After all, three teams have found their quarterbacks of the future in this year's draft, with the Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck, Washington Redskins' Robert Griffin III and Seattle Seahawks' Russell Wilson all having spectacular seasons.
But some of the top minds in covering the NFL don't place Miami's struggles on the rookie signal-caller, but on the pieces around him. (photo: June Rivera, Flickr)
“In my opinion, this kid can play. He’s the future of your franchise,” NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said, via the Palm Beach Post. "You need [receivers] who can stretch the field vertically, and without that your quarterback is going to be hampered."
ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer added: “Just because an offense doesn’t look good doesn’t mean they didn’t hit on the rookie quarterback. They don’t have a lot of guys that make him a lot better... but he’s a fantastic player.”
Both Mayock and Dilfer spend countless hours analyzing game film to form their opinions and see no reason to be down on Tannehill, who has thrown eight touchdown to 12 interceptions this season. But the quarterback himself is frustrated with his own mistakes, as well as his inability to lead his team to more victories.
"Yeah, it's frustrating," Tannehill said after Sunday's 27-13 loss to the San Fransisco 49ers, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "I had plenty of chances to make a throw at the end and didn't. All I can do is keep grinding and keep practicing, working to get better."
"... None of us enjoy the situation that we're in right now. We don't enjoy losing."
The former No. 8 overall pick completed 17-of-33 passes for 150 yards and a touchdown in the game, respectable numbers against one of the NFL's top defenses. But he was still more focused on the throws he left on the field.
"We have to make the plays that are there," Tannehill said. "You can't win in this league scoring as few points as we are."
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