Should Ryan Tannehill play or sit?

[CF DolFan]

What say you guys? I saw this poll this morning and thought ...  hmmm that's a good question. Seeing as how we have already played 4 is there really a need for him to play more?

By James Walker | ESPN.com


MIAMI -- The Miami Dolphins are entering their fifth and final game of the preseason Thursday against the New Orleans Saints. Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin has been coy about playing time for the starters, but the most important question surrounds Miami's quarterback.

Should the Dolphins play Ryan Tannehill this week? The second-year quarterback has four preseason games under his belt. But Tannehill is still a young player who needs reps.

Miami will travel to play the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 8. If Tannehill sits, that could lead to rust before the first regular-season game. Should Tannehill play at least a couple of series?

Or is the injury risk too much for Tannehill? We've seen quarterback injuries already this year in the AFC East to Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets and Kevin Kolb and EJ Manuel of the Buffalo Bills. Are the Dolphins better off playing it safe this week with Tannehill?

http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/63891/poll-should-ryan-tannehill-play-or-sit

[Fau Teixeira]

play a series or two . get off the field mid-way through the 1st quarter and call it a night

[Landshark]

Dave said it best in another thread.  I totally agree with this statement:

Normally, with 4 preseason games, you see:
1) Starters for about two drives.
2) Starters for about three drives.
3) Starters for a full half, halftime adjustments, then one drive in the 3rd quarter.
4) MAYBE one drive, and it's a half-assed one.

I say let Tanny play one drive to stay sharp, then take him out.  It's the final preseason game and no need to risk starters getting hurt.  This is a time for the guys who might or might not survive the final cut to show why they should be kept around.

[Brian Fein]

I say let him sit.  He has nothing to gain and everything to lose.  Let Moore and Devlin take care of it.  Hell, I'd let Daniel Thomas play QB if he wanted to give it a crack.  I'd almost consider signing a guy just to play this game, and then cutting him.

[Doc-phin]

I say play a little (one series).  He isn't so awesome that we need to protect him at all costs.  He is young and could use a few reps at game speed to stay sharpe.

[el diablo]

Sit him & all known week 1 starters.

[Thundergod]

I say let him sit.  He has nothing to gain and everything to lose.  Let Moore and Devlin take care of it.  Hell, I'd let Daniel Thomas play QB if he wanted to give it a crack.  I'd almost consider signing a guy just to play this game, and then cutting him.

+1

[Dolphster]

I say let him sit.  He has nothing to gain and everything to lose.  Let Moore and Devlin take care of it.  Hell, I'd let Daniel Thomas play QB if he wanted to give it a crack.  I'd almost consider signing a guy just to play this game, and then cutting him.

Given what happened to Dustin Keller, I agree.  I'd be okay with all starters sitting in the final pre-season game.  They had their "dress rehearsal" (I hate that term) game last week. 

[MikeO]

sit ......they have had 4 preseason games already for crying out loud, playing in a 5th is asking for trouble. It's begging for trouble!

[Brian Fein]

There is nothing to learn from 1st or 2nd string players.  The only benefit to this game is for bubble players to get shoved one way or the other.  Let the bubble players play the entire game.  Everyone else should sit.

[Landshark]

There is nothing to learn from 1st or 2nd string players.  The only benefit to this game is for bubble players to get shoved one way or the other.  Let the bubble players play the entire game.  Everyone else should sit.

Normally I would agree with this statement, but Tannehill is still developing.  In this case, I would put him in for one drive so he's not too rusty come opening day.

[MikeO]

Normally I would agree with this statement, but Tannehill is still developing.  In this case, I would put him in for one drive so he's not too rusty come opening day.

Uh, no that is beyond silly.  And being rusty?? Give me a break they have been on the field every day since July for crying out loud he will hardly be rusty! 1 drive....that is like Rex playing Sanchez in the 4th quarter of a preseason game behind a backup o-line when he is your starter! That 1 drive is utterly meaningless and not worth the risk.

[Brian Fein]

you're worried about your starting QB being rusty for a game that is less than 2 weeks away?  They have more time off during a bye week.  Oh my, how do all the players not get rusty during bye weeks? 

Don't be ridiculous.  Tannehill isn't going to learn anything from playing 1 drive.

[Landshark]

Uh, no that is beyond silly.  And being rusty?? Give me a break they have been on the field every day since July for crying out loud he will hardly be rusty! 1 drive....that is like Rex playing Sanchez in the 4th quarter of a preseason game behind a backup o-line when he is your starter! That 1 drive is utterly meaningless and not worth the risk.

There's a difference between the 4th quarter and the 1st quarter.  There is also a difference between practice and game situations. 

[Diehard_Dolfan]

Makes no sense to play him in this game!   All it takes is one mistake to hurt him... and to have it come in a meaningless game is stupid!   You get guys hurt in this game and it could effect your season early on... while most teams are mostly healthy you'd be starting behind the eight ball.