Pressure On Tua

By: Mike Rifkin

In 2020 the Miami Dolphins selected Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa fifth overall. In two seasons as the starter Tagovailoa has a 66.2 completion percentage, 27 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Tua has been scrutinized because Justin Herbert, who was selected sixth overall, has been great for the Chargers. During last season there was speculation that the Dolphins were exploring a trade for Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Head coach Brian Flores was the one wanting that deal, and after the 2021 season Flores was fired. 

General Manager Chris Grier said at the combine that Tua was their guy and this offseason they have given him all the tools to succeed. The Dolphins hired 49ers offensive coordinator to be the head coach. Mcdaniel comes from the Shannahan coaching tree and if you watched the 49ers offense was about speed and playmakers. 

One area specifically Mcdaniel will help is with the running game. The Dolphins last season averaged 92.2 yards per game rushing which ranked 30th in the NFL. The 49ers 127.4 yards per game rushing which was seventh in the NFL. TTo improve the running game the Dolphins needed to upgrade the offensive line, something that has been said for a long time. And boy did they upgrade the offensive line they brought in Connor Williams from the Cowboys. They also added the top free agent on the market, signing Terron Armstead from the Saints to a big five year contract. Miami knew they had to upgrade the running back position and they brought  in Chase Edmonds from the Cardinals. Edmonds in 2021 averaged 5.1 yards per carry and in his career has averaged 4.7 yard per carry. Edmonds was not the only running back brought in. Mcdaniel brought in Raheem Mostert, a guy he is very familiar with. Mostert tore his ACL during the season opener last year. Mostert in his career has averaged 5.7 yards per carry.   The team designated tight end Mike Gesicki with the franchise tag and Gesicki has signed the tender which means Gesicki and the Dolphins have until July 15th to come to a long term deal. Gesicki had 73 catches for 780 yards and two touchdowns last season, and has been vocal in his support of Tagovailoa. The team also signed  receiver Cedrick Wilson from the Cowboys. Wilson had a breakout 2021 with 45 catches for 602 yards and six touchdowns. And then today the Dolphins traded for Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill. The Dolphins traded this year’s first and second round picks (29 and 50), a fourth round draft pick also this year and a fourth and sixth round picks next year. In his career Hill has 479 catches for 6,630 yards and 56 touchdowns. Hill is arguably the fastest player in the NFL and I imagine Mcdaniel may use him similar to how he used Deebo Samuel in San Francisco. And don’t forget the Dolphins drafted Jaylen Waddle sixth overall last year and all he did was break the rookie record for receptions with 104. He had 1,015 yards and six touchdowns. 

If you take a look around the NFL to help young quarterbacks they get solid receivers to help them develop. Josh Allen got Stefon Diggs, Kyler Murray got Deandre Hopkins, etc… Now Tua has to take that next step and progress as a quarterback because now there are no more excuses. The Front office and coaches have given him everything he can imagine now he has to go out and play well because if he doesn’t Miami is looking for another quarterback next year.