In Year 3, Tannehill looks to take step forward
Ryan Tannehill was barely a teenager when Tom Brady won his first Super Bowl. The 25-year-old Miami Dolphins' quarterback had all the predictable idols growing up, names like Dan Marino, Troy Aikman, Steve Young, Drew Brees and Peyton Manning on the list. And of course, Brady was one he wanted to emulate as well. ''I hate admitting that now, '' Tannehill said, ''just because I am playing against him. ''Their paths collide again Sunday, when Brady and the New England Patriots visit Tannehill and the Dolphins in the regular-season-opener for both teams. It'll be Brady's 220th NFL game; it'll be Tannehill's 33rd.
It's never mano-a-mano, of course, since Tannehill and Brady will never be on the field simultaneously unless something goes horribly wrong with the respective game plans. But it's not a stretch to say that being the other quarterback in a game featuring Brady isn't easy for anyone, whether it's a seasoned veteran or someone entering just his fourth season of being a full-time starter at the college and pro levels. ''I still feel like I'm a young player trying to earn it, '' Brady said. ''I think that's most important. No one really cares what you've done in the past. Certainly my teammates expect me to go out there and be the best I can be. That's what I'm going to try to be for this team and that's what I owe to them. ''
The last time Tannehill was matched up against Brady, the maturation of the Dolphins' QB was obvious. Brady did what Brady does, guiding the new England Patriots on a 73-yard touchdown drive to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. But instead of shrinking in that moment, Tannehill answered with a 60-yard drive of his own and threw a winning touchdown pass with 1: 15 left to give Miami a 24-20 victory. It may have been overall the best game of Tannehill's career: 25 of 37 passing for 312 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, all capped by a two-minute drive worth savoring.
It's never mano-a-mano, of course, since Tannehill and Brady will never be on the field simultaneously unless something goes horribly wrong with the respective game plans. But it's not a stretch to say that being the other quarterback in a game featuring Brady isn't easy for anyone, whether it's a seasoned veteran or someone entering just his fourth season of being a full-time starter at the college and pro levels. ''I still feel like I'm a young player trying to earn it, '' Brady said. ''I think that's most important. No one really cares what you've done in the past. Certainly my teammates expect me to go out there and be the best I can be. That's what I'm going to try to be for this team and that's what I owe to them. ''
The last time Tannehill was matched up against Brady, the maturation of the Dolphins' QB was obvious. Brady did what Brady does, guiding the new England Patriots on a 73-yard touchdown drive to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. But instead of shrinking in that moment, Tannehill answered with a 60-yard drive of his own and threw a winning touchdown pass with 1: 15 left to give Miami a 24-20 victory. It may have been overall the best game of Tannehill's career: 25 of 37 passing for 312 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions, all capped by a two-minute drive worth savoring.
AnthonyBryantok - 10. Sep, 03:29
