Tannehill sharpens his game in offseason
DAVIE — While Cleveland wide receiver Jarvis Landry was using the offseason to sharpen his tongue, Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill was using the offseason to sharpen his game. It was against this backdrop Thursday, the last day of offseason workouts, during which Tannehill connected with DeVante Parker for a beautifully-executed 60-yard touchdown pass.
It’s been that type of offseason for Tannehill, who is recovering from a left knee injury that caused him to miss the entire 2017 season.
“That’s the QB,” left tackle Laremy Tunsil said. “I love having him back. He came off an ACL injury and we missed his leadership last year. Having him back is big for the offense.”
Anecdotal evidence from offseason workouts says Tannehill appears poised to return to his 2016 level, which included a career-best 93.5 passer rating.
“I think when he got hurt a couple of years ago, he was playing the best football that he’s ever played,” wide receiver Kenny Stills said.
The bigger question is whether Tannehill can surpass that 2016 level, which also, it must be noted, included a so-so 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
After all, organized team activities and minicamp are no-pads, no-contact workouts, which makes it much easier for a quarterback to stay in the pocket and deliver accurate passes. There’s no threat of being hit.
But for now the Dolphins are taking things one step at a time, and that means focusing on Tannehill’s performance in offseason workouts. Reviews have trended positively. During the four-day OTA that concluded Thursday, the final one before the team reconvenes for training camp in late July, Tannehill even used his legs to scurry upfield on a run-pass option.
That play and others seem to indicate Tannehill’s left knee, which gave way last August early in training camp, is solid.
“We have the GPS monitors that we wear every day at practice, so we can go back and compare speeds, agility, quickness and movements,” said Tannehill, who didn’t wear a knee brace during offseason workouts.
“That’s something we can take a look at. But I feel good. I feel like I’m moving well. I’m able to escape. I’m able to get up-field when the window is there. It’s still going to be a weapon for me. I think when the defense presents an open spot then we can make them pay by getting through with my legs.”
Tannehill has also been sharp mentally. He spent all of last season observing and now feels he knows the system even better.
Tannehill spent part of the offseason trying to strike a balance between scolding and uplifting his teammates.
“I think I try to be patient,” he said with a smile. “Sometimes I might be a little short-tempered on expecting guys to do what they’re supposed to do. I hold guys accountable and I think that’s the way we’re going to win here is by everyone being accountable, myself included.
“If a guy makes a mistake once then you might let it go. If he makes it again, that’s when I have a problem because we’ve already made that mistake and it should be corrected.”
Coaches and teammates say they’ve been impressed with what they saw during OTAs and minicamp workouts, especially considering he’s throwing to new receivers such as Danny Amendola, who was in New England last season, and Albert Wilson, who was in Kansas City.
“It doesn’t seem like he’s really changed much as far as worrying about bodies around him,” Gase said. “He’s out there playing. He’s throwing the ball well.”
And for the guys here in 2016, Tannehill’s presence seems to have a calming effect on the offense.