Ryan Tannehill believes he's earned the credibility to 'demand excellence' from Dolphins

Ryan Tannehill has already gotten the franchise quarterback money (4 years, $77 million) despite not having led the Miami Dolphins to the playoffs each of his first four years in the league.

But the team's lack of success under Tannehill isn't stopping the 27-year-old from demanding more from his teammates. Tannehill said new coach Adam Gase is empowering him to take more of a leadership role on the team.

"Adam has completely enabled me," Tannehill said, via the Associated Press. "I think I have the credibility now to pretty much demand excellence out of these guys. That's what I'm trying to do."

It will be interesting if Tannehill's teammates feel the same way about the fourth-year quarterback. He's put up some solid numbers -- throwing for 4,208 yards in 2015 -- but has so far fallen short of the lofty expectations when the team drafted him eighth overall in 2012.

Tannehill's message might fall on deaf ears until his productivity on the field matches his impressive salary.