we should have to wait to make the comparison?
Phinatic8u
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We shouldn't be comparing anything.
Wilson plays in a offense that plays to his strengths, he's not asked to do much but hit wide open guys after a PA fake.
how long do you think we should wait before we compare john Elway to dan marino? it's apples and oranges.
Why shouldn't we be comparing anything? Isn't that how you judge a team's general manager and scouting department, By looking at the players that they chose, the players they didn't choose and how those players actually worked out? Russell Wilson will most likely be playing in the NFC championship game and possibly in the Super Bowl. Dolphin fans will be ecstatic if Ryan Tannehill gets us to a wild card game. Why isn't it fair at some point to make that comparison?
Phinatic8u
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Because we run different offensive systems. The idea that QBs are simply interchangeable with each other is wrong. This a football TEAM. Players and coaching staffs have to be in alignment to have success.
I don't think it is apples versus oranges. Imagine it is 2020 and the Dolphins are going to draft a quarterback in the first round. Which would you prefer? The quarterback who you are told will be less technically proficient but will lead the Dolphins to two Super Bowl championships, or the quarterback who will be the most talented quarterback of all time, but because of the inferiority of the teams around him will never win a Super Bowl?
I think most Dolphin fans would choose the two Super Bowls, but that's just my preferences regarding the team.
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So, if I were to summarize what I have heard so far:
a. It is too early to make the comparison.
b. If is not a fair comparison because Wilson plays on a much better team.
c. Wilson plays in a system that better suits his strengths than the system in which Tannehill is playing.
d. Quarterbacks can never be fairly compared.
I was hoping that we could have an intelligent discussion of both quarterback's strengths and weaknesses and why Tannehill might fit the Dolphins better than Wilson would have. A side discussion on why Bill Parcell's rules for picking quarterbacks holds no water would also be welcome. Does anybody want to have those discussions?
a. It is too early to make the comparison.
b. If is not a fair comparison because Wilson plays on a much better team.
c. Wilson plays in a system that better suits his strengths than the system in which Tannehill is playing.
d. Quarterbacks can never be fairly compared.
I was hoping that we could have an intelligent discussion of both quarterback's strengths and weaknesses and why Tannehill might fit the Dolphins better than Wilson would have. A side discussion on why Bill Parcell's rules for picking quarterbacks holds no water would also be welcome. Does anybody want to have those discussions?
Wilson is asked to carry his offense less than any quarterback in the league, as the Seahawks run the ball a greater percentage of the time (roughly 53%) than any other team.
However, Wilson attempts the fifth-most passes in the league of at least 20 yards in the air, and he completes the greatest percentage of passes in the league (a whopping 60%) of that kind.
Tannehill, by contrast, is asked to pass the ball on a greater percentage of his team's offensive plays, but his downfield throws are less frequent (10% to Wilson's 14.8%), and he completes only 35.6% of them.
Seattle's line surrenders the second-greatest percentage of pressured dropbacks in the league (45.2%), to the Dolphins' 32.9%, which ranks 23rd in the league. Moreover, Tannehill is sacked on a league-leading 26.9% of his pressured dropbacks, whereas Wilson is 17th in the league in that regard, at 17.6%. The Dolphins' line is ranked 17th in the league in pass blocking efficiency by PFF, whereas Seattle's line is ranked 20th.
When you consider within the above context the quarterback related variables that are most strongly correlated with winning -- QB rating, YPA, net YPA, and adjusted net YPA -- and consider that Wilson is head and shoulders above Tannehill with regard to them, I think it's fairly easy to conclude that Wilson is playing the quarterback position in its entirety far better than Tannehill right now.
---------- Post added at 02:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:36 PM ----------
However, Wilson attempts the fifth-most passes in the league of at least 20 yards in the air, and he completes the greatest percentage of passes in the league (a whopping 60%) of that kind.
Tannehill, by contrast, is asked to pass the ball on a greater percentage of his team's offensive plays, but his downfield throws are less frequent (10% to Wilson's 14.8%), and he completes only 35.6% of them.
Seattle's line surrenders the second-greatest percentage of pressured dropbacks in the league (45.2%), to the Dolphins' 32.9%, which ranks 23rd in the league. Moreover, Tannehill is sacked on a league-leading 26.9% of his pressured dropbacks, whereas Wilson is 17th in the league in that regard, at 17.6%. The Dolphins' line is ranked 17th in the league in pass blocking efficiency by PFF, whereas Seattle's line is ranked 20th.
When you consider within the above context the quarterback related variables that are most strongly correlated with winning -- QB rating, YPA, net YPA, and adjusted net YPA -- and consider that Wilson is head and shoulders above Tannehill with regard to them, I think it's fairly easy to conclude that Wilson is playing the quarterback position in its entirety far better than Tannehill right now.
---------- Post added at 02:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:36 PM ----------
No, we just want to attack you, which is a surefire sign you've touched a nerve nobody wants you to.
Russell Wilson has a very talented Offense around him, with a great defense, and has looked good when everything is clicking, but when things fall apart, he is not as effective (Still a good QB, but nowhere as good).
Tannehill has had to deal with no true alpha type talent at receiver (2012), no real running game (2013), O-line being mediocre (2012) or horrible (2013), a new 1st time HC (2012), having very limited experience at the most important position the NFL.
Can Tannehill be better then Wilson? Sure. Will he be better then Wilson? Nobody knows for sure, but Wilson's success depends a lot on him being able to take off with the ball or move around, and on having a consistent running game......Tannehill has been able to win games without rushing for even 1 yard, or having any type of real running game to speak of, so as long as Tannehill continue to grow, and the talent around him continues to get better, he will be a very good QB.