Salguero and Volin Differ but the Dolphins Should Sign Greg Jennings

One touchdown. That's how many touchdowns Brian Hartline amassed in his breakthrough 2012 campaign. His number of touchdowns was matched by seldomly-targeted receiver Marlon Moore. That said, Hartline's 1083 yards dwarfs Moore's 116, but yet, they contributed the same amount of receiving touchdowns. In fact, in 2012, Dolphins wide receivers contributed a meager three touchdowns of the total 13 receiving touchdowns. In 2010, Dolphins wide receivers contributed ten of the 20 receiving touchdowns, and in 2011, receivers  again accounted for ten of the Dolphins 17 receiving touchdowns. It must be noted that the Dolphins rostered Pro Bowl receiver Brandon Marshall in 2010 and 2011.

Nine, twelve, nine, twelve, four...

Those numbers represent the recent history of touchdowns in a given season that pending free agent wide receiver, Greg Jennings has amassed. Even the comparably measly four touchdowns Jennings produced in eight games in 2012 (he was playing hurt in half those eight games) is one more than all of the Dolphins receivers combined, and quadruples the highest output of the leading Dolphins receiver in touchdown receptions.

Greg Jennings has a knack for catching touchdowns, even in the Superbowl

That's why I would dismiss Ben Volin's preference of signing Dwayne Bowe and pass on Armando Salguero's recommendation of signing Mike Wallace, and sign Greg Jennings. In order to find a Dolphins receiver that has even sniffed Jennings touchdown production, we have to go all the way back to 2005 when Chris Chambers compiled an impressive eleven touchdowns. 

The Dolphins inability to find a playmaking receiver in the red zone is one of the reasons why the franchise continues to perennially rank among the bottom of the league in red zone efficiency. Greg Jennings offers a better solution to their red zone woes, more so than Bowe or Wallace. There are great arguments to be made in favour of both Bowe and Wallace; Bowe provides durability, relative youth and consistent production, while Wallace brings youth and blazing, unparalleled speed. However, both free agents are malcontents to their respective locker rooms. Bowe has a season of 15 touchdowns and Wallace hasn't had a season fewer than eight touchdowns since his rookie campaign, but Bowe hasn't surpassed more than seven scores in any other season and Wallace relies too heavily on the deep ball scores, which isn't Tannehill's strength. For every check mark in favour of Bowe and Wallace, there seems to be a big X that is marked alongside the check. 

The Jennings argument is more solid. Not only is Jennings one of the best red zone threats in the league but he won't need time acclimating to the Philbin playbook he learned when Philbin was with the Packers. And, not only is Jennings a locker room leader but he will most likely play with a chip on his shoulder, feeling like he was the odd man out in Titletown. Jennings detractors will look at his age (30), recent history concerns and lack of explosiveness as reasons to stay away from the two-time Pro Bowl receiver; however, Jennings provides the Dolphins and General Manager Jeff Ireland a solution to their number one off-season worry, finding players who score touchdowns. Greg Jennings offers that ability in spades. 

Tannehill's Run Game Helping Him To Round Into Complete Quarterback

On a 2nd and 7 from the Dolphins own 43 yard line, with 2:51 remaining left in the 3rd quarter, during Sunday's contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Ryan Tannehill took a shotgun snap and prepared to launch the ball downfield. When he spotted that his receiving targets were blanketed by defenders in black, Tannehill made a snap decision to go ahead with plan B, run like the dickens. Tannehill dashed out of the pocket, sprinting into enemy territory; he evaded two would-be tackles, splitting right through the linebackers. He darted towards the sideline, amassing 30 yards on his most impressive carry of the season. That play would help lead the Dolphins to another field goal and ultimately an impressive 24-3 win over the lowly AFC Conference and state rivals.

That run not only provided insight into the immense athletic ability of the former wide receiver-turned quarterback Texas A&M Aggie, but also highlighted that he's maturing as an NFL Quarterback. This game was not a one-off; Tannehill has gained 77 yards in the last three games using his legs, including a 52 yard effort yesterday against the Jags. Earlier in the season, as the Dolphins 2012 first round selection was getting acclimated with the quicker professional game, he would have tried to fit that ball into an impossible receiving window or get sacked because he didn't make a quick enough decision. What that 30 yard run exemplified yesterday was quick decisive action that we've come to expect from the great signal-callers in this league. He quickly acknowledged his receivers were covered and there was room to sprint downfield. He's starting to realize his legs are every bit the threat as his cannon-like arm. This realization will bode well for the future franchise quarterback and the Dolphins organization as they continue to build around their rookie centrepiece.

Tannehill diving forward for extra yards

Tannehill churned out his best performance of the year yesterday, completing 78% of his passes and accumulating a 123.3 quarterback rating (or a 90.3 QBR for you ESPN-following readers). He also threw for 2 touchdowns, matching his career high for touchdown passes in a game (Week 7 v. The Rams). It must be said, that the pitiful 2-12 Jaguars have the 31st-ranked defense but Tannehill has to show this type of ability and poise against all opponents.

Hopefully Tannehill will continue to use the running threat in his arsenal, rounding into a complete quarterback.

Next, he's got to work on those deep balls. We hope the 2013 offseason is all about aiding him in that pursuit.

Forget 2012 Playoffs, Tannehill needs to show improvement going into 2013

The Miami Dolphins are 13 weeks into the 2012 season and currently sit at 5-7. As they stare at another losing season - a franchise record fourth consecutive losing season - the bigger picture still remains; Will Ryan Tannehill develop into the franchise Quarterback South Beach has longed for since you-know-who retired? Despite providing some midseason hope of a 2012 playoff push, Dolfans are back to the original hope of the 2012, Ryan Tannehill will become the QB of the future.

The Dolphins 2012 first round selection had a chance to show his mettle on Sunday against the Goliath-like New England Patriots. After displaying great resolve and rallying from a seven-point deficit to beat the Seattle Seahawks in Week 12, Tannehill had the opportunity to take another step in his development by beating Tom Brady's Patriots. Not only did Tannehill and the Dolphins not win the game, but Tannehill struggled mightily at times. This was not more evident than in the first quarter when he missed a deep pass to a wide open Brian Hartline, which would have resulted in the Dolphins tying the game at 7.

In the third quarter, when the Dolphins trailed by seven, the Dolphins defense pinned the vaunted Patriots offense deep in their end of the field twice; this gave the Dolphins offense great field position. On both Dolphins drives, Tannehill and the Fish went three and out. When it looked like the Dolphins defense swung momentum in favour of the Dolphins, the Dolphins gave momentum right back; they never regained that momentum.

Tannehill didn't fare well against the division-rival Patriots

What I'm seeing from Tannehill right now is not an ability to extend drives but a lack of ability to start drives. At an alarming rate, the Dolphins O continues to go three and out; it's not any more prevalent than at the start of the game. The Dolphins received the ball first in games against New England, Buffalo and Tennessee. They could only muster one first down in the opening drives of those games. I believe early success for Tannehill will lead to success later in the game, especially if the Dolphins can play with the lead.

With four games left and the playoffs all but a pipe dream, Tannehill's improvement is the number one priority of the Dolphins coaching staff. Now is the time for Tannehill to step up and claim the team as his, for the next 15 years; it's what Dolfans have longed for, for the last 15 years.  

Dolphins Superbowl is Sunday

Coming off the heels of the Dolphins first seven-point, fourth quarter comeback since 2005 and rookie Quarterback Ryan Tannehill's first comeback in the NFL, the Dolphins go into Sunday against the division rival New England Patriots with feint playoff hopes remaining. Sunday's game at Sunlife Stadium will be the Dolphins theoretical Superbowl for the 2012 season. The Dolphins have everything to prove against the vaunted Pats.

Can they hang with the big boys of the NFL?
Can Tannehill keep pace with the iconic Tom Brady?
Can the Dolphins defense slow down a steamrolling Patriots offense?

This week's game, more than any other, will truly define the development of Joe Philbin's squad in the first year of his program. The Dolphins will be up to the challenge but they'll need to execute the game plan flawlessly to upset the division leading foes.

Here's how the Dolphins can pull off the upset:

1) Disrupt the rhythm of Tom Brady: The Dolphins front four will need to push the pocket and attack the edges so Tom Brady rarely has ample time to throw from a comfy pocket. If Paul Soliai can play as well as he did on Sunday against the Seahawks, then they'll have a good chance of disrupting the timing of Tom Brady

Paul Soliai will need to be a disruptive force versus the Pats

2) Stop the Patriots run game:  The Dolphins were able to snuff out the run against the Seahawks and it limited their playbook and put the game in the hands of a rookie QB (although Russell Wilson was outstanding!). The Dolphins simply cannot allow the Pats to have a dual-threat offensive game plan. If they can force the Patriots to become one-dimensional on offense, then the Dolphins can amplify the pass rush and try to get to Tom Brady more frequently.

3) Lots of Bush, Bess and Clay: As Patriots staff, writers and fans can attest to, the Patriot's linebackers have a tough time in coverage. If you can get the great run-stopping but slow-footed Brandon Spikes out into coverage, it will be a mismatch for Dolphins pass catchers all day. They need to game plan to get one on one match ups with Bess, Bush and Clay on the opposing linebackers and safeties. The Dolphins will win that match all game long.

Indeed the mettle of the Miami Dolphins will be tested on Sunday, their 2012 Superbowl, but if they show the same resolve they displayed against the Seahawks then perhaps it will be the first step towards making it to the actual Superbowl with Ryan Tannehill under centre.