Ryan Tannehill was worth the investment for the Dolphins

Franchise Direction

Since Dan Marino retired in 1999, the Miami Dolphins have been a franchise without a public face. They have had brief periods of success, but have never possessed the kind of team-defining, needle-moving stud to rally around.

This offseason they signed Ndamukong Suh to a gigantic contract to help remedy that situation. The problem is that Suh’s past is littered with on and off-field incidents, which makes it impossible for him to be the face of any NFL franchise. The Dolphins needed someone they could market other than Suh, who is widely regarded as the dirtiest player in the league.

Tannehill is a young, good-looking quarterback, the kind of guy a team can build a marketing campaign around. He and his wife Lauren could become the First Couple of Miami if the Dolphins showcase them properly.

For years the Dolphins have been a franchise without any direction or leadership. Like Jaqen H’ghar, they have been truly faceless. By giving Tannehill an extension they have finally found a guy whom they can build around, and have added stability unseen in South Florida for years. Now the key will be fostering his further growth and continuing to surround him with skilled players.

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