The Case for Ryan Tannehill

 

By: CZZI

 

Normally I do not get much into the draft since it is a “crapshoot”, however, today I felt it necessary to address this issue for one prospect, Ryan Tannehill.  I will present the best case I can as to why I believe the Dolphins will trade up for him.  If you disagree than by all means please do.  First some background on T-Hill:

 

 

Age: 23

Hometown: Big Springs,Texas, the town of the Big Sky, Big Heart, Big Spring,

Population 25,233

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 222 lbs

College: Texas A & M

Father was a Coach

Statistics:

 

CAREER STATS (http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/232059/ryan-tannehill)
SEASON	CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	YPA	LNG	TD	INT	SACK	RAT
2011	327	531	3744	61.6	7.05	79	29	15	9	133.2
2010	152	234	1638	65.0	7.00	64	13	6	12	137.0
2009	4	8	60	50.0	7.50	28	0	0	2	113.0
2008	1	1	8	100.0	8.00	8	0	0	1	167.2

Last game/season statistics:

MEINEKE CAR CARE BOWL OF TEXAS

Won 33 -22 over Northwestern

	CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	YPA	LNG	TD	INT	SACK	RAT
This Game	27	40	329	67.5	8.23	38	1	1	1	139.8
Season	327	531	3744	61.6	7.05	79	29	15	9	133.2
December	27	40	329	67.5	8.23	38	1	1	1	139.8

Season Record: 7 – 6

 

Now statistics are statistics in that it is a matter of your conference and the quality of the team and the teams you played.  So with that in mind let’s see what we have here.

 

The Dolphins are in need of a quarterback that has the potential to take the team to the next level and is capable of being a team leader.  Leadership is not learned, it is in you or it is not in you.  To quote a great coach, “Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile”. Vince Lombardi.

 

Now how do we know if T-Hill is a good leader?  Well we cannot decipher that since we are not privy to his inner workings.  However, there are some clues, firstly, pro scouts, talking heads, many professional writers have stated that he has a strong work ethic, poise, maturity and not afraid to take on any task.  Second, he started as a wide receiver and during his time at that position attended every QB meeting. Third he has the ability to adapt and is bright, smart and articulate.

 

From the IMG Performance Institute:  T-Hill has worked closely with former Heisman Trophy winner Coach Chris Weinke, improving his quarterback skill set and has worked on his speed and agility with Coach Loren Seagrave the Director of Speed and Movement at IMG Academies.  Coach Seagrave had this to say of T-Hill, “Ryan is a great guy, really a quiet leader, he has so much confidence and I got a chance to watch the walk through.  Some of the guys he was familiar with and some he wasn’t, watching him interact keeping those guys positive and keeping the momentum moving forward was impressive.  His leadership ability in addition to him being very gifted physically makes him a great NFL prospect”.  Fourth, the current Offensive Coordinator was his previous Head Coach.  Familiarity is important, Mike Sherman is a good coordinator and I would think he would not have kept him as a starter if he did not have these attributes or the ability in the future to develop them.

 

The IMG Performance Institute trains athletes in improving their running efficiency and is widely known in the sporting world for performance enhancement.  They are not some talking head, stat reader; they know performance and potential physical abilities.  So he has very positive leadership traits and physical, athletic ability.

 

Next up, is he capable of being an NFL starter?  That question has been answered since he has moved up the charts and has the physical abilities.  But, what about his skill sets.  Let’s take a look at that.

 

Once again from IMG:  Coach Seagrave is very impressed with Tannehill’s work ethic and perseverance.  Tannehill on his pro day showed he was able to pivot, roll out and throw on the run very accurately.  Tannehill surprised many with his 40 yard dash time coming in the 4.5’s, silencing any doubts about his foot not being healed.  Seagrave has been working with Tannehill over the past two months reprogramming his nervous system in reference to his running technique. (http://blog.imgacademies.com/2012/03/30/loren-seagrave-talks-ryan-tannehill/).

 

Scouts were so impressed with T-Hills time they did not request to see a second attempt on the 40 yard dash.  So you say this is just one coach at some performance place.  Well, the man is the expert in his field.  It verifies the premise of leadership, performance, skill set and work ethic, all of the attributes of a good player.  So does he have what it takes to be the Dolphins next QB?

 

Let’s hear from some experts.  On the Mike and Mike radio show Ron Jaworski stated that the Dolphins need a QB and T-Hill would fill the bill.  He has a big arm, pocket presence and is mobile.  His touch passes are good and needs some work as well as his reading of the secondary, however, all of these can be overcome with coaching.  Listen to Jaws here: http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=7809224

 

Todd McShay, NFL draft expert agrees and states that T-Hill will be a good QB with time.  You can listen to the interview here: http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=7805037

 

Some GM’s as stated by McShay said he would be a good choice, sort of like Aaron Rodgers, that you are going to have him learn the system and he should not start right out of the box.  By the end of the season he would then be able to step in and take over.

 

I think that the coaching staff that is now in place is able to develop him into the starting QB, with patience and working on his skill sets.  Philbin worked with Rodgers and we know what happened inGreen Bay. T-Hill has the size, mobility, mind, leadership, arm strength and lastly the work ethic to make it happen.

 

The only question, are the Dolphins gutsy enough to pull the trigger on a prospect that has some unknowns?  My opinion is they will because of the Sherman connection, Phibins’ working knowledge of developing a raw talent (Rodgers) and the need for a gifted athlete that loves competition and has the desire to succeed.

 

Finally, they traded Marshall,why, maybe they did not want a veteran who is unsuitable for a young QB to succeed (we know Marshall for his erratic behavior/comments), for two, third round draft picks, why would they desire those third picks?  Bargain chips to get T-Hill?

 

Post Script: If they get T-Hill, he will have a good chance to start since I believe he has knowledge of the Playbook, due to his association with Sherman.

 

Here are some videos for your perusal: