Tua Tagovailoa: Carolina Panthers
If Burrow cannot benefit from the passing game coordinator who aided him in the rise to the top of the quarterback board, perhaps the QB that Burrow supplanted there can.
The health status of Tua Tagovailoa was one of the dominant storylines of the combine last week. Anytime the Alabama quarterback moved, members of the media and perhaps even some NFL scouts were at the ready with their phones, recording his gait and then analyzing it for evidence of a limp or any lingering effects from his hip and ankle injuries.
Provided his medical evaluations check out, Tagovailoa is a very solid prospect between the lines. His quick release, accuracy and ability to throw defenders to space is very impressive. In addition, despite the history of lower body injuries he is also a very athletic quarterback, who can extend plays with his legs and break defenses down with his feet when those opportunities arise.
Tagovailoa’s strengths as a quarterback mesh well with what Brady does schematically. Given his time in New Orleans under Sean Payton, it should come as no surprise that Brady’s offense last year in LSU was filled with West Coast elements. In addition, Brady worked in run/pass option elements that worked to stress defenses from sideline-to-sideline, and create opportunities for LSU’s receivers such as Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase to pull in throws with space to work after the catch.
These are elements that Steve Sarkisian brought to Alabama when he took over as the offensive coordinator for the Crimson Tide. For a great look at how Sarkisian incorporates RPO structures into his offenses, you can check out this six-minute video from Coaches Insider.
Tagovailoa’s experience with these designs, plus his quick thinking and snap release, make him a perfect fit for what we anticipate Brady’s NFL offense to be.