DAVIE, Fla. — The statistics say Miami rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill is failing badly. Tannehill is the 30th-rated passer among the NFL’s 32 starting quarterbacks.
But Dolphins coach Joe Philbin chooses to trust the eye test more than those lying stats.
“We’re interested more in overall development,” Philbin said, "and is he's making progress in terms of becoming a consistent productive starter in the National Football League. I think we’re seeing signs that he’s doing that.”
Most who have seen Tannehill since his three-interception performance at Houston in the opener agree with Philbin. But the statistics can’t be ignored.
Tannehill has thrown two touchdowns and six interceptions, one of which the New York Jets returned for a touchdown in a 23-20 overtime loss two weeks ago. And he’s lost one fumble, which Arizona turned into a game-tying fourth-quarter touchdown in Sunday’s 24-21 overtime loss.
Of course, sometimes the stats hide reality. For example, Tannehill had two interceptions and that lost fumble against the Cardinals. You could argue none were his fault.
Brian Hartline, who had a career receiving day against Arizona with 253 yards, slipped on his route on Tannehill’s first interception. The second interception, which came in overtime, happened because Tannehill was hit as he threw, the result of his pass protection not properly picking up a blitz. As for that lost fumble, it was the same deal, the pass protectors didn’t properly pick up a fourth-quarter blitz.
Just like that, Tannehill is absolved of game-losing guilt.
“I thought he play well enough to win the game,” Philbin said. “I thought he threw the ball well.”
On the good side of the ledger Tannehill, the eighth pick in the draft out of Texas A&M, draws rave reviews from teammates who say his command of the offense and huddle presence are wise beyond his four games of NFL experience.
He seems to make good decisions, for the most part, and he doesn’t get overwhelmed by the situation. It’s too soon to call him unflappable, but he seems to keep his head.
“He’s not usually surprised by what he sees when he comes back to the sidelines,” Philbin said, continuing a theme from preseason. “He’s good that way.”
However, the stats keep telling an ugly story.
The Dolphins are 1-3 heading into this week’s game at Cincinnati (3-1) largely because their giveaway/takeaway number is minus-5, tied for 28th. Tannehill, when you look at the bottom line stats, is responsible for seven of Miami’s 10 turnovers.
Tannehill’s 66.4 passer rating is fourth among the five rookie starters (only Cleveland’s Brandon Weeden is worse at 60.4; 31st in the league) but relatively speaking he’s doing OK.
Washington’s Robert Griffin III is outclassing all the rookies. He’s fourth in the NFL (103.2). But Indianapolis’ Andrew Luck is 24th (75.4) and Seattle’s Russell Wilson is 26th (73.5). They’re not exactly success stories either through one-fourth of the season.
Tannehill’s ups and downs have probably been somewhat normal for a youngster. In the opener against Houston, he was just short of a disaster. He had four passes batted down at the line of scrimmage in the 30-10 loss, two of which led to interceptions.
He cleaned up his act the following week in a 35-13 victory over Oakland, going 18-for-30 with one touchdown, no interceptions and no batted down passes.
But accuracy problems dogged him against the Jets, just as they did in the opener. With running back Reggie Bush sidelined with a knee injury the Dolphins abandoned the running game in the fourth quarter and put things in Tannehill’s hands. He struggled to identify open receivers and deliver the ball crisply, and that was a big reason why Miami lost.
Still, if you aren’t a slave to the stats, such as Philbin, Tannehill has been solid. And more importantly, he shows loads of promise with his strong right arm, firm grasp of the offense and level-headed approach.
“The film is more important to watch than necessarily looking at the stat sheet,” Philbin said. “I think he’s making progress.”
