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The final statistics might not show it, but the Miami Dolphins are happy with how rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill progressed this season, writes Anthony Chiang of the Sun Sentinel.
Tannehill finished the season with just 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, but those stats were skewed by the start of the season:
However, as the year went on, Tannehill made progress in that area. Over the final four weeks of the season, he threw five touchdowns and just one interception.
"He made a lot of progress, there's no question about it," head coach Joe Philbin said of Tannehill. "I'm confident with the work ethic that he has and the passion that he has for the game. This kid wants to do well. We're excited about the possibility of improvement."
Tannehill's full stats from this season include a 58 percent completion rate and 3,294 passing yards, a Dolphins rookie record. He started all 16 games for Miami, too, which is also a Dolphins record for a rookie quarterback. He led the team to a 7-9 record, but the offense went silent in the season finale, losing to the New England Patriots, 28-0.
Tannehill was the 8th overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, but he was the third quarterback taken. He followed No. 1 pick Andrew Luck, who went to the Indianapolis Colts, and No. 2 pick Robert Griffin III, who went to the Washington Redskins.