Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Tannehill is rated worst starting QB
NFL ranking cites turnovers, lack of ‘big-time’ throws
With Ryan Tannehill’s career expected to come to an end with the Miami Dolphins, one NFL web site may have best summed up what was likely his final season with the team.
Pro Football Focus released its final rankings of every starting quarterback with at least 500 snaps during the 2018 regular season, and they rated Tannehill dead last of the 33 quarterbacks listed.
According to the site, “Tannehill finished the year with the third-lowest big-time throw percentage (2.9%) and a leaguehigh 6.57% turnoverworthy play percentage. He didn’t do his team any favors in 2018.”
The Dolphins are all but certain to move on from Tannehill and his escalating salary.
The 31-year-old Tannehill, who has been inconsistent since the Dolphins drafted him eighth overall in 2012, is expected to be traded or released.
Tannehill, who has a $26.6 million salary-cap figure for 2019, has a 42-46 record with the Dolphins.
His pocket awareness and inability to avoid sacks have plagued him throughout his NFL career. He also has struggled with his accuracy and has had fumbling issues, as well as the inability to consistently convert third downs.
In six seasons with the Dolphins, Tannehill completed 1,829-of-2,911 passes (62.8 percent) for 20,434 yards and 123 touchdowns. He also threw 75 interceptions, was sacked 248 times and had 51 fumbles. His career passer rating is 87.0.
Durability has also been a concern, having missed 25 games due to various injuries the past three seasons, including all of 2016.
In Sunday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills, he completed just 18-of-31 passes for 147 yards with two interceptions and a 43.4 passer rating.
Chris Grier, who on Monday was promoted to oversee the Dolphins’ football operations, didn’t give Tannehill a vote of confidence when asked if he would be part of the team next season.
“Yeah, because right now he’s on the roster. Again, the next head coach is going to come in and he’ll evaluate the roster as well and so again, we’ll work through that once that guy’s hired.”