If you’ve been following Tua Tagovailoa’s journey from Tuscaloosa to Miami, then you’ve been aware that one of the biggest questions in the NFL has continued to be, “is Tua healthy enough to start game 1 this season for the Dolphins?”
Tagovailoa has continued to express to fans, coaches, and teammates that he’s 100% healthy and ready to go.
In July, Tua Tagovailoa spoke with USA Today’s Chris Bumbaca, and had this to say:
“I’d say I’m ready to go. 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.
But that doesn’t mean he’ll be starting in game one for the Dolphins.
For many reasons.
Miami Dolphins’ coach Brian Flores shared how all three quarterbacks are improving:
“All three guys are really competing. It’s a new offense, so the terminology and cadences — I think they’re all picking it up quickly and making good decisions, for the most part.
That’s something that we’ve kind of harped on constantly, making good decisions — smart decisions — whether it’s throwing the ball downfield or checking the ball down or picking up the yardage for a first down. When we get into our two-minute situations, getting us completions, getting us into field goal range rather than going for the big throw. At the same time, we won’t be a check down team the entire season, either.
All three guys are coming along fairly well. Hopefully, we just continue on that trajectory.”
When it comes to Tagovailoa, Flores had this to say directly:
“Obviously, he’s coming off the hip [injury]. He’s looked good thus far, from that standpoint physically. As far as how he’s looked the first few days, some good, some bad. Lots to improve upon. Some good throws, some good decisions, some throws that aren’t so good, some not-so-good decisions.”
At this point, Fitzpatrick seems to have the best odds to start.
Not only has he improved. but he also has experience.
Although Tagovailoa went 13-for-13 on pass attempts during 11-on-11 drills over three days, none of them were for over 20 yards.
That’s understandable considering he’s still recovering, rehabbing, and getting into the swing of things.
But going into game one, at this point, it looks as though Ryan Fitzpatrick is the starter.
This doesn’t mean that Tagovailoa won’t eventually take over as starter during the season.
After all, Fitzpatrick himself knows that his time as a starting quarterback is short lived.
During an online press conference at the Dolphins’ training camp earlier this month, Fizpatrick was very open about his role in Miami this season:
“I don’t know how much time it will be before Tua will be in the lineup. I know that I am the placeholder. We’ve already had that conversation. I’ve told him, ‘I’m going to do the best I can to lead this team and win football games when I’m out there.’ Whenever it is that Tua gets his chance whether it’s early or late or whenever, I’m going to be his biggest cheerleader.”
Fitzpatrick even made it clear that he was very glad the Dolphins drafted Tagovailoa:
“I have a unique perspective just from the career that I’ve had. I was excited that they drafted him. Since meeting him in person the other day, I’m really excited. I think we really hit it off. Even though I’m an old geezer to him, I think we meshed personality-wise and I’m excited to work with him.”
This season will be an incredible one to watch for many reasons.
After the Dolphins announced that Tua was not being placed on the PUP list and would be able to practice, excitement continued to build around the Dolphins franchise as they hope Tagovailoa can be the quarterback they’ve been hoping and wishing for, for many years.
Last season, Tagovailoa threw for 2,840 yards, 33 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.
In his career at Alabama, Tagovailoa racked up 7,442 yards passing, 87 TDs and 11 INTs.
Tagovailoa was drafted by the Miami Dolphins as the fifth pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.
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