Dolphins Have Done Everthing to Improve Tua’s Production
The amount of talent the Miami Dolphins surrounded Tua Tagovailoa with this offseason is long: three wide receivers, counting Erik Ezukanma in the draft, a tackle and a guard, and three new running backs. Tua’s performance now determines how explosive Miami’s offense can be. His production must improve if the team is to make the playoffs this season.
Tua must connect with new receivers Tyreke Hill and Cedrick Wilson. The quarterback and Hill appear to be getting along so far. Hill praised Tua for throwing a very catchable ball. Analysts often call the Dolphins quarterbacks deep ball, his arm into question. How can the offsense take advantage of the speed of not just Hill but Cedrick Wilson and Jaylen Waddle as well? The three receivers, along with tight end Mike Gesicki, have a chance to be the most explosive group Miami has had in a long time. The thinking is that Tua may throw short, he has always been an excellent slant thrower, and that yards after the catch will key the passing offense.
It’s Not All On Tua As Oline and Running Game Are Also Key
The Dolphins needed to add tackle Terron Armstead and guard Connor Williams in free agency. Miami’s offensive line’s pass protection win rate was the worst in the league last year, 47%. Pro Football Focus rated the line worst in the league last year. The line’s struggles forced Tua to get rid of the ball quickly and short. New offensive line coach Matt Applebaum must find a way too improve its pass protection.
The new stable of running backs: Chase Edmonds, Sony Michel, and Raheem Mostert offer protection for Tua, if they are productive, as well. New Head Coach Mike McDaniel coordinated the run game for the San Francisco 49ers. His creativity with their running attack made life easier for Jimmy Garoppolo. Miami finished 30th in yards gained rushing last year. If Miami can find a way to be in the top half of the league in rushing it would help Tua tremendously. Fewer dropbacks, easier play action passes, and less stress overall are a plus for any quarteback.
Dolphins QB Must Filter Out The Noise
The noise and rumors already started for Tua. His deep ball to Tyreke Hill in OTAs prompted much national discussion. Yes, passes with no one pressuring you or anyone in pads do not matter much in the big picture. Any quarterback must straddle the line between confidence and arrogance. Tua must not let the talk about what he has yet to accomplish or prove get to him. Focusing on picking up McDaniel’s playbook and improvement matters more.
If Tua fails to improve the talk of who replaces him only grows louder. At least one national analyst has mentioned that Lamar Jackson may be looking to join the Dolphins next year. Jackson, who has yet sign a long term deal with the Baltimore Ravens, grew up and played high school football in south Florida. He is not Miami’s only option if Tua stumbles this year. The teams two first round draft picks for 2023 may be packaged so that the Dolphins can draft a top quarterback. The pressure is on for Tua to come through. The immediate future of the Dolphins, whether they start over yet again or not at quarterback, depends on it.
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