Five Miami Dolphins players who must step up in 2016
By Jason Clary
It’s no secret that Miami was a dumpster fire last season. How else could Joe Philbin have survived a disastrous 2014 season? It wasn’t good looks, I’ll tell you that.
Whether Tannehill was urinating blood, or Dallas Thomas was somehow still in possession of a starting spot, it was a forgettable season with a mere sprinkle of memorable plays.
The Dolphins are still full of question marks, but such is to be expected under a first-year head coach who inherited a team of disappointment. As Adam Gase tries to turn that disappointment into a respectable football team, he’s going to be relying on these players to step up in a big way in 2016.
Ryan Tannehill, Quarterback
I’m just going to get this out of the way. The Dolphins fanbase is either filled with Tanne-lovers or Tanne-haters, of which I am neither. I certainly wouldn’t pick Tannehill over quarterbacks like Derek Carr or Andy Dalton, but Adam Gase is probably happy he’s thousands of miles from Jay Cutler.
This isn’t the 2012 Dolphins with Brian Hartline as a No. 1 receiver. This year’s team has talent at the skill positions, which should certainly help Tannehill along in his development (can I still say the “D” word going into the 5th season?).
Every season that Tannehill has played for Miami, the offensive line has failed. Miami is hopeful that the drafting of Laremy Tunsil will cure the offensive line woes, which leaves Tannehill with this: The undoubted need to improve his play on third down and in the fourth quarter.
If Miami has any hope of sniffing a winning season, Tannehill needs to improve in those areas and in a big way.
Next: Jordan Cameron