Today is a big first for the Miami Dolphins: the team has welcomed fans to Baptist Health Training Complex for the first time and is currently hosting public practice for the masses. The first look from the public to the Dolphins’ 2021 team and new training facility has generated an impressive environment in Miami Gardens; there is a clear level of excitement present for today’s festivities.
And Miami Dolphins quarterback made sure to inject a little extra juice into the air with a pre-practice address of the fans in attendance. The short exchange is just the latest example of Tagovailoa stepping up and embracing a bigger, more prominent leadership role with the team in his second season; he appears mentally ready to own the moment and the opportunity that is being afforded to him by the Dolphins in 2021.
.@Tua addressed the fans ahead of our first public practice of Training Camp!
đź“Ť @BaptistHealthSF Training Complex pic.twitter.com/E728lbWCN2
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) July 31, 2021
Leadership and command of his offense and the opportunity won’t guarantee Tagovailoa will silence the doubt that has been cast his direction all offseason, but it sure would be a great start to reinforce that the former Alabama quarterback is mentally ready for the rigors of being a franchise quarterback. Furthermore, showing that he’s ready to face these kinds of challenges and skepticism head on instead of shying away from adversity can inject more optimism of what Tagovailoa’s final form will look like at quarterback.
But for today, it’s clear that Tagovailoa’s message has achieved its goal: Dolphins fans are electric at today’s public practice as they help break in the new training facility for the first time.