Five Takeaways from Brian Flores (Including Tua Cleared)

Earlier today, Brian Flores spoke with the media about QB Tua Tagovailoa, Covid-19, and the 2020 NFL season.

As players and coaches return to team facilities, one thing is clear. The beginning of the 2020 NFL season is officially upon us.

That’s right, folks.

Football is back.

And in an offseason without preseason, open practices, and other football activities–it’s going to be challenging to get a real grasp of this team and roster. This means we will have to rely heavily on the media and interviews with the players and coaches to dissect what is truly going on with this team.

So, today when Dolphins’ head coach Brian Flores met with South Florida media. Many were listening. What would the leader of the Miami Dolphins have to say about the many issues heading into the 2020 season? Covid-19? His rookie quarterback?

Here are five takeaways from Brian Flores press conference 

Takeaway #1

What coach said:

Tua is not on PUP.

Brian Flores says Tua, over the next weeks, will go through strength and conditioning and walkthroughs like others.

"You will see him out there."

— Five Reasons Sports Network (@5ReasonsSports) July 29, 2020

What I heard:

Tua is all systems go. Which is what we’ve heard over the last several months from Tua and his representatives. This, now being confirmed by the Dolphins, is enormous. Not only could he technically play IF he had to, but he’s ready to go out there and compete for the starting job. Which is exactly what he’ll do, according to Brian Flores. All that truly matters, however, is that Tagovailoa is ready to go.

Takeaway #2

What coach said:

"you always want competition in TC. every position is an open competition. some players are obviously further ahead than others..but yes, we want competition and no jobs will just be handed out." — flores regarding the #dolphins QB situation heading into TC

— josh houtz (@houtz) July 29, 2020

What I heard: 

As we’ve become accustomed to, no job is truly safe. Flores wants the best players playing. And if a seasoned veteran gets dethroned by a hungry young rookie, the best player will play. That goes for every position, although all eyes will be on quarterback. Tua Tagovailoa will need to get acclimated to the system at a rapid pace, and Ryan Fitzpatrick will be right next to him every step of the way. Miami won’t rush Tua, but if the better talent is expected, it play. It probably won’t be very long before that’s the Hawaiian Prince.

Takeaway #3

What coach said:

Brian Flores says he has told Dolphins players they will have to make some sacrifices and be responsible inside and outside the building.

— Five Reasons Sports Network (@5ReasonsSports) July 29, 2020

Flores: "If we don't make the right decisions, if we're at bars, if we're at crowded restaurants, if we're at concerts, the odds of bringing the virus into our locker room are very high."

— Five Reasons Sports Network (@5ReasonsSports) July 29, 2020

“making good decisions, being responsible, they’ll have to make sacrifices inside and outside of the building. there are some challenges, but we’re trying to meet them head on and do the best we can. – flores on the sacrifices his players will make.

— josh houtz (@houtz) July 29, 2020

What I heard:

Football players are just like the rest of us. This means for the 2020 NFL season to start, sacrifices will have to be made. That goes for every coach, player, staff, and employee of the Miami Dolphins. Everyone should be wearing a mask, social distancing, and taking precautions to keep the players and their families safe.

Takeaway #4

What coach said:

"every rep is going to be important. every rep in individuals, those are the evaluations. the improvements those players make in practice, in walkthroughs, they're going to be what either keeps them on the team or doesn't keep them on the team" -flores on camp

— josh houtz (@houtz) July 29, 2020

What I heard:

This offseason is going to be different. Like I mentioned before, there is no preseason. Hell, the roster was cut to 80 players before teams could even report. It’s a different time. And a lot of these players are going to make the roster based on their reps in practice, drills, etc… Players have to earn their roster spot. It won’t be easy. Only the best will survive.

Takeaway #5

What coach said:

"X is on PUP. he's been rehabbing the entire summer. he's been making a lot of progress. he'll be back AS SOON AS HE CAN. says he won't put a timetable on when he'll be back"

— josh houtz (@houtz) July 29, 2020

What I heard:

Xavien Howard will not be rushed back and is currently slated to start the season on the PUP list. X is making progress and has been rehabbing all summer, but may not be ready to play. Could this be the reason Miami drafted Noah Igbinoghene? Is Nik Needham the next guy up to play opposite of Byron Jones? Or could the Dolphins bring in Logan Ryan, a player Brian Flores is very familiar with? If Howard isn’t ready to go by week 1, things are going to look much different in Miami’s secondary.

Brian Flores and the Miami Dolphins appear as ready as they can be for the 2020 NFL season to kickoff. And with lots of uncertainty surrounding the team, in the middle of a global pandemic, should make for one of the more memorable seasons in recent memory. Now, all we can do is sit back, relax, and get some popcorn ready. Football is here. And before we know it, the Tua Tagovailoa era will be upon us.