If Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has his way, Dolphins fans everywhere will be quick to forget about the durability concerns that dogged him throughout the second half of his college career with the Alabama Crimson Tide. A popular debate regarding Tagovailoa is his ability to endure the wear and tear of a 16 game season — especially after a dislocated hip ended his 2019 college season prematurely.
But for as impressive as Tagovailoa’s college career was with the Tide, his rehabilitation from his injury may be even more impressive — Tagovailoa held a throwing session ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft and, now, has declared himself “ready to go” for 2020 while talking with USA Today’s Chris Bumbaca.
“I’d say I’m ready to go,” said Tagovailoa via Bumbaca. “It’s kind of those things where you start getting the itch to get back out on the field, to be able to compete. It’s going to be a new setting, so that’s what’s even more exciting.”
Indeed, South Florida will be a far cry from the confines of Tuscaloosa, where Tagovailoa has served in a starring role for the past two and a half seasons. In Miami, the young passer will be facing a whole new challenge — filling the void left behind center by Dan Marino for the last two decades. When asked how Tagovailoa hopes to integrate himself into the landscape in Miami, he seemed to indicate he’s not going to get too far ahead of himself.
“I think the way I stay myself is, I just go out there and do whatever I can to help the team,” said Tagovailoa. “If helping the team looks like me being on the sideline and telling (Ryan Fitzpatrick) what I’ve seen, then that’s what it is. Or whoever the quarterback is out there.”
One thing we do know is it won’t be long before Dolphins fans are clamoring to see Tagovailoa behind center. And, if he is indeed “ready to go” for 2020, it probably won’t be long before Dolphins fans get their wish.