While the Miami Dolphins have plenty of issues right now when it comes to their team, the biggest thing could be chemistry between the team's two biggest stars. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill and Mike Wallace have yet to develop a strong connection on the field as the big plays are severely lacking in South Beach. Going forward for the remainder of the season, the two vow to get on the same page.
Wallace signed a five-year, $60 million contract in the offseason because the Dolphins wanted touchdowns and big plays. Instead, Wallace does not rank as the team's leading receiver, taking a backseat to Brian Hartline. He has 495 yards on the season and just one touchdown. On Monday night, Wallace was scorched by cornerback Darrelle Revis as the Dolphins lost on a final interception.
"I made a bad throw," Tannehill said, via the Miami Herald. "It was moving to my right and it tailed to the right on me. Sometimes, it's on me. Sometimes, it's on him. We've got to get it together and be on the same page."
Wallace is not earning his contract and Tannehill is not helping. The receiver's career-low for touchdowns in a season is six and right now he has just one with seven games left to play. He is tied for the lead in drops with nine on the season and ranked 69th among receivers who have played at least 25 percent of their snaps this season. However, having a quarterback with a 49.4 rating is certainly not helping.
"Right now, we're just looking forward, making the plays that are there," Tannehill said. "We've had some plays there, like the one I didn't make. I have to step up and make that throw."
Wallace has been rarely made available to media ever since his one catch debut with the team, but the receiver has admitted to frustrations on the season considering he came to Miami expecting to win.
"I'm always happy to win. That's what we play for, to win," Wallace said. "I expect to win. So I don't get overly excited when we win, because every time we step on the field, that's what I'm there for. If you see us win or you see us lose, I'm not going to be jumping around either way."
Head coach Joe Philbin is hoping to start increasing the amount of big plays made on the field. In 2013, Wallace has caught just three of the 15 passes thrown his way for 20 yards or more. If Miami is going to start stringing some wins together, Philbin believes those numbers must change.
"We need to make the big play we had [against the Buccaneers]," Philbin said. "Those are plays we have to start making. He can help us make those kind of plays. We certainly want as many of those as we can get. We need more explosive plays in our offense."