Dolphins Gase won’t be tied to Tannhill

Dec 20, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) looks to pass as San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Kyle Emanuel (51) rushes during the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) looks to pass as San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Kyle Emanuel (51) rushes during the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Miami Dolphins have yet to play a single down of football under Adam Gase but his success as a head coach could come down to the play of Ryan Tannehill.

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The Dolphins have an out with Ryan Tannehill after the 2016 season. His contract parameters are such that releasing him would have limited to almost no cap restrictions. Of course the Dolphins would be without a starting quarterback.

That may not be a bad thing if your name is Adam Gase. 2016 will be an interesting season for Gase, his first as an NFL head coach. Gase is working with Tannehill and while his career won’t necessarily be tied to the successes or failures of Tannehill, 2016 will. And that perception could leave fans wondering if Gase is the right man for the job.

If the Dolphins get off to a rocky start on offense and the season falls apart before the playoff pushes begin during the 2nd half of the season, fans could view Gase, a man who is believed to be a very good QB coach, to be nothing more than an offensive coordinator.

It’s not fair by any means but it’s well documented how fans will turn on a head coach when things go south. His saving grace however may just be Ryan Tannehill.

If Tannehill performs poorly in Gase’s system, many fans are already fed up with the lack of progress Tannehill has made, Gase might be given a reprieve given the fact that Tannehill has struggled in systems that he was familiar with.

The reality of all this is simple. Gase is here for at least three years but more likely four. If he deems Ryan Tannehill to not be the quarterback that can lead his team towards a winning future, he will  ask the powers that be to find him one who can. And then it will get more interesting.

So far through the short off-season, players have been impressed with the practice play of Tannehill and how well he and Gase are working together, but it won’t matter if all this doesn’t translate to notches in the W column.