Ryan Tannehill 'excited' to be 'part of game-plan process' with new OC
Bill Lazor was supposed to facilitate Ryan Tannehill's ascension to franchise-quarterback status. Instead, he's out of a job.
By
Ryan Wilson
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Bill Lazor was supposed to facilitate Ryan Tannehill's ascension to franchise-quarterback status. Instead, he's out of a job; the Dolphins fired Lazor as the offensive coordinator this week after neither the offense nor Tannehill showed much consistency through an up-and (mostly)-down 12 weeks.
And Tannehill couldn't sound more pleased.
“I’m just excited about being part of the game plan,” Tannehill said, via ESPN.com. “Working with the coaches Monday and [Tuesday], just being a part of the game-plan process and having my thoughts heard and kind of putting our heads together to create some of the things we want to do, it’s been fun so far.”
Lazor arrived in Miami after a successful stint with Chip Kelly and the Eagles. (Remember when that offense was innovative and explosive? Good times.) Unfortunately, there wasn't much carryover; the Dolphins' offense ranks a middle-of-the-road 16th, according to Football Outsiders' metrics, and is 23rd in the passing game.
Back in May 2014, a few months after Lazor was hired, here's how he explained what his expectations were for Tannehill and this offense: “I want to see the ball coming out on time, letting his football tell him when it's time to throw it, and I want to see that he trusted us that this is how it all fits together. The quarterback has got to play at game speed every day in practice. The receivers will catch up to him."
There was little of that, especially this season.
Next up: Zac Taylor, Lazor's replacement, who also happened to be Tannehill's quarterback coach in Miami and Texas A&M. Tannehill expects to have more input in the offense for the rest of the season, though beyond that it's unclear what the coaching staff will look like (head coach Joe Philbin was fired two months ago).
"Well, it's an adjustment," Tannehill said of the coaching changes. "So obviously there is some change. But I'm excited about the changes we're making and the possibility about what we can do."
As it stands, the Dolphins are 4-7, in last place in the AFC East, and seven spots out of the wild card.
