Ryan Tannehill to start for the Miami Dolphins tonight, why stop there?

Early this morning, I received an email from the Miami Dolphins front office which confirmed that Ryan Tannehill will start tonight against the Carolina Panthers. I say, why not. Why not start Ryan Tannehill tonight and every game this season. Why did the team draft him eighth overall? In order to sit behind David Garrard and Matt Moore? Put him in the game.

The Miami Dolphins have trotted out a litany of possible replacements for Dan Marino after he retired. The quarterback position in Miami has been less than secure. In Marino’s second season with the Dolphins, he posted a 5,084 yard record which stood for 27 seasons until Drew Brees shattered the record this year while playing under very different pass coverage rules.

Miami used their number eight pick in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft in order to select Tannehill, why not use him? I understand that Dolphins faithful are frustrated with the team, and only the hardcore, bandwagon homer would aspire to the fact that this version of the franchise has any aspirations of advancing to the playoffs in 2012. This season appears to be another 6-win season for Miami.

All is not lost however. Miami heads into the 2012 campaign under a new coaching regime with rookie head coach Joe Philbin at the helm. I have to say that I have been impressed with Philbin early on with the Dolphins. Obviously, Philbin was not the Dolphins first choice as head coach, but I believe it was a solid selection for a franchise which has struggled to get back online in the NFL while fans question the moves made by the front office.

Why not start Ryan Tannehill from week one of the regular season? What would he be protected from by sitting on the sidelines while Matt Moore starts the year? The new coaching staff has saddled up to Tannehill, why not throw him out there in week one? Andrew Luck was very impressive in his debut for the Indianapolis Colts, RGIII was solid. Last year, Cam Newton re-wrote the record books for rookie quarterbacks.

Perhaps Ryan Tannehill won’t achieve superstar status in his first season with the Dolphins, but if you draft a quarterback with the number eight spot, under a new coaching regime, you have to have a plan in place. Why not roll him out and get used to the NFL game. He looked impressive against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week with a 14 of 21 for 167 yard performance. If he comes close to that tonight, then he needs to start for the Dolphins in 2012. There should be no debate.