The X-factor in Tua Tagovailoa’s Week 1 availability for Dolphins

The X-factor in Tua Tagovailoa’s Week 1 availability for Dolphins

There’s no better way to stir up a group of Miami Dolphins fans than to ask them when they think 2020 1st-round pick Tua Tagovailoa should hit the field of the Miami Dolphins. There seem to be two staunch groups — the redshirt year supporters and the “hold nothing back” supporters. The dilemma for the Dolphins is clear: if you believe in Tua and he gives you a better chance to win than Ryan Fitzpatrick, should he not start right away? But if he does, what risk do you put him at with his durability questions.

Fox Sports’ Nick Wright, for example, recently took to the air and suggested that the Dolphins’ quarterback competition will be “uncompetitive” and that Tagovailoa will be the man in Miami (health willing).

There are no easy answers, but fortunately we have plenty of time to sift through all of the variables at play. But if the Dolphins were to get to a point where they felt comfortable with Tagovailoa taking the field, the biggest X-factor and hurdle to be cleared would need much more clarity than it currently has. And that variable has nothing to do with Tagovailoa’s repaired hip or his ability to process a playbook.

It is the group that will be playing in front of him along the line.

The Dolphins are currently slated to have 4 new starters along their offensive line in 2020 and are effectively guaranteed to have no fewer than 3. If the Dolphins are going to introduce a rookie quarterback to their backfield to play under Chan Gailey, the offensive line better undergo a magical transformation from a brand new squad to having the chemistry of a well oiled machine. Because no matter how good Tagovailoa is, there are going to be growing pains — and having lapses in the offensive line play in front of him is a surefire way to put the Dolphins’ new prized possession into harm’s way.

So if you’re banking on Tagovailoa starting early on, that offensive line had better come together quickly. If not, don’t count on seeing Miami’s future put into a position to take extra excessive hits.