Ryan Tannehill Passes Dan Marino for Most Passing Yards by a Dolphins Rookie

Remember when Ryan Tannehill was supposed to be the biggest first-round bust ever? Well, after just 11 games, it's safe to say he's put a rest to those beliefs. 

Against the stout Seattle Seahawks defense on Sunday, the Miami Dolphins' rookie signal-caller joined some elite company.

Well, surpassed that elite company (via Miami Dolphins TV and radio host Jesse Agler):

"

Ryan Tannehill has just broken Dan Marino's franchise record for passing yards by a rookie.

— Jesse Agler (@finsjesse) November 25, 2012"

As of writing this, Tannehill is 13-of-19 for 155 yards. That pushes his season total up to 2,275. In Marino's rookie season, he threw for 2,210 yards in 11 games (nine starts).

While it's important not to start comparing Tannehill to the Hall of Famer, let's take a closer look at both rookie seasons, as total yards don't always tell the entire story. 

Tannehill's yards have come on 327 attempts, which comes out to 6.96 yards per throw. Marino threw the ball 296 times and had an impressive average of 7.5 yards per attempt.

The Dolphins' current rookie has completed just over 58 percent of his throws for six touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Marino also completed just over 58 percent of his throws, but he also compiled 20 touchdowns and just six picks. 

Marino's quarterback rating of 96.0 is significantly higher than Tannehill's 70.8. 

So, while Tannehill simply setting a franchise record for a city that Dan Marino called home is incredibly impressive, it's obviously still a little too early to induct him into the Hall of Fame.

Still, though, this is an encouraging sign for a player who drew tons of criticism before the start of the season. If he can make a fraction of the improvement that Marino made in his sophomore year—14-2 record, Super Bowl appearance, 5,084 yards, 48 touchdowns—those criticisms will be a distant memory.

You know, if they aren't already. 

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