With Tom Brady likely suspended for the first four games following the NFL's ruling on 'Deflategate', the pressure is on the remaining teams in the AFC East to step up during that time period. All eyes officially fall on the Miami Dolphins who made several marquee moves in the offseason to potentially build a team that can finally take over the Patriots and sit at the top of the conference. With Brady gone, Ryan Tannehill has no more excuses entering 2015.
If Tannehill is going to lead the Dolphins to success, this is the time to do it. Miami showed faith in the quarterback by picking up his fifth-year option. The Miami Herald reported that while the team considered doing a long-term contract instead, the one-year deal is a better move should they need to grab another quarterback option in 2016. Now the pressure is on Tannehill with Brady out. The quarterback has the weapons, but can he make it work?
According to Ryan Yousefi of the Miami News Times, the Dolphins made every move they could to build around Tannehill this offseason. The team used their first-round draft pick on a top wide receiver. They boosted the offensive line. They added running back depth. They put veterans on the roster to help with leadership in the huddle. The time is now for Tannehill as the Dolphins are in a strong position to make a move in the AFC East with Brady and the Patriots hitting a road block.
The wide receiver position was an area of focus for the Dolphins are the team drafted DeVante Parker, traded for Kenny Stills and signed Greg Jennings. So far Parker has impressed the coaching staff in his short time on the roster. According to the Palm Beach Post, Parker is drawing comparisons to Jarvis Landry who will headline the receiving rotation in 2016. If all goes according to plan, Parker and Landry will be the top two receivers next season while Stills, Jennings and tight end Jordan Cameron round things out. There was belief that Parker could push Jennings out of the roster, but that is unlikely considering the Dolphins need depth.
The rest of the offense is set. Lamar Miller and Jay Ajayi will be the one-two punch on the ground. Tannehill has all the right weapons to be successful and the Dolphins could become real contenders in 2016.
