For several decades now, the Miami Dolphins have watched other franchises dominate the NFL while they remain on the sidelines-figuratively and literally. They’ve rarely been serious contenders in over 30 years. Within their own division, they were mere spectators while Tom Brady and Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots reigned supreme. Now, the Dolphins are eager, hopeful, and desperate to change that narrative.
When Tua Tagovailoa entered the league in 2020 as the fifth overall pick in that year’s draft, expectations for the Dolphins soared. It seemed they were finally glimpsing the light at the end of a long tunnel.
And truthfully, the team did improve with Tua’s arrival in Miami. But injuries have plagued his first four years with the team, based in the sun-soaked beaches and warm waters of Florida.
Tua, a great person-but is he a great quarterback?
There’s no doubt that Tua Tagovailoa is a model teammate. He’s a leader on the field, stays out of off-field trouble, and has thrown 73 touchdown passes during his NFL career. Since day one, he’s been an ideal face of the franchise. That much is not in question. What remains to be seen, however, is whether he can fully deliver on the field-something fans, the front office, and the coaching staff are still waiting for.
During The Rich Eisen Show, newly acquired offensive lineman Terron Armstead, who once played alongside Drew Brees, shared his thoughts on Tua’s potential:
I see similarities. I’m not saying they’re the same player or same person, no two people are,” “The anticipation, the accuracy, timing of throws, the ability to knock a wing off a fly repeatedly.
Those guys throw darts. They don’t throw to areas, they are very precise. And that’s an elite talent, it’s an elite trait. Very few people possess (it). He’s one of them and Drew Brees is another.
Tua’s much-needed transformation
Despite the praise that surrounds Tua Tagovailoa, he has yet to emerge as the elite quarterback who can take the Miami Dolphins deep into the postseason.
Inconsistency has haunted him since he entered the league. If it’s not physical injuries, it’s the concussions-far too many for a career still in its early stages.
Tua belongs to the same quarterback class as college standouts like Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers), who have also struggled to make the expected leap to professional stardom.
Now, the pressure is mounting. Tua must prove that his talent is enough to carry the team further, to compete at a high level, and to reach the playoffs with legitimate hopes of making a Super Bowl run-at the very least.
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