Michael Bennett critiques Ryan Tannehill, Quarterbacks

The Miami Dolphins almost made quarterback Ryan Tannehill a $100 million man this offseason by awarding him a $96 million contract extension through 2020. Seattle Seahawk’s defensive end Michael Bennett critiqued the Dolphins’ decision-making on Tuesday by calling out Tannehill and quarterback mediocrity throughout the league.

In today’s day-in-age, several “franchise” quarterbacks are being awarded for their splendid game-management and earnest potential. Meanwhile, Bennett believes quarterbacks are being simply overpaid for their mediocre play, when other positions simply wouldn’t get that sort of deal.

"“Quarterback is the only position in the NFL where you could be mediocre and get paid. At every other position, you can’t be mediocre,” Bennett said on a in an interview with Brock and Salk on 710 ESPN Seattle. “If I was Ryan Tannehill and the most games I ever won was seven, how could you get a $100 million for that? I guess that’s the value of the position.”"

Bennett’s complaints are distinctively justified. Bennett is in search of a new contract extension from the Seattle Seahawks. Bennett proclaimed he is unhappy and contemplated holding out from training camp, but later arrived to camp and wanted to act professional.

"“I mean, I’m unhappy. But the thing is, this is my job and I can’t let my unhappiness trump my professionalism,” he said. “I still have to be a professional and keep trying but go out there and make sure that I’m proving why I think I’m one of the best defensive players in the league.”"

Again, Bennett’s frustrations towards Tannehill and other quarterbacks are seemingly being channeled through his own contract situation. However, Bennett may have taken a cheap shot on Tannehill.

In his three years as a starting quarterback in the league, Tannehill has compiled a 23-25 record, only winning seven games once in his career. Per Bennett’s statement, Tannehill has surpassed the seven-win statement twice in his career. We’ll chalk this inaccuracy up to the heat of the moment.

In 2014, a season dubbed by some as a breakout season for Tannehill, the Dolphin’s quarterback ranked 14^th among quarterback passer ratings, narrowly ahead of several quarterbacks with a higher contract, including Joe Flacco, and Cam Newton.

Aside from Bennett’s slightly imprecise comments, Tannehill’s position on the team is seemingly more important than Bennett’s.

In Bennett’s two years with Seattle, Bennett has only started 19 of 32 games, as he missed a majority of the 2013 season due to a frightening back injury. In these two years, Bennett has compiled 15.5 sacks, narrowly out-sacking fellow Seahawk’s end Cliff Avril.

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It is without a doubt the quarterback position brings the biggest impact to the overall outcome of the game. Aside from touching the ball every play, the quarterback makes a variety of reads, audibles, and decisions on any given play, as opposed to the defensive end position.

This doesn’t mean that Bennett doesn’t deserve to get paid. According to spoctrac.com, in 2015 Bennett was the 15^th highest paid defensive end, tied with his teammate Cliff Avril. Bennett’s projected earnings were estimated at just over $7 million in 2015.

Aside from his shots to Tannehill, Bennett also channeled his frustrations through several other quarterbacks, including the controversy surrounding Sam Bradford of the Philadelphia Eagles taking a hit from the Baltimore Raven’s Terrell Suggs.

"“Then quarterbacks get protected more than any other player. I mean, he gets hit in his knees and he’s about to cry,” Bennett said.“‘They hit me in my legs.’ Everybody gets hit in their legs. Every play somebody tries to hit me in my legs. So what makes him different? What makes his life better than mine? I’ve got kids. I’ve got stuff I like to do on the weekend. But because he gets hit in his legs, he gets a flag. He gets up with a sad face like the world just ended because he got hit. I mean, you got hit in an NFL game. Who cares? Get back up and be like, ‘Good job.'”"

According to ESPN.com, Bennett was referencing Suggs’ hit on Bradford during their preseason game on Saturday.

Bennett continued to share admiration for several quarterbacks who simply take hits and show no reaction pleading for a flag. Bennett named Cam Newton, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady… Yes Tom Brady, the same individual that pleaded for the controversial Tuck Rule a few years ago.

"“I respect Tom Brady because when Tom Brady gets hit, he gets up and is like, ‘Good job. Good hit.’ He gets back in the huddle and he holds his own like a man,” Bennett said. “We’ve got guys in the NFL crying because they get hit. ‘Oh, Suggs hit me and I’m running the read-option.'”"

Nonetheless, Bennett shared several frustrations with the delicacy of the quarterback position on Tuesday. Amidst the start of the regular season, Bennett is stirring the pot regarding starting quarterbacks, but more importantly, his contract concerns.

What do you think of Bennett’s comments?

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