Cardinals ready for rookie Tannehill
Sep 28, 2012, 12:27 AM | Updated: 6:05 pm
Despite only playing in three career games, Ryan Tannehill has already made quite a name for himself in the NFL.
The problem for the No. 8 overall pick out Texas A&M in 2012, is that most of his notoriety stems from topics off the field.
From his very public wife to his starring role in HBO’s widely-popular Hard Knocks to winning the Dolphins’ starting quarterback job just weeks into training camp, Tannehill’s introduction to the league was far from a quiet one.
On the field, the rookie quarterback has been a mixed bag in Miami. Despite completing more than 50 percent of his passes, Tannehill has struggled to get the Dolphins into the end zone, throwing one touchdown to go along with four interceptions and the league’s worst passer rating.
While the 24-year-old will surely face the stiffest test of his young career against the Cardinals’ defense on Sunday, don’t expect Tannehill’s upcoming opponent to take him too lightly.
“We know this guy coming in is a young guy, but he has looked good on film,” safety Kerry Rhodes said of Tannehill on Arizona Sports 620’s Big Red Rage. “He makes a lot of the right reads, so I have been impressed with him.”
Although the Dolphins come in with a 1-2 record, Tannehill has impressed from the composure standpoint. Of the five rookie quarterbacks currently starting in the NFL, the Dolphins’ young gun has been sacked the fewest times (4).
“They have done a good job of protecting him,” said Rhodes. “And he has done well. But, we just have to keep doing what we are doing.”
In terms of facing rookie quarterbacks, the Cardinals have not fared tremendously well in recent years. Dating back to 2010, the team is just 3-3, losing games against Sam Bradford, Jimmy Clausen and Andy Dalton.
Arizona Sports 620’s Kyndra de St. Aubin contributed to this report
