Another year, another struggling start for the Miami Dolphins. After getting the upset win over the New England Patriots, the Dolphins have followed that up with two straight losses that are starting to concern the coaching staff. While the Dolphins have numerous areas struggling, all eyes fall directly to Ryan Tannehill who is in a crucial season for his career and failing to deliver. Will the result be benching the quarterback in Week 4?
The Dolphins head to London this week to face the Oakland Raiders and it is uncertain whether or not Tannehill will be traveling as the starting quarterback or the bench player. According to head coach Joe Philbin, the Dolphins are not committed to Tannehill as the starter for Week 4 after his play came under fire in Week 3. Philbin told reporters that the team will set a game plan before they leave to play Oakland. However, according to the Miami Herald, the Dolphins will meet on Monday and decide whether or not Tannehill will remain the starting quarterback.
In the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Tannehill went 21-of-43 in passing for 205 yards, one touchdown and one fumble. He was also sacked four times. That is not the stats of a quarterback who was in a draft class where most of the other players at the position have seen the post season. Miami has tried to surround Tannehill with offensive weapons, signing Mike Wallace and drafting Jarvis Landry with the hopes of creating more explosive plays. That has not been productive. They signed Knowshon Moreno to establish the run game, but he is injured. The quarterback is aware the pressure is on him at the moment.
"It's not discouraging, it's frustrating," Tannehill said, via the Sun-Sentinel. "I'm upset at myself the way I've played, so obviously I want to get it corrected. But we've got a long season ahead of us and it starts with this week. You flip it around in one week and you play well and then you start stringing good games together. So it's just a matter of going out and taking care of business this week. I just haven't been putting the ball in the right spot. I haven't been at my best and it's got to change, and it's got to change fast."
Fantasy owners are likely frustrated with Tannehill as well considering he is hurting the value of Mike Wallace and Brandon Gibson and the rest of the receiving corps. The offense is doing the most with what they are being given at the moment. Tannehill might have used his last shot of redemption with the Dolphins. Miami has a quality backup in Matt Moore and he could see some increased playing time in the upcoming future if Tannehill does not look up to par.
