Anytime I mention Dolphins quarterback ProFootballFocus.com) and least valuable run games in the league (leading rusher Lamar Miller ranked 29th in Rushing NEP among running backs with over 150 carries last year).
So why can’t he improve yet again in 2014?
A Lazor Show
Enter Bill Lazor, a certified quarterback guru from the accredited Chip Kelly ‘Blur’ School. Lazor will assume the mantle of offensive coordinator for the Dolphins this year after a major success implementing the fast-paced Oregon offense into the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013. To put in context how drastically Philadelphia’s offense changed with the arrival of Kelly and Lazor, the table below depicts the Eagles’ Adjusted NEP between 2012 and 2013.
| Year | Pass/Rush Ratio | Adj. Passing NEP | Rank | Adj. Rushing NEP | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1.62 | -46.78 | 27th | -38.39 | 29th |
| 2013 | 1.11 | 70.04 | 9th | 55.97 | 1st |
This kind of NEP takes into account each player on the team’s contributions and adjusts the totals for the strength of the defenses faced. One can easily see that there was a massive resurgence in offensive value with the 2013 regime in Philly, but the league rankings make it clear just how much changed. In 2012, the Eagles ranked 27th in Adjusted Passing NEP and 29th in Adjusted Rushing NEP. In 2013, that shot up to ninth and first, respectively.
Bear in mind, this transition occurred without many massive personnel changes (they had essentially the same offensive line both years, and LeSean McCoy was their rusher in that dark season), excepting the advent and growth of a one Mr. Nick Foles. Foles, the Eagles quarterback, blossomed under Lazor’s tutelage in 2013, in a system custom-fit to his and his team’s strengths.
Stand and Deliver
Lazor’s kind of personalization and attention to ways to take pressure off the quarterback should greatly aid Tannehill in making a huge leap forward this year. From Tannehill’s own performance, it’s clear that his personal talent is advancing on its own, and was growing under a system that didn’t fit the pieces it had to work with. Now we get to see a chess grandmaster work with him and utilize his skills in the best way possible.
The blocking concepts Lazor brings over from Philadelphia should benefit a less-than-stellar line in keeping their oft-battered quarterback on his feet. Given the results with the 2013 Eagles, there will likely be a greater emphasis on the run. This, however, will also help to draw attention away from Tannehill and allow him to thrive in a fast-paced system. We may not see much more volume from Ryan Tannehill this year, but I expect his passing quality and efficiency to jump sky high, as his success finally takes off.