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Miami Dolphins coach Joe Philbin: Ryan Tannehill had accuracy, timing issues vs. Raiders

 
 

Quarterback Ryan Tannehill in warmups before the game with the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens on Sept. 16, 2012.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill in warmups before the game with the Miami Dolphins and Oakland Raiders at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens on Sept. 16, 2012.
Joe Rimkus Jr. / Staff Photo
WEB VOTE Which running back was most impressive last weekend: Reggie Bush or Duke Johnson?

bjackson@MiamiHerald.com

Though Ryan Tannehill played effectively in Sunday’s victory against Oakland, coach Joe Philbin made clear that his rookie quarterback needs to improve in several areas.

“There are a lot of things he needs to work on,” Philbin said, citing a “lull at the end of the second quarter” when the Dolphins had three consecutive three-and-outs.

“We hit a stretch there that he was a part of. He’s got to do better. There were a couple accuracy issues, a couple timing issues. There were one or two [plays] in the pocket … that he could have done a little better job, maybe slid his feet a little better.”

But there were also plenty of positives on a day Tannehill completed 18 of 30 passes for 200 yards with a touchdown pass, a touchdown run, no interceptions and a 91.0 rating.

“The thing I like about him is: Let’s be honest — he’s had some tough stretches in both games, [but] he battled back in the second half of both games and showed some resiliency,” Philbin said.

“He threw the ball well on the move. [That’s] an added dimension — if you can move the quarterback around in the pocket, against great pass-rushers, it’s a great benefit. [Generally], he threw the ball accurately.”

Offensive coordinator Mike Sherman said the one negative with designed quarterback rollouts is “you cut the field in half. You do limit yourself.”

Odds and ends

• Cornerback Richard Marshall did not play in the second half because of discomfort in his back but said Monday he feels fine and “I’m playing Sunday” against the Jets.

• In postgame video posted on the Dolphins’ website, Philbin told his team: “When we don’t turn the ball over on offense, we’re going to be mighty tough to beat.”

• Philbin had a good line about how well wide receiver Brian Hartline has played despite missing most of the offseason organized team activities [OTAs] because of a calf injury and an appendectomy and most of training camp with the calf injury.

“I can’t say anything good, because then I’ll have nobody here for OTAs,” Philbin said. “He’s made a nice contribution.”

• Philbin said “our tackling is still not where it should be relative to the amount of time we spend on it.”

• Philbin said he doesn’t speak too much to his coordinators during games, except during timeouts.

“I whined a little bit in the first half, and they told me to keep quiet,” he said. “You don’t want a lot of interference. I have total faith in the guys we have calling the game.”

• Philbin said Sherman “called an excellent game.” Sherman said his wife asked him, “Where’s the flea flicker?” and “Where’s the halfback pass from [ Reggie Bush] to Hartline?”

• Jets coach Rex Ryan was noncommittal about whether All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis will be available Sunday against the Dolphins. He missed Sunday’s loss to Pittsburgh with a mild concussion.

“To the NFL standards, he has to pass tests,” Ryan said. “He looks to be doing well, so hopefully he’ll be playing.”

• The Dolphins will prepare for the likelihood of Tim Tebow getting some snaps, but the Jets have used him only for 12 plays in two games — 11 behind center, one at H-back.

He did not attempt a pass against Pittsburgh and ran for 22 yards on his only rushing attempt. Challenged by New York reporters about Tebow’s lack of use, Ryan was defensive Monday, saying, “We determine that, OK?”

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