Ryan Tannehill: 8 Reasons to Believe QB Will Get Miami Dolphins Back on Track

It's tough not to envy Ryan Tannehill.

The Miami Dolphins just drafted him with the eighth overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft, will soon sign him to a multi-million dollar contract and eventually will make him the face of this storied franchise. 

Despite all of this, Ryan Tannehill might be in one of the most unenviable positions possible. 

Unless he immediately thrives and leads the Dolphins to the playoffs, he will become the object of Dolphins fans' scorn. 

Playing before one of the league's most impatient fan bases leaves Tannehill with minimal room for error. 

But there's reason to believe that Tannehill will be the long-awaited replacement to Dan Marino. 

The Dolphins Already Have an Above-Average Supporting Cast

Typically, quarterbacks drafted within the top 10 are selected by struggling teams with depleted rosters (See: Andrew Luck and the Colts). 

This isn't the case for Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins, though. 

Granted, the Dolphins don't have any outstanding wide receivers, but they do have three very capable wideouts (Davone Bess, Brian Hartline, Legedu Naanee) and a slew of youngsters who could break through (Roberto Wallace, Marlon Moore, Clyde Gates, B.J. Cunningham, Rishard Matthews, Jeff Fuller). 

And, don't forget about the team's dangerous trio of running backs and tight ends. 

Tannehill and Mike Sherman Already Have an Established Relationship

At Texas A&M, Mike Sherman helped Ryan Tannehill morph from a wide receiver to an elite quarterback. 

Now, Sherman will help Tannehill morph from a raw, inexperienced rookie to—hopefully—a great NFL quarterback.

Their preexisting relationship will make this process significantly smoother. 

Sherman knows Tannehill and all of his idiosyncrasies. He knows where Tannehill needs to improve, and he knows how to communicate with him. These two won't have to waste any time getting comfortable with each other, and this should help Tannehill's transition to the NFL. 

Tannehill Already Grasps the Offense, Knows the West Coast Scheme

After the Dolphins' first rookie minicamp practice, Ryan Tannehill said he was familiar with "80-85 percent" of the playbook. 

One of the biggest challenges for NFL rookies—particularly quarterbacks—is learning the encyclopedia-sized playbooks, which are filled with complex schemes and terminology. 

Rather than spend these next few months learning the Dolphins' playbook, Tannehill will master it. By the start of the season, he could even help some of his veteran teammates absorb it. 

Joe Philbin's Track Record with Quarterbacks

Although Joe Philbin credits Packers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements with developing Aaron Rodgers and Matt Flynn, he deserves recognition for their success as well. 

Even if Philbin wasn't hands-on with Flynn and Rodgers' grooming, he designed game plans that catered perfectly to their strengths (But, let's be honest here. He's just being modest. Philbin was around both QBs virtually every day. Of course he helped them grow). 

Philbin clearly has an ability to recognize his quarterback's strengths and design a game plan that emphasizes them.

Hopefully, he can work the same magic on Ryan Tannehill.  

The Dolphins' Offensive Line Could Soon Rank Amongst the League's Best

The Dolphins' offensive line still needs plenty of work, but the foundation for an elite unit is in place. 

Jake Long is a perennial Pro Bowler, Mike Pouncey should become one and second-round pick Jonathan Martin also has All-Pro potential. 

Assuming Martin pans out and the Dolphins find a solid right guard (and maybe even an upgrade at left guard), then Ryan Tannehill will have the luxury of playing behind one of the league's best offensive lines. 

Tannehill Won't Be Rushed into a Starting Role Until He's Prepared

Maybe I'm being naive, but unless Tannehill looks phenomenal in training camp, I don't think we'll see too much of him this season. 

Once the Dolphins lose a few games, fans will start chanting his name at Sun Life Stadium—and somebody might even fly a plane above the stadium campaigning for Tannehill to play.

But this pressure won't faze Joe Philbin. 

He saw Aaron Rodgers and Matt Flynn benefit greatly from riding the pine, so don't expect him to rush Tannehill into a starting role until he's fully prepared. 

Plus, David Garrard and Matt Moore give Philbin two quality, capable quarterbacks who can keep the team competitive. 

He'll Learn Behind Two Successful Veterans

Speaking of David Garrard and Matt Moore, their presence should also help Tannehill turn into the franchise quarterback the Dolphins hope he'll become. 

Although neither is an elite quarterback, Garrard has a playoff victory and a Pro Bowl bid on his resume, and Moore played very impressively last year. 

If Tannehill Plays, Miami's Defense Will Help Him

Once Ryan Tannehill steps into the starting role, he won't have to worry about facing big deficits or starting drives in horrible field position. 

Miami's defense is primed to build upon a successful season. 

Vontae Davis, Cameron Wake, Karlos Dansby & Co. can force turnovers, shut down great offenses and keep the Dolphins in any game. 

Tannehill might struggle for a while, and fan frustration and a media firestorm could rattle him. But, if Miami's defense plays up to its potential, it can keep the team competitive so long as Tannehill isn't completely inept.