Rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill signed his contract with the Miami Dolphins over the weekend, allowing him to take part in training camp. We reported earlier in the year that Tannehill was having a tough time of things during Dolphins OTA's, but it appears he's turning the corner in training camp.
Ryan Tannehill Impressing At Dolphins Training Camp
In a story titled “Miami Dolphins July 30 practice notes: Ryan Tannehill continues to impress”, Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post notes that while Tannehill is facing second and third string teams, he looks good so far.
But it’s been hard not to notice how good Tannehill has looked throwing the football, showing good velocity, accuracy and anticipation. Coach Joe Philbin said Monday that Tannehill had 53 “competitive snaps” in Sunday’s practice, and completed over 40 of those throws. Monday’s practice wasn’t as smooth, especially early on, but Tannehill is showing well so far.
Reports aren't the only people shining praise on Tannehill's performances in camp thus far. In Brian Biggane's piece "Receivers praise Ryan Tannehill for velocity, accuracy of throws", he quotes praise from the Dolphins receivers Davone Bess and Legedu Naanee of Tannehill's accuracy and arm strength.
Quotes after the jump.
Asked about Tannehill’s arm strength, both Bess and Naanee spoke highly of what Bess called the “pop” and Naanee the “zip” on his throws. But both then went a step farther without much prodding.
“He’s really accurate as well,” Bess said. “He can throw to the back shoulder, the near number _ wherever he needs to put the ball, he’ll get it there. That’s one of his attributes.
“Especially if you’re running into a zone and (you’re) not supposed to be, he can slow you down by putting it on your other shoulder. Little stuff like that adds up.”
So while the reports earlier this summer suggested Tannehill isn’t in the running for the starting job, if he continues on the path he’s on right now, I’d expect him to break into the running. From my point of view, I’d probably throw him in at the deep end and start him early. There aren’t too many expectations of the Dolphins for this coming season. Many believe they will be a poor team again. So what is there to lose? Let him ride out the bumps he’ll take as a rookie and let him learn from them. There’s no better way to learn about football than by actually being out on the field playing it.
But that’s just my opinion, and I’m on record as being higher on Tannehill than most. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
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