Questions about where starting quarterbacks rank is standard fodder during the NFL offseason. Over-evaluation of young quarterbacks is even more prevalent with a plethora of still-developing signal-callers dominating the NFL landscape.
Our most recent example comes from CBS' Jason La Canfora, who wrote Friday about the Miami Dolphins' current turbulence.
Ryan Tannehill's uneven season was one point of focus. Citing unnamed candidates for the Dolphins' general manager position (ultimately filled by Dennis Hickey), La Canfora reports that Joe Philbin will demand more from Tannehill and that the coach stated his faith in veteran Matt Moore.
"He definitely wants to push Tannehill more," said one source who spoke to Philbin about the quarterbacks, according to La Canfora. "And if he doesn't see improvement he said he might go to Moore at some point. He definitely has a lot of faith in Moore, and they're paying him a lot of money."
While Moore is a capable backup with a $4 million salary in 2014, it would take Tannehill crumbling Matt Schaub-style for the Dolphins to move on from the young quarterback.
Moore clearly is not the future, while Philbin's fate appears all but tied to Tannehill's progress.
With former offensive coordinator Mike Sherman out the door and new OC Bill Lazor (who was credited with helping Nick Foles emerge in Philadelphia last season) at the helm, Tannehill should be given every chance to succeed next season.
Tannehill ended last season ranked No. 14 on Gregg Rosenthal's esteemed QB Index. Even while getting pummeled behind a poor offensive line, the 25-year-old displayed glimpses of progress and showed an ability to make big throws. His is not a train to jump off at the first sign of trouble.
Every team wants its young quarterback pushed to become better. Good ones don't promote stopgaps when the chosen one struggles.
In the latest "Around The League Podcast," the guys ponder the future in both Seattle and Denver and break down the teams that intrigue them most this offseason.
