Fatherhood Should Make Tannehill A Better Dolphins QB
News that Ryan Tannehill is expecting his first child surface on April Fools day from his wife Lauren. Will it make him a better quarterback?
More from Dolphins News
- Tua Tagovailoa practicing with teammates is everything a leader does
- 4 offensive tackles Miami Dolphins could draft at 51
- Miami Dolphins don’t need CB help but these 5 could be available at 51
- 4 players that could replace Wilkins if Miami Dolphins don’t re-sign him
- Miami Dolphins have a starting point with Wilkins after Simmons deal
Recently, Lauren Tannehill, wife of Dolphins starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill, announced that the two are expecting their first child, posting a picture of her baby bump on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/laurentannehill/?hl=en). To the Tannehills: congratulations! To Dolphins fans: while some fans might be concerned that fatherhood will negatively affect Ryan’s performance on the field, fatherhood should actually make Ryan a better starting quarterback for the Dolphins for a few reasons.
Communication. Whether he is communicating with Lauren about who will change a diaper, who will feed the child, or whether to soothe the child or let him/her cry it out, Ryan’s communication skills will be tested. A child not only alters the way one communicates with his/her spouse, but s/he also forces one to learn how to develop communication methods with someone new and unfamiliar. Lessons learned in overcoming those obstacles should help Ryan avoid the type of strained relationship that he apparently had with former head coach Joe Philbin. Ryan should learn to communicate even better with his existing teammates and should also learn to communicate more effectively with his new and unfamiliar head coach, offensive coordinator, starting running back, whomever that might become, and even officials.
Focus. Fans might worry that Ryan will be exhausted, that a newborn child will create many sleepless nights that will cause Ryan to lose focus on the field. The six-year, $96 million ($45 million guaranteed) contract extension Ryan signed last year alone should alleviate those fears. In addition to assistance from family and friends, the Tannehills have the resources to hire the type of help most parents dream of but never have available. Ryan’s consistent approach to his relationship, his job, and his charity work all suggest that Ryan will be dedicated to his upcoming fatherhood. With more on his plate and shifting priorities, the extent of Ryan’s success will depend on how well he can focus on the task at hand. For the Dolphins, this means focusing even more intently on offensive strategies, performance and relationships with teammates and coaches.
Pride. People often seek the approval of their parents as well as their friends and spouse. With a child of his own, Ryan will also have an opportunity to establish a legacy that his child can be proud of. More consistency, better accuracy, fewer interceptions, better relations with coaches and teamwork become goals not only for the starting quarterback heading into the 2016-17 season but also for the dad coming home to his wife and newborn.