Look, I'm just as happy that we escaped with a victory yesterday as the next guy, but if you watched yesterday's game and didn't see the same mediocrity that's doomed this team for more than four decades, I don't know what to tell you. And while he was admittedly neutralized in the first half due to the defense's inability to get off the field, the quarterback sets the tone, and yesterday the tone Ryan Tannehill set said that these are still the same old Dolphins.
Would I have been impressed with yesterday's win in 2012 or 2013? Of course, RT was still finding his legs and scrapping and clawing to ugly victories -- regardless of the quality of the opponent -- is sort of an endearing trait in young quarterback. But Ryan is long past the "aw cute, he's out there trying" phase of his career. He needs to be a guy that scares defenses. Tyrod Taylor had about 10 minutes of career experience before connecting with Percy Harvin for a beautiful touchdown. I don't think I've ever seen Ryan make that throw.
The bottom line is this: If you are paid like a franchise quarterback, you have to act like a franchise quarterback.
Ryan Tannehill did not show that he has taken that next step, at least yet. Could it have been a bad game in a tough road environment? Of course? Do I think the Dolphins are doomed because they didn't play well yesterday? Not at all. I still think they will start the season AT LEAST 4-2. But, unless this team puts on their big boy pants and plays like a team that can and should go to the playoffs, we'll be sitting here after another 8-8 campaign asking how we fix things in 2016.
Would I have been impressed with yesterday's win in 2012 or 2013? Of course, RT was still finding his legs and scrapping and clawing to ugly victories -- regardless of the quality of the opponent -- is sort of an endearing trait in young quarterback. But Ryan is long past the "aw cute, he's out there trying" phase of his career. He needs to be a guy that scares defenses. Tyrod Taylor had about 10 minutes of career experience before connecting with Percy Harvin for a beautiful touchdown. I don't think I've ever seen Ryan make that throw.
The bottom line is this: If you are paid like a franchise quarterback, you have to act like a franchise quarterback.
Ryan Tannehill did not show that he has taken that next step, at least yet. Could it have been a bad game in a tough road environment? Of course? Do I think the Dolphins are doomed because they didn't play well yesterday? Not at all. I still think they will start the season AT LEAST 4-2. But, unless this team puts on their big boy pants and plays like a team that can and should go to the playoffs, we'll be sitting here after another 8-8 campaign asking how we fix things in 2016.
