Miami Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland admits rookie QB Ryan Tannehill not ready as starter – NFL News
Miami Dolphins’ general manager, Jeff Ireland, has admitted for the first time that it will be very difficult for rookie quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, to beat the incumbent QB Matt Moore and veteran David Garrard in the starting QB competition.
Ryan was given a few snaps on the starting line on last day of the team’s three-day mandatory minicamp but he failed to impress coaches. This led to doubts that the rookie was not ready to be entrusted with the starting role, and now the GM’s remarks confirmed
he is not.
It is likely now that the competition for the leading role is left between the incumbent Matt and veteran David. Dolphins are due to open their training camp soon and both QBs are expected to compete for the position straightaway.
Jeff said:
"I'm trying not to put too many grandiose expectations on the kid."
He added:
"I think (Tannehill) is our future. Obviously, I wouldn't have drafted him with the eighth pick in the draft. I feel like he's the kind of guy you want in the locker room, the kind of athlete you want running an offense. But we've got two other quarterbacks
here that are very established, very good competitors, so it's not going to be easy for him. But you want him to learn from these other veterans and let it play out."
Ryan’s draft rating was impressive but the main problem for him is that he does not have much experience as a QB in the college league. His position as a starter is particularly under radar.
Yet almost all analysts agree with Dolphins GM that he is a great talent and can prove a long-term asset for the team. They also said it is too early to test him in the starting position. It is riskier for the player than the team. His failing as a starter
can have a negative impact on the player’s career progression.
This almost clears the situation that the rookie is not going to be handed over the starting role, for initial part of this season at least. There is a chance he can be tried on the line once again in training camp but certainly he is not ready for it at
the moment.
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