Tannehill remains as roster evolves
The Dolphins who have come and gone since QB’s rookie season
Since 2012, quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s first season with the Miami Dolphins, he’s been surrounded by a number of core starters on offense and defense.
But with the release of center Mike Pouncey last week, the only starters still on the team since Tannehill’s rookie year are defensive end Cameron Wake, safety Reshad Jones and long snapper John Denney.
Here’s a look at some notable regulars during the Tannehill era with the Dolphins who are still here, have departed, and how those groups have played during the last six years:
Receivers and tight ends
Still here: WR Kenny Stills, WR DeVante Parker, TE MarQueis Gray; Departed: WR Jarvis Landry, WR Mike Wallace, WR Brian Hartline, TE Charles Clay, TE Dion Sims, TE Jordan Cameron, WR Rishard Matthews; Free agent: TE Anthony Fasano
Comment: The holdover receivers — Stills and Parker — have skill, but Parker’s is unrealized. Both joined the Dolphins in 2015, and have almost two full seasons with Tannehill. They shouldn’t have a problem re-connecting during the offseason and training camp. It’s a solid base. Little-used receiver Jakeem Grant also returns. But Landry’s loss is potentially huge because Tannehill threw the majority of Landry’s 400 career receptions. On the other hand, you could argue Tannehill recovered relatively well from losses of Wallace, Clay and Hartline. Overall, this crew has failed to meet expectations as a game-changing
group.
Offensive line
Still here: T Ja’Wuan James, T Laremy Tunsil, G Ted Larsen, G-T Jesse Davis; Departed: C Mike Pouncey, T Branden Albert, G Richie Incognito, G John Jerry, G Daryn Colledge, G-T Dallas Thomas, T Jason Fox, G Billy Turner, T Jonathan Martin, T Tyson Clabo, G-C Jamil Douglas, G Jermon Bushrod; Free agent: G-C Anthony Steen
Comment: Pouncey’s loss is potentially a big one. James’ return is major in light of Pouncey being released. Miami sort of made up for losing Albert with Tunsil, and while the Incognito loss still stings, there’s no way he could have stayed after the bullying scandal. Tannehill, the NFL’s most-sacked quarterback from 2012-2015, saw a reduction in sacks in 2016, and the running game put up respectable numbers, both of which helped. Nonetheless, when he takes the field in training camp, Tannehill might be alongside new starters such as guards Josh Sitton and Ted Larsen and center Daniel Kilgore. Overall, this ever-changing group has ranged from bad to decent, never being considered good.
Running backs
Still here: Kenyan Drake; Departed: Lamar Miller, Jay Ajayi, Reggie Bush, Damien Williams
Comment: Miami has done very well with its draft-and-develop strategy here going from Bush to Miller, a draftee, to Ajayi, a draftee, to Drake, a draftee, with the last three all being midround picks. Yes, there was that brief appearance by Arian Foster, but for the most part this position has aided Tannehill. And it could do that again in 2018. Miami has produced two 1,000-yard rushers during the Tannehill years (Miller and Ajayi). Overall, this group has been productive, but not spectacular.
Quarterbacks
Still here: Tannehill, Brandon Doughty, David Fales; Free agent: Matt Moore
Comment: Tannehill, who has missed the last 19 regular-season games with a left knee injury, has been OK since 2012. Moore was the regular backup to Tannehill for his entire career, but he’s an unrestricted free agent and doesn’t seem likely to return. Doughty has been here the past two seasons and Fales, who has been here parts of the last two seasons, was just re-signed. In between there’s been Jay Cutler and T.J. Yates. Moore was a solid backup but his return is unlikely with Friday’s signing of Brock Osweiler. Overall, the backups (Moore) have been solid, and so has Tannehill.
Defensive line
Still here: DE Cameron Wake, DE Andre Branch, DT Jordan Phillips, DE Charles Harris, DE William Hayes, DT Davon Godchaux, DT Vincent Taylor; Departed: DT Ndamukong Suh, DE Olivier Vernon, DE Jared Odrick, DT Earl Mitchell, DT Paul Soliai, DT Randy Starks, DE Mario Williams
Comment: The defensive line losses have been big for a team that has struggled to stop the run and attack opposing quarterbacks in the last six years. Suh’s loss figures to be the biggest. Miami has managed to find a defensive lineman here or there, both via the draft and free agency, in recent years. But none aside from Suh has been Pro Bowl-caliber. We’ll see whether youngsters such as Godchaux and Taylor and new acquisitions such as defensive end Robert Quinn can help. Overall, this group has been inadequate, sending Wake and Suh to the Pro Bowl, but not doing much else.
Linebacker
Still here: Kiko Alonso, Mike Hull, Raekwon McMillan, Neville Hewitt; Departed: Lawrence Timmons, Karlos Dansby, Philip Wheeler, Dannell Ellerbe, Kevin Burnett, Jelani Jenkins, Kelvin Sheppard; Free agent: Koa Misi
Comment: Linebacker, quarterback, and tight ends are the only positions in which Miami hasn’t produced a Pro Bowl player in the last six years. The linebacker group has experienced lots of turnover and has struggled almost the entire time. Alonso has been solid, McMillan’s rookie season was spent sidelined with a knee injury, and Hull and Hewitt have only been occasional starters. Miami has lost a load of veteran talent here and hasn’t replaced it adequately during. Overall, these guys have failed to meet expectations as game-changers.
Defensive backs
Still here: S Reshad Jones, CB Bobby McCain, CB Xavien Howard, CB Walt Aikens, CB Tony Lippett, CB Cordrea Tankersley, S T.J. McDonald; Departed: CB Vontae Davis, CB Sean Smith, CB Brent Grimes, CB Byron Maxwell, CB Brice McCain, CB Nolan Carroll, S Chris Clemons, S Jimmy Wilson, S Louis Delmas, S Isa Abdul-Quddus, CB Jamar Taylor; Free agent: S Michael Thomas
Comment: This might turn into a draftand-develop success story (that’s the case with Jones) if players such as Howard, McCain, Lippett and Tankersley continue to improve. Miami has struggled here the past few years despite producing Pro Bowl players such as Jones and Grimes. Young draftees such as Taylor and fellow cornerback Will Davis didn’t pan out, and most others didn’t show much longevity. These guys have made plays at times, but overall this group has been largely inconsistent.
Special teams
Still here: LS John Denney, P Matt Darr, WR-PR Jakeem Grant, LB Mike Hull, S Walt Aikens, CB Bobby McCain, LB Neville Hewitt, DT Vincent Taylor; Departed: K Dan Carpenter, K Andrew Franks, K Cody Parkey, P Brandon Fields, P Matt Darr, LB Jason Trusnik, CB Jimmy Wilson, LB Kelvin Sheppard; Free agent: S Michael Thomas
Comment: Denney has been the mainstay, but as with most NFL teams, this area has churned greatly over the last few years. They’ve lost key personnel — Thomas, an unrestricted free agent and special teams captain, is one to watch this offseason — but have managed to recover fairly well and stay in the top half of the league in overall special teams play. Special teams have probably won far more games than they’ve lost during the last six years.