In the third year of the Brian Flores era, the Miami Dolphins struggled mightily through the first half of the season before adjusting and re-establishing their winning ways.
Those first eight games had a lot of people questioning Flores’ future as well as the future of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. With the team losing games and rumors swirling daily about Deshaun Watson, fans and media alike were left to wonder if the two men who were leading the team would be around much longer.
Through all of this, everyone has shared their opinion on the pair, including former Dolphins cornerback Patrick Surtain who was asked to give his thoughts about the coach and quarterback in an interview with Time2Play.
“I’m a Tua fan,” Surtain said of Tagovailoa. “I’m a little biased with our Alabama connection. I’ve seen this kid do it, he has some unique traits. He might not have the strongest arm, but his anticipation is amazing. He needs his core receivers back, he hasn’t had his full unit around him in two years. The Dolphins want to see that too before making a long-term decision on him. He has a great work ethic and I’m a big fan.”
This past week against the Giants was just the third game this year that Tagovailoa, DeVante Parker, and Jaylen Waddle all played a majority of the game, and they won two of them. Surtain seems to have similar feelings to a lot of Dolphins fans on the quarterback, and he seems to be a fan of the coach as well.
“I think he’s the man to lead them forward,” Surtain said about Flores. “This is such a fickle business. You can win 10 games one year, and if you fall below those standards the next year you’re gone. I think they need a big-time running back, keep those receivers fit and healthy. They have to keep pushing- the main thing is stability and the ownership should give him a chance. Give him a couple years to get things together.”
In three seasons, Brian Flores has a 21-24 record, but he seems to get a lot out of players. From what they’ve said in interviews and press conferences, everyone in the building loves playing for the guy. If the Dolphins give him time, Flores can be a good coach in the league. And, if he has the support of a Dolphins legend, he must be doing something right.
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