3. Will The Deep Ball be there Consistently?
For the better part of quarterback Ryan Tannehill’s first three seasons in the league, he has had a reputation, fair or not, for being unable to make big plays and complete the deep ball.
Want some perspective on deep balls? Tannehill has connected on 31 percent of them since 2012 — same as Tom Brady. http://t.co/U7ftfnvVEn
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) August 11, 2015
And while his long throws have not been bad when he wasn’t targeting former Fins receiver Mike Wallace, it’s clear Tannehill has improved on that part of his game heading into his fourth season. Virtually every day in practice Tannehill, who signed a $96 million extension over the summer, is hitting receivers in stride down the field. While this has taken place during practice and the verdict on this will remain out until it transpires during games, it must be noted that these long completions are happening in the absence of Miami’s top two deep threats: DeVante Parker (foot) and Kenny Stills (calf).
“I think he’s throwing ball better this camp than he ever has overall,” Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin said this week of Tannehill.
Intended or not, Tannehill seemingly took a shot at Wallace, who was cut in the offseason after producing more adversity than big plays, when he said about the long ball, “I think that not only am I better at it, but our receivers are doing a great job of adjusting to the football and making plays on it when it’s in the air. I’m excited about that and the potential that we have.”
While Tannehill may not be asked to throw any deep balls against Chicago, since the starters do not normally play much in the first preseason game, this will be something to keep an eye on.
Next: Will the Dolphins Keep More than Five Receivers?
