...look for this team to go down the tubes, I'm afraid.
This team is teetering on remaining in playoff contention versus going south for the rest of the year. At this point it needs the confidence boost that comes from knowing its quarterback is good enough to carry it to victory. Ryan Tannehill has not yet established himself as that kind of quarterback. He has played very well at times, and much better than a typical rookie at times, but at no point has he put this team on his back and won a game for it.
Now, of course Ryan Tannehill is a just a rookie, and not much should be expected from him at this point in his career. But in terms of the way this team is functioning right now, a serious shot in the arm is needed, and with the way the roster is composed in terms the players who are really in position to make that kind of a difference, no one stands to provide enough of that shot in the arm other than Ryan Tannehill. It can't possibly sufficiently come from anyone else.
This is when Ryan Tannehill needs to step up and lead his team to victory and send the clear message that this team is still in the hunt, and it has a quarterback who can win games for it. That's the kind of emotional boost this team needs heading into the final third of the season, if it's truly going to make a playoff push. It needs a new level of confidence in its ability to win, which in my opinion can come only from Ryan Tannehill, if it's going to turn this season around and still be in contention come playoff time.
I'm afraid if Ryan Tannehill comes out against Buffalo and heaven forbid plays like he did against Tennessee, or even if he plays in a way typical of a rookie QB and the team loses the game, thus indicating that Ryan Tannehill cannot win a game himself when his team needs him to, it'll be the beginning of the end for this team this year.
At that point the team will have played nearly two-thirds of an NFL season with a 4-6 record, with no indication it has a starting quarterback who's capable of carrying it and making it rebound during the remaining six games.
That'll be too demoralizing a prospect to overcome in my opinion. At that point the season will devolve completely into being a "developmental year" or a "rebuilding year" with a rookie QB, and I suspect the players, just like the rest of us, will resign themselves to that idea, while on some level all but relinquishing any hope for the playoffs.
It's on Tannehill now. He has to play in a way that gives this season the hope it can be something better.
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seabass0795 and RGF like this.
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Could get pretty dicey throwing the ball if windy. Might be more about Spiller/Bush (:shifty:). Their heart and maturity are being called into question. blah, blah, turnovers, blah, blah, execution. They better win or they're done...
That said, I hope it snows... -
what better than to do it on national t.v. against a division rival. Plus I think i'm gonna pull a risky move for fantasy and start Hartline so RT better ball.
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Guest
As opposed to? -
While I do agree to some extent, shou, I think SOMEBODY needs to step up.
It's expected for a team to 'babysit' a starting rookie QB. Tannehill has enough on his plate to digest. But the guys who have been in the league for a while and understand the idiosyncrasies of the NFL (Bush, Dansby, even someone like Soliai) have to step it up on prime time. The question is, will they?
With regard to Tannehill, I still think he might need to minimize his mistakes and try to not carry this team by himself. I think it is obvious he cannot at this point. He needs to do his job and get the ball into the hands of Miami's playmakers. And when I say playmakers, I talking about "situational" playmakers. Bess can make a 7 yards into 15. Daniel Thomas has a knack for making firsts on screens and extending drives. Making good throws to Hartline outside. Bush is truly Miami's only 'playmaker' who has that ability to take it home on any given play.
The problem (aside from some O-line issues) is really gameplanning, in all three aspects of the game. Maybe Miami has been outplayed the last couple of games, but let's not get it twisted, Miami beat some solid teams, and on the road. After going up in the first half of the Indy game, it seemed the players thought that Indy would lie down. THAT play by Indy shows the character of that team. Andrew Luck carried that team. I am just not sure that Tannehill is there yet (or for that matter, will ever get there). -
I think that babysitting period is over. I don't think the team has the ability to win consistently while taking that perspective. Its margin of error is too small under those conditions. Tannehill has to step up now if this team is going to win.
I don't think it's so obvious. I think if he adds the element of his legs to his game and starts extending plays and running for first downs on third and long when he can, he'll start making the kinds of plays he's physically capable of that can spur a team and give it a boost. He needs to open up his game at this point.
Those other players you mentioned need to come to play, too, but none of them have the ability to give this team the shot in the arm it needs right now IMO, partly because they don't play influential enough positions (as opposed to quarterback), and partly because they're just not talented enough. -
You certainly make a good point, but do you think he is ready? I am not sure that he is.
I will elaborate a little more later, but have to figure out how I am going to get my 5 year old daughter to understand that daddy has some fashion sense when it comes to picking out her clothes for school! :lol:shouright likes this. -
The way this team has been playing lately its ultra important for them to have a great game against the Bills or the season is down the tubes.Other then them beating up on the Jets ( who doesnt ?) they were outplayed by the Rams offensively, they were smacked around defensively by the Colts and embarrased by the Titans. Whatever possitives that were accumulated thus far can turn into huge negatives in a hurry and whatever respect this team was gathering earlier in the season could be all but forgotten, if it hasnt already.
At 5-5 the season is on the fence and salvageable, at 4-6 the season,playoff wise, is a bust. Then its back to the drawing board and drowning in mediocrity yet again.
Also,I agree with Shou. Tannehill has to show us he`s capable of being a true leader right now, rookie or not. -
I have no idea. He may not be ready. But for the team to remain viable, he has to step up right now IMO.
It may be the case that the team, by virtue of what Tannehill can and can't do right now, is capable of nothing more than a developmental year or a rebuilding year. This game, and more specifically Tannehill's performance in this game, will determine that IMO. This is the turning point. -
Even if they beat Buffalo, this team isn't going to the playoffs. They will be fortunate to finish at .500 the way things are going. I just hope Ireland doesn't frack up in the offseason----or is fired before it and his replacement doesn't frack up. We have significant holes to fill and we need some competence doing it.
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I disagree. I think if Tannehill wins this game for the team, it'll get a serious shot in the arm and get right back on track with the three-game win streak it was on two games ago. Serious hope -- and more importantly, confidence -- will be infused into the team IMO.
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Personally, the playoffs are a nice thought, but I don't think this team is going to make it this year. Too many tough opponents left with Seattle, San Francisco, and New England twice. I think teams have caught up to what Miami's doing on defense and have exploited the past two weeks. I don't think this offense has enough firepower to get over the hump, especially with the running game pretty much on it's deathbed the past month or so.
If Miami makes it out of Buffalo with a win, which isn't all that unlikely, I think this mini-bye week before the Seattle game is critical to fixing a heck of a lot of things moving forward towards the home stretch. But is this team capable of going on the road to Denver or New England (presently the 3rd and 4th seeds in the playoffs) and coming out on top? I think if you're honest with yourself, "No" is the answer.
Same story, different characters for the 2012 Dolphins, just my opinion of course. But it's yet again too good to be considered bad, but bad enough to not be considered good. -
I think that's a good point, but keep in mind that this team tends to play well from the underdog role, and winning this game in Buffalo on Tannehill's back would help it regain the kind of spirit it played with in those situations in the games at Arizona, Cincinnati, and New York.
Imagine the team going into San Francisco, for example, as a heavy underdog, but with the belief it has a QB who can play very well in such a game. That's enough to inspire the kind of group effort needed to win those kinds of games IMO. -
I do think this game is very important for this season. It's a turning point game that could point us either up or down the rest of the way. I, however, think it's too early for this to be a turning point game for RT or a game that decides whether or not he's a franchise QB. Realistically, you make that call in year 3 assuming you're seeing progress. And by progress I don't mean a a curve that is always going up. I mean flashes and incremental improvement interrupted by some horrid showings. That's how QBs are developed. People get distracted by won/loss totals but Big Ben had several really bad games that first year that people shrugged off b/c the team won. You can see similar patterns in Brady and Manning's history. The same mistakes never seem as big if somebody else on the team steps up and gets you the win. Conversely, some of these young QBs put up great stats in garbage time. They make mistakes too, but all most fans see are the highlights so those mistakes are minimized as well. People seem to believe that QBs can come in an immediately be almost perfect. Pass friendly systems and rules have upped the stats young QBs can put up, but they still make the same mistakes and have to learn the same lessons.
MAFishFan likes this. -
I don't know if you were saying it was, but that wasn't my point at all here. The point was that Tannehill needs to show in this game he has the ability to win a game for the team for this team to have the kind of confidence it needs to make a playoff push during the rest of the season.
In other words, Tannehill's performance in this game will say almost nothing about Tannehill's individual ability to be a franchise QB long-term, and everything about the confidence and morale with which this team will approach the rest of the season.
He has to affect this team very positively from an emotional standpoint tomorrow night IMO, and he has to do that by playing very well and essentially winning the game. The team needs to come out of this game believing it has a QB who can win for it rather than one it needs to help develop, at least for the rest of this season to be a success.rafael likes this. -
I guess I could see that. I've never really bought in to the team taking on an underdog role and that inspiring an added level of confidence. Even it if did/does, I think that some of those teams, Seattle and San Francisco specifically, each have a defense capable of deflating that balloon of confidence with regard to Tannehill.
As you said though, and I agree, a win against Buffalo and this team has a pulse. I think a win against Seattle would be like a temporary shot of morphine, but I already have some not so pleasant visions of what that defense could potentially do to Tannehill and the offense. I'll say it again, if Miami wins against Buffalo, that mini-bye week is critical.shouright likes this. -
I wasn't sure what you were saying regarding RT (short-term vs. long-term). I do agree with the importance of his play in this game in regards to the short-term. We could have somebody else step up (say Bush returns to running like he did early in the year and/or the D starts hanging on to some of these potential TOs), but the easiest and most likely place to look for a turnaround is at the QB position.shouright likes this.
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Good Luck with THAT!!!! And just wait until she's 13!!!!!
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I'm not sure I necessarily agree. Obviously losing isn't good, but I'm not sure I'd take much from it beyond the one data point. I think Ryan Tannehill can be expected to have a rating in the high 80s/ low 90s for the most part, but I'm not sure I can see him making a big jump this season.
I think at this point in the season we know exactly what to expect from this team. They're an average team, that will live and die by the turnover. Really the only question is how much luck plays into things, which essentially will determine if this is a 7 win team or a 9 win team. -
I dont think Ryan Tanehill has it in him to put a team on shoulders and win a game himself.
At least not at this point. -
IMO, this thread proves that every game in September and October and for over 2/3rd of the teams in November is important and meaningful.
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Larryfinfan 17-0...Priceless Club Member
I think a lot of pressure has been put on Tanny that shouldn't be. While he was a high pick and all that, the consensus at the time was that he needed some time to grow into the NFL QB position. His lack of experience at that position is showing... It's no real shock that he's struggling, especially coming off his arguably worst outing. I don't think that how this season goes has anything to do with his ability to develop down the road. I know this is a 'win now' league, but some things DO take time. Developing this kid is one of them. If that means we don't have a great season this year, that's fine so long as he continues to improve and learn the nuances of the pro game...
MAFishFan likes this. -
I think Tannehill will rebound nicely, but I also think our running game is due for a breakout. I know Reggie is extra motivated to make amends and prove his worth. Same with the offensive line.
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One thing this team doesn't need are fans who are going to put the whole season on the back of a developing rookie QB.
Especially with a Head Coach who is willing to give the team's best offensive weapon the hook on a moments notice.
Without the help of the supporting cast it is just way too much pressure.
Have some god damn patience people.MAFishFan likes this. -
I don't think Tannehill needs to put the team on his sholders to right the ship. I think that's what got him in trouble in the second half last week. Tannehill's so far this season has exceeded expectations and if he returns to form prior to the Titans game and other players (Long, Bush, Smith etc..) step up and start playing up to their expectations than even short term I think the team will be ok.
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Tanny is definitely our future QB. That's why I always believed Tanny should have sat this year and let Moore be the starter. Now that we are in playoff contention, there is more reason Moore should be our starter . No one seems to think that starting a QB prematurely as a starter, can also damage their future. Like, Mark Sanchez as an example...! But I am sure someone is going to rag on my post again, and just call me a Moore lover...
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I think we know that, but I'm not sure the players are yet ready to resign themselves to that. However, if they lose this game, and it has anything at all to do with Ryan Tannehill's not being able to carry it, I think at that point the players will likely surrender any belief they have in their ability to make the playoffs, they'll become demoralized, and this will quickly, "officially" devolve into a "developmental" or "rebuilding" year, even in the minds of the players.
When you need a win to keep your season on track and your QB can't get it for you, and it reflects the fact that he doesn't yet have the ability to do that in general, and you're 4-6, it's going to be a little tough to maintain any morale. QBs are too integral to winning in this league, and the players know that. -
That's definitely the closest he's come. The team will need another game like that from him tomorrow night IMO.
He needs to realize the situation his team is in and come out firing. If he can't get it done, I'll chalk it up to his being a rookie and not hold it against him, but like I said, I don't think that's going to do anything for the team. The team will go down the tubes either way IMO. -
dolfan22 Season Ticket Holder Club Member
Yet we lost the AZ game. So at least partial blame/responsibility would have to fall on some veteran players, no?
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It is obvious that Brian Hartline was the problem because he got 245 yards that game.
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What constitutes a rookie QB actually winning a game himself ? Can any Qb do that ? We even lost the game Tannehill played best in.
We need our strengths to be just that. The reasons we won 3 in a row. The Rookie will get better but we cant expect him to be the reason we win, just yet.
As for the season going down the tubes if we lose...... last weeks game really did happen..... Sure we're still mathmatically alive but lets not put it all on the rookie being the difference between playoffs and tanking. -
Hey it's not something I wanna do, but I'm afraid this team's overall level of talent dictates it as such. The players need a perceived boost of ability coming from somewhere, and IMO there's nowhere that can come from other than a jump in development of the QB.
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I tend to agree that they should stop babysitting Tannehill. I understand the need to physically protect him. Certainly the performance of the line warrants some fear for Tannehill's safety. But if we are serious about the playoffs (which we should be), they need to put more on Tannehill. He's the best chance we have to win.
shouright likes this. -
Tannehill calls most of his own plays and runs no huddle more than any other rookie quarterback. They are not babying him.
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