The Miami Dolphins have committed to Tua Tagovailoa as their starting quarterback in 2021, but not everyone on the team is happy about it.
Armando Salguero, columnist for the Miami Herald, spoke to three anonymous Dolphins players about Tagovailoa and the organization’s decision to name him the starter for 2021, and they expressed doubts about Tagovailoa’s overall talent and his ability to develop into what the team needs to be: a top-level quarterback.
Concern started during training camp
According to Salguero, the three players he spoke to – who remained anonymous because they said Dolphins’ coaches’ demand ‘that they never show concern to the media – agree that Tagovailoa is an excellent teammate. But that doesn’t automatically translate to talent on the field, and what they’ve seen this season has made them worry that he doesn’t need to increase his game.
It started during training camp, when the three players were so “unimpressed” by Tagovailoa that “they thought he would not be ready to play in 2020.” To be fair to Tagovailoa, he came to the training camp eight months after the hip surgery. He was approved for full, unlimited training at the end of July, five to six weeks before the start of the season, and was not named as the starter in the first week. .
The three players were “completely caught off guard” when full-back Ryan Fitzpatrick was named before week 8 and Tagovailoa was named as the starter in the future. Several told Salguero they were frustrated when they were told Fitzpatrick was unavailable for their important Week 17 game against the Buffalo Bills. The Dolphins had to win the game to get into the playoffs, and at least one player thought Fitzpatrick had to start the game (losing 56-26) instead of Tagovailoa.
“We always think the next man no matter what,” the player said. “But I saw Tua as the next man, because Fitz was better.”
Doubts about Tua’s future
The 2020 season was just Tagovailoa’s first as a pro, and he has mastered a total of nine times. His future is completely unwritten. But one player told Salguero that he is not sure Tagovailoa has the ability to improve to the level he needs to be at to make the Dolphins truly competitive.
… the players also say that they do not see a special feature in Tagovailoa’s skill that is above his accuracy.
One defensive player said he was not impressed with Tagovailoa’s ball speed or arm strength or the ability to play off-court with his legs. Therefore, he finally asks if Tagovailoa will ever be able to match the achievements of other AFC backs, such as Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes or Deshaun Watson.
“These are the boys we have to beat, right?” said this player. “It currently looks like it’s going to be a big challenge.”
Salguero only spoke to three players and said it is not known if other players feel the same way. And it is quite possible that Tagovailoa could make great progress in 2021 and prove these players wrong. But until he does, questions about his future and overall ability will not go away.
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