Sherman tells what position on offense has improved most

It's one thing when I tell you how far a player has come and improved. It's one thing when you tell me how far a player has come and improved. But when the coaches see it, based on in-depth tape study of games as well as practice, based on personal interaction and evaluation, then we have something.

The Dolphins have something in Ryan Tannehill.

Mike Sherman, the Dolphins offensive coordinator, was asked Monday what area on offense has improved the most since the regular-season opener at Houston.

One guess ... it wasn't Charles Clay.

“I would have to say our quarterback position is the most dramatic improvement on the offensive side of the ball," Sherman said. "He just keeps getting better and better. Very seldom does he make the same mistake twice. You tell him that you need to do this and he does it. So I think that his maturation throughout the course of the NFL season, going into Week Six, he has taken steps every single week. He will continue to do that throughout the course of the season and the course of his career. So I would think that’s the single biggest jump this season."

Not only has Tannehill shown long-range improvement but he's playing better now than he did even a couple of weeks ago when I told you his accuracy was off. Since that time, he's delivered consecutive games with a completion percentages of over 60, including a career high 65 percent versus Cincinnati.

“I think his decision making has definitely improved over the last couple of weeks," Sherman said. "Each game we go into and come out of less and less of us being critical of his decisions. He’s made some very good decisions here as of late. The other thing I would say would be, push in the pocket. He had the tendency to leave the pocket with depth. Now he's stepping up in the pocket and finding throws to make. He had a great throw to (Davone) Bess on a scramble in the game. He’s created some plays with his feet by pushing up in the pocket. Yeah I would say those two areas, push in the pocket and decision making have definitely improved."

Tannehill is on the right path, folks. The case can be made that he is the second-best quarterback in the AFC East right now.

When was the last time the Dolphins could say that and believe it was a long-term truth? And, assuming he continues to get better, when was the last time one could believe eventually -- once Tom Brady's play begins to diminish with time -- that Miami could dominate the division because of its QB play?

Been a while.

[BLOG NOTE: I regret that we will no longer be including the feature videos on every Tannehill throw from week to week. The NFL's long legal arm contacted the maker of the videos that we've put up here for a month and informed him he was in violation of some policy or other. Then J.J. Watt knocked his front door down and told him if he didn't stop it, he'd break in two. So the videos are no more.]

 

Comments

[We Have RB's]

Common Sense,

BTW--And this is not b/c I'm a Dolphin fan but Sanchez is one of the worst starting QB's in the NFL. His completion percentage is under 50% & clearly he has regressed since his first two seasons. Sanchez--like all NFL QB's--is fine when he has perfect protection but he struggles with his accuracy & decision making when he's under pressure or he's flushed out of the pocket. He's a player like Matt Leinart & who thrived in the USC system in college but wasn't good enough to transition to the speed of the NFL.

The Jets are f#cked at QB after trading up for Sanchize & I LOVE it!!!

[reality check]

Well Craig M, same holds true to Tanny compared to Tebow. Maybe in a few years he can be as good as Tebow. Not likely though!

[fin4life]

fin4life,

To me, Watt is more like Reggie White. Maybe not quite as powerful as White but he's similar in the length of arms and looks like it's going to start taking more than one guy to slow him down. I figured there'd be only one Eggie White but this guy is the most impressive defender playing that position I've seen in a very long time.

Craig M | October 09, 2012 at 01:16 PM

I see your point given the size of Watt but people forget that LT in the 80's at 6'3"/240 was a HUGE OLB in that era. Reggie was dominant as both a DT and a DE but was over powering and not quit as fast as Watt who comes off that edge with the best of them at his massive size. Another thing is everybody remembers the sacks with LT but seem to forget he batted more passes down than anybody even picking a few in his day. I suspect like with Taylor you will see more double T.E. formations trying to slow down Watt with a RB chipping (triple team) much like was the book on Taylor, IMHO.

[CommonSense]

RBs, agreed. Sanchez is pretty terrible.

Jets are in big trouble going forward. Seriously think about it, they need a new: QB, RT, WR x2, RB x2, OC, and probably HC. Only bright skill spot on the offense is Keller.

[Craig M]

fin4life,

I just see Watt as a more complete player than LT. Not knocking LT, he was one of the most dominant players I've ever seen play at any position. I just see Watt as a guy who can also handle the run very well too. On top of his freakish athleticism, he's also a very smart player too, as evidenced by the crazy number of knockdowns he has this year.

[We Have RB's]

NFL.com has us ranked at 22. I could care less about Elliot Harison's "fantasy football" bullsh#t but it's notable that we are the best defense in the NFL against the run.

"Miami is beginning to show the rest of the league that it's no joke, especially on the defensive side of the ball. If you play fantasy football, which all of you do, the Miami front seven is almost becoming what you would call a "can't play" -- as in you can't play your fantasy running backs against the Fins' defense. If you don't believe me, take a gander at what opposing starting tailbacks have done against the Dolphins this season:

Week 1, Arian Foster: 26 carries, 79 yards.
Week 2, Darren McFadden: 11 carries, 22 yards.
Week 3, Shonn Greene: 19 carries, 40 yards.
Week 4, Ryan Williams: 13 carries, 26 yards.
Week 5, BenJarvus Green-Ellis: 9 carries, 14 yards.

Fantasy, reality, whatever -- makes no difference. Starting tailbacks have been MIA. (See what I did there? MIA ... Miami ... I know, awful.)"

[reality check]

Yea but, Bernard Scott was gashing us. too bade he went out or Miami would have lost.

[CommonSense]

Yeah, but he has the Jets ranked #21... Not sure how that works... Fox Sports has a decent one (not Billick's), but there is "Sim Picks/Rankings" based on stats. Had the Fins at 20 last week/22 this week.

[fin4life]

The Jets are f#cked at QB after trading up for Sanchize & I LOVE it!!!

We Have RB's | October 09, 2012 at 01:28 PM

The worst part about it if your a Jets fan is the fact Sanchez has a 9 Million guarantee for 2013 making him untradeable and probably the real reason Rex won't go Tebow knowing that if he survives as H.C. he is stuck with Sanchez regardless.

[We Have RB's]

Craig,

I think JJ Watt is what Mario Williams was supposed to be--an absolute game wrecker.

JJ Watt is a 6'5", 295 pound, DE so I'd compare him more to Julius Peppers or Reggie White than LT who was an OLB.

[We Have RB's]

"The worst part about it if your a Jets fan is the fact Sanchez has a 9 Million guarantee for 2013 making him untradeable and probably the real reason Rex won't go Tebow knowing that if he survives as H.C. he is stuck with Sanchez regardless."

Fin4Life,

Isn't it great??? LMFAO!!!

[Bill C]

So where are all the haters who said THill was the worst pick ever?

[mattybfromnc]

Theyre are all in here Bill C... Just read throught he posts.. People wont give the kid time when he has broken and or come cloe to breaking rookie records already... they just foucs on a number that ESPN came up instead of taking that number and his accomplishments to make a educated comment about Tannehill..

[fin4life]

fin4life,

I just see Watt as a more complete player than LT. Not knocking LT, he was one of the most dominant players I've ever seen play at any position. I just see Watt as a guy who can also handle the run very well too. On top of his freakish athleticism, he's also a very smart player too, as evidenced by the crazy number of knockdowns he has this year.

Craig M | October 09, 2012 at 01:36 PM

I thought LT about as complete a player as there was but will give you this. If Watt keeps this up for close to the next decade he will be a 1st ballot HOF player and will go down as one of the best ever. You see great players then you see a once in a generation guy and he is beginning to fir that bill need to see it though for the next 10 Yrs. I loved the post game interview as well were he said he didn't play that great a game and when reminded of his stats said he expected more out of himself.

[We Have RB's]

JJ Watt was taken @ 11 behind some other pretty good players like Von Miller, AJ Green, Patrick Peterson, Julio Jones, & Aldon Smith. It's not like a bunch of scrubs were taken ahead of him. If you look at the first round from last year there are a NUMBER of guys who made the Pro-bowl & a bunch of guys including Pouncey who will eventually make the Pro-Bowl.

[oscar canosa]

It is becoming obvious to me that there are not very many bad Players in the League and yes many bad Coaches.

[ff]

The following are garbage:

Dashi
ESPN
SHannon Sharpe
Joony A

[Mark in Toronto]

Craig, now remembering it was Bill Polian who had that to say about RGIII on prime time with Bob McCown. I think that's what Polian envisioned, same as me - RGIII being an Aaron Rodgers who can run better.

But whatever, I don't care, it's not my problem, Washington can go fukk themselves for all I care.

[BOYCOTT IS ON]

BOYCOTT THE FINS UNTIL IRELAND IS FIRED! WE'RE TIRED OF THE LOSING! HELP MAKE A CHANGE!

[oscar canosa]

I bet you anything that Mark Sanchez in a good QBs Coach's hands will make it to the Pro-Bowl.

[Craig M]

By the way,

Everyone was ready to put Cam Newton in the Hall of Fame last year. Team finished 6-10 lat year and is 1-4 this year. That's 7-14, for those keeping track at home. It's not all on Cam, but when a guy has 4 TD passes and 5 picks and has been sacked as often as he has and he's still doing his Superman act when the team is getting trounced, that doesn't spell franchise QB to me. Worth monitoring.

[odinseye]

My dream date is seeing odin sitting in a kiddie pool filled with baked beans, smoking a cigar & giving me the seductive wink that makes a tingle go up my leg.

Posted by: reality check | October 09, 2012 at 01:19 PM

OMG! Who told you about the Kiddie Poole and the Baked Beans?

It was our old manager wasn't it? He never could keep his mouth shut.

Listen man, I swear.......I was more Baked than the Beans. I was REALLY drunk and the Beans weren't even MY idea.

(PS: Did he mention the balcony and Picnic Table umbrella?)

Sheesh!

[oscar canosa]

Are you timing the # and the timing of the Flips from most everybody here, Paul? Good.

[Craig M]

Mark,

I'm with you on the 'Skins. Bill Polian....LOL. Starting to sound more like Jim 'Shaky' Hunt by the day....RIP.

I still like RGIII. I was just never onside with the huge ransom they gave up. I always liked Tannehill coming out and the price to draft with oh so much more reasonable. I always thought the closest comparison was Locker but he's done so much more than Locker to this point.

Incidentally, 11-3 in the pool this week. Like a dummy I bet against my Dolphins and I wanted to picked the 'Hawks but didn't have the balls to pull the trigger. Still a good week!

[Dashi]

JJ Watt= Bruce Smith

The guy is a beast! The reason Houston wasn't going to sign Mario!

On RG3. Yes, the running around hurts. Dashi's point has always been it is easier to be conservative early, let the player gain confidence in the pocket then let him run around.

Sherm was to conservative week 1 and he paid for it. he has adjusted his play calling,sherm won't admit it. But he has. T-Hill is allowed to roll out and scramble behind the line. Learn to look down field and throw it away! After he masters that and can win from the pocket or from behind the LOS. Then U let him decide when to tuck it in and run on 3rd for a first down!

But by then he is a throw first qb that can run! Not a Run first Qb that can't throw!

RG3 can play in the pocket and so can Cam! But a coach screws them up when they tell them it's OK to run all the time! The qb stops looking down field and looks to run first and pass second. Causes indecision! Cam's current problem! Vicks Permanent Problem! RG3's Future Problem. Would include Tebow but Tebow can't Throw!

Picture how much harder the speed of the game will be for T-Hill if he had the option to run or throw every time he stepped back to pass!

U saw preseason! T-Hill thinks he can dive head first and it's all good! Sherman don't play that!

Believe me if someone wants to see T-$izzle run like the wind It's Dashi! That way the fins and the new Quattro can collectively put it in the NFL's Mouth!!!

P.S. - Sorry .5 for the grammatical errors!

If U need The Dashi to describe .5? Then u sir truly aren't that bright!

[oscar canosa]

A Social dynamics experiment(taking Miami, FL into account, of course). Yessir.

[We Have RB's]

"I thought LT about as complete a player as there was but will give you this. If Watt keeps this up for close to the next decade he will be a 1st ballot HOF player and will go down as one of the best ever. You see great players then you see a once in a generation guy and he is beginning to fir that bill need to see it though for the next 10 Yrs. I loved the post game interview as well were he said he didn't play that great a game and when reminded of his stats said he expected more out of himself."

Fin4Life,

Totally agree with you on LT. He played a different position than Watt but was BY FAR the most dominating OLB & overall one of the most dominating/best players I've ever seen.

I think people need to SLOW down on Watt. Sure he's an absolute beast & he's been playing out of his mind so far this year but before we put him in the HOF let's see him finish his second season first.

There are a NUMBER of players who have ripped the league up in certain years like Jevon Kearse did as a rookie, like Joey Porter did in Miami, like Clay Matthews did a couple of years ago, like JPP did last year, & I remember some guy named Shawne Merriman....It's ALL about consistency.

[fin4life]

JJ Watt was taken @ 11 behind some other pretty good players like Von Miller, AJ Green, Patrick Peterson, Julio Jones, & Aldon Smith. It's not like a bunch of scrubs were taken ahead of him. If you look at the first round from last year there are a NUMBER of guys who made the Pro-bowl & a bunch of guys including Pouncey who will eventually make the Pro-Bowl.

Publicado por: We Have RB's | October 09, 2012 at 01:52 PM

No doubt that was some class last Yr. seems with time there could be a couple of HOF guys in the group with maybe only Jax and Tenn. kicking themselves. My comparison to Taylor was the unique way in which teams had to game plan around him. There was the freakish combination of size and speed like with Watt and above all else a high octane motor that seems to never quit. I think Peppers is a real great player but if Watt can do this for another 7 to 8 Yrs then he moves up to that once in a generational player like Taylor was.

[We Have RB's]

"BOYCOTT THE FINS UNTIL IRELAND IS FIRED! WE'RE TIRED OF THE LOSING! HELP MAKE A CHANGE!"

You're an idiot. We just beat a team that made it to the playoffs last year & we beat them ON THE ROAD.

[Craig M]

WHRBs,

I'm not ready to put Watt in the Hall of Fame right now. I'm just saying he's the most impressive guy coming from that position since a guy like White. Can he keep it up? Don't know. But he's got 8.5 sacks right now and I don't know how many tip balls (a lot). Best five game stretch I can remember in a long time.

[cocoajoe]

fin4life at 01:18 PM: Ron Wolfe did comment one time about drafting a QB every year. I don't know if he meant that literally more like always looking....close enough though and a good policy.

[Dashi]

Thanks for putting Dashi above ESPN on ur list.

Nice to know Dashi always on ur mind and Consistently IYM!

Nice to be appreciated

[odinseye]

A couple of quick thoughts/opinions and it's off to see ONE MORE SPECIALIST(ugh).

Sherman got ran out of College Station. He was uncerimoniously FIRED by the A&M Athletic Director. Leading up to darft day I kept telling myself there is NO WAY Sherman wants Tannehill. In making my argument, I weakly(and unjustly) alluded to Tannehill being the REASON Sherman was fired.

Having said all that, this fact amazes me and reinforces my Newfound Belief and confidence in Tannehill.

**Even AFTER being FIRED** by A&M, Sherman still wanted to bring Tannehill to Miami! This speaks volumes to the amount of CONVICTION Sherman has in Tannehill. All this, even BEFORE Tannehill's PRO-Progress and Good Showing.

Kudos To Mike Sherman!

The second point, Slauson and the tragic scum bag, lowlife cheapshot on Cushing. Slauson completely whiffed on blocking Cushing. At the SECOND LEVEL!

So Slauson turns around and chases Cushing down from BEHIND and CUTS him at the BACK/side of the knee. Cut Blocks are illegal BTW-Whe you're downfield or blocking at the second level.

Slauson should be FINED **AND** SUSPENDED in my honest opinion. It **MIGHT NOT** have been a Saints like Bounty situation. But how is it any different? The low life scum bag was intentionally making an illegal CUT-Block on a Texans Star Player!

Thats my Stories and I'm sticking with IT!

[We Have RB's]

No doubt that was some class last Yr. seems with time there could be a couple of HOF guys in the group with maybe only Jax and Tenn. kicking themselves. My comparison to Taylor was the unique way in which teams had to game plan around him. There was the freakish combination of size and speed like with Watt and above all else a high octane motor that seems to never quit. I think Peppers is a real great player but if Watt can do this for another 7 to 8 Yrs then he moves up to that once in a generational player like Taylor was.

Fin4Life,

If Watt can dominate like this for 7 or 8 years then we're talking HOF for sure. I also think this kid Aldon Smith on SF is an unbelievable talent.

I don't know why but I feel like Jared Allen & Justin Smith who have been 'game wreckers' for years sometimes get overlooked. You always hear about DeMarcus Ware & the sacks are obviously there but it's more than JUST sacks. It's the constant pressure & disruption they cause QB's every week & the need for coaches to game plan around them & always double team. JT was one of those players & now Wake has become one of those players.

[48-Go (formerly Direland)]

I have no affinity towards the Texans, but golly are they loaded on talents. I have a lot of respect for their GM, Rick Smith, who's done one heck of a job scouting and evaluating players. He works very well with Kubiak given their time together at Denver. He's the type of GM I wish we had.

[We Have RB's]

I'm not ready to put Watt in the Hall of Fame right now. I'm just saying he's the most impressive guy coming from that position since a guy like White. Can he keep it up? Don't know. But he's got 8.5 sacks right now and I don't know how many tip balls (a lot). Best five game stretch I can remember in a long time.

Craig,

He's been unstoppable. I think he tipped 6 or 7 balls last night & two of them led to INT's. Now I see why Jake & the offense had so much trouble with him in Week One.

[fin4life]

Craig M / We have RB's,

Don't misunderstand me guys, I clearly said I need to see Watt do this for over a period of a decade before getting the HOF talk going. I mentioned it because Gruden last night happened to bring up that DC Phillips feels he has that talent and at this pace he will. Right now though I will say he's the most dominant young talent I've seen in a while with off the charts ability in all aspects but he has to do this for a decade before I put him on a pedestal.

[FZB]

Hola BOYCOTT IS ON..

This is in response to your post @ 1:55 pm today, I think I've said this about you before but I think is worth repeating..

YOU'RE AN ASS-WIPE.

[oscar canosa]

I'm still amazed at the whole Team courage and effort to the fact that we pulled out a victory. Few know it, but that Game was to turn around our Fortune for the next 5 years, + or -, and, to the whole Team's credit, now in a + way. You know you're Outtasite,,,,,,,

[reality check]

Craig,
He's been unstoppable. I think he tipped 6 or 7 balls last night & two of them led to INT's. Now I see why Jake & the offense had so much trouble with him in Week One.
Posted by: We Have RB's | October 09, 2012 at 02:23 PM

factually incorrect. he deflected 3 or 4 passes and only 1 led to an int.

but, nice try pretending to know what you're talking about.

[Cartman]

God damn it we should be 4-1 god damn it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jay fin]

Whats up with jake long?

[Sammo]

LT was playing jacked up on crack and coke. Of course he was dominant back then. Guys werent the physical freaks they are now. They were mere mortals going up against superman.With roid rage.

[Cartman]

God damn it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cartman]

Screw you gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaz.

Um going.....hooooooooooooome.

[Cartman]

We fvcking should be god damn 4-1 god damn it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cartman]

Screw...

Gaaaaz.

Hoooooome.

[Cartman]

Ok then. While we comin' out in the open. I'm doing acid crack smack coke 'n smokin' dope then.

[Mark in Toronto]

The Texans got their franchise RB undrafted and their QB without spending a 1st round pick. I think they only have 2 first round picks on their offense total (Duane Brown and Andre Johnson). That freed up a bunch of high picks to be used on defense and they are certainly reaping the rewards.

New England is another team with the same luck in finding premier players at premier positions without using top picks. Must be nice to fall upon those hidden gems.

[Zonk]

We'd be 4-1 if the idiot didnt dump Marshall and Davis and got no players in return!

[MiamiD20]

Brady > Tannehill > Fitz = Sanchize. The Sanchize! Lol I remember those days of Jest fans getting all excited for him. Tannehill is actually close to Sanchez. Both started only 1 season in college. Both were raw but athletic. Difference is Tannehill has talent and came from a legit QB school, not USC

[Marc]

Is this a Texans blog? Why are the majority of the posts about Watt? Yeah, he's awesome. So what?

[Marc]

Did you all see Brady whoop up on Manning? Again, who cares?

[Bust-A-Troll --- Reality Check]

hey reality troll wasnt your name capitalized why is it lowercase all of a sudden? Changing names? LOL BUSTED!

[Marc]

How about the Jets and Sanchez are terrible, but they were a few plays away from beating the Texans. If Cromartie caught the pass or the perfect pass from Tebow wasn't deflected. They did much better against the Texans than we did with star players out.

[Cartman]

God damn it I already told you we should be 4-1. Now I expect a modicum of gratitude. And I'll not stop until I receive it. Respect my authoritaaaaah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[oscar canosa]

Only problem is that $ has never been my prime Value since I was born. So, what am I doing living in this Society? Other things.

[Drlove]

Armando, wrong about Tannehill AND still the worst writer in NFL history. Oh, the stories the clandestine hotel rooms could tell of the servicing feats you accomplish to keep your job. Sick, bro.

[Marc]

Stop it. Even if the team was 4-1 what do you think Brady is gonna do to our secondary?

[Scotty]

Zonk, dont forget we got Eggnew for Marshall LOL.