Photo: Dirk Hansen, Flickr BY SEAN DONOVAN
Tannehill is eager to take on the challenge.
“I’m so excited to get down there to Miami. I can’t put it in words," Tannehill told the Miami media in his first teleconference as a Dolphin. "It’s a moment I’ve dreamed about all my life, so to finally have the opportunity and go to a great organization like the Miami Dolphins. I can’t wait to get down there and join the team.”
The Dolphins relied on new offensive coordinator Mike Sherman to provide inside information on whether Tannehill should be chosen to be the quarterback of the future. Sherman, who also has years of NFL coaching experience, was Tannehill's head coach at Texas A&M for the past four seasons.
“I definitely think it will help," said Tannehill, when asked how reuniting with Sherman will ease his transition. "Playing under him for four year in College Station at A&M and learning the game. He’s a great coach and a great teacher. Also, Coach Philbin did a great job in Green Bay and looking forward in working with both of them.”
The converted wide receiver knows he has more to learn about his position and the NFL.
"Whatever the situation is I have a lot to learn," he said. "I want to go in and learn from the guys that are there, Matt (Moore) and David (Garrard). Good players and they’ve been around for awhile so I have a lot to learn from them. Looking forward to getting into the locker room, getting to know those guys and getting back to playing football.”
“... I want to compete. That’s just the competitor in me. Obviously, with competition also comes learning. It doesn’t have to be a hostile competition. Just competing, we’re all football players and we’re all competitors. That’s the driving force behind the game. Just because I say I want to compete doesn’t mean I think I should be the starter. I have to go in, join the team, and get to know the guys and learn from them.”
The Dolphins have started a league-high 16 different quarterbacks since 2000. Tannehill says he plans on wearing jersey number 17.
“I don’t think it would be more pressure than it would be at any other spot. I’m excited," Tannehill said regarding the challenge of playing for a team that has been searching for a quarterback for decades. "I put pressure on myself to be a good player. I want to be a great player one day so I’m excited about the opportunity and I welcome the pressure from the organization because I believe in the organization. And I’m glad that they drafted me.”
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