Ryan Tannehill's confidence & comfort level growing at the right time

Ryan Tannehill has been growing and evolving over the past several weeks and it couldn't have started to come at a better time with the Miami Dolphins right in the thick of the AFC playoff race. In fact, he's been getting so comfortable in the offense that he completed his fifth consecutive game where he completed more than 70 percent of his passes.

“Well it’s a lot of hard work on him and the players around him that work," Joe Philbin said. "We’ve been talking a lot about being detailed in everything we are doing, especially in the passing game to me is always about the spacing, timing, the rhythm and the trust that the quarterback knows exactly where his receivers are going to be so he could let the ball out because as you know he doesn’t have all day to sit back there and determine where to go with the football. I think a lot of those things, I think it’s Ryan is throwing the ball better. I think his receivers are helping him better. I think at times the protection has been better too. That’s certainly something we need to keep working on too.”

Philbin said that he senses that Tannehill feels better when he comes off the field and has a good command of what he's doing when he's out there. Bill Lazor echoed Philbin and said that Tannehill's comfort level has improved greatly since the day he first met him in the offseason.

“I think his confidence is better. I think the team’s confidence in him is better. I think it’s nothing different than probably what you see, which is probably why you asked the question. I, believe it or not, expect it to keep getting better.”

In regards to comparing this year to last year, Philbin said that the process has been gradual and steady.  

“I think it has kind of been like a gradual process. I think number one he’s an extremely hard worker. He’s devoted a lot of time this offseason every single week in his game preparation. The guy has a strong work ethic, number one. He’s very prepared when he steps on the field. I think he is starting to develop a good rapport with his receivers. Our offensive line has performed better. I think our protection is better than it was a year ago. I think when you add those things up, he’s throwing the ball more accurately and more decisively. I think he’s been better himself.”

This was a big year for Tannehill and he has come out and proved the doubters wrong. He has certainly done enough to deserve another contract in Miami and will look to continue to improve every time he steps on the field.

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