Miami Dolphins sign Texas A&M’s QB Ryan Tannehill for starting position as eighth overall pick
The Miami Dolphins have signed Texas A&M’s quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, as their overall eighth pick in the 2012 National Football League (NFL) draft scheduled from Thursday, April 26 to Saturday 28.
According to Dolphins’ general manager, Jeff Ireland, the draft plan was on their agenda quite well before and they were happy to sign the player.
Tannehill, the GM said, has been taken for the starting role and will be assigned to the position straightaway.
In spite of lacking experience, Ireland said, the player will provide them multiple solutions given the power and throw strength he has.
The GM said:
"I didn't take him with the eighth pick in the draft for him to be a backup quarterback. I picked him to be a starting quarterback in this league at some point to have an impact on the team and help us win games and championships. That's the expectation."
The signing might also please the team’s fans who apparently are critical of their managers following their unsuccessful attempt to woo former Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback, Peyton Manning, off the agency.
He added:
"This finalizes a plan we put in place several months ago when we started with the free-agency process and started preparing for the draft. This solidifies the quarterback position. We wanted depth at the position.”
It is set to relieve some pressure off Dolphins’ owner, Stephen Ross, who has recently been accused of meddling into the team’s affairs, and particularly influencing decisions of the front office.
This is for the first time since 1983 when the Miami Dolphins had signed Dan Marino that they have taken on board a first-round quarterback.
Dolphins have recently been linked to some difficulties in pursuing the recruitment of the draft given the reason that a number of other teams were seen to be keen on exploring the opportunity.
However, the managers ruled out the possibility of facing any tough competition from other contenders in their self-assuring statement a day earlier. They looked less worried about the situation.
Apparently, the owner is more satisfied with the efforts of his managers on the opportunity. He hopes that the new QB will give his best shot to live up to the expectations.
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