Tag Archive for: Tua Tagovailoa

Miami Dolphins: Ryan Fitzpatrick expected to be back with team in 2020

One part of the quarterback equation for the Miami Dolphins is not going anywhere.

At least one part of the Miami Dolphins quarterback equation will be solved in 2020. According to a report from Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier expects Ryan Fitzpatrick to be back in 2020.

Fitzpatrick performed well for Miami given the circumstances. He threw for 3,529 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. His best game came against the Cincinnati Bengals. In what was in overtime contest, he threw for 419 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. His 31 completions that day were his second-most on the season.

Fitzpatrick’s 20 touchdowns on the season were the most he threw in any season since 2015. That year, he threw 31 with the New York Jets. His passing yards were also the most he had in his career since 2015.

The veteran quarterback signed a two-year, $11 million contract with the Dolphins in 2019. This included  $7 million in guaranteed money.  This season, he will make an $8 million base salary.

The Dolphins figure to be in the quarterback market heading into this year’s draft. They have the fifth pick in the first round. They are meeting with several quarterbacks at the Senior Bowl this week. There has been an overwhelming line of thinking that the Miami Dolphins will select Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick. The Miami Dolphins certainly have a lot of options at their disposal.

What role Fitzpatrick will play in 2020 remains to be seen. He will either be the starting quarterback as Miami looks to develop a rookie. Alternatively, he could be a mentor as the rookie ascends to the starting role. Whatever the case may be, the Miami Dolphins are making an effort to try and bring stability and talent to the quarterback position. How they will execute it remains to be seen.

Tua Tagovailoa will work out for teams in April

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will work out for teams in April, according to his agent Leigh Steinberg.

Before the 2019 Miami Dolphins ever took the field, it was believed by many that the plan was to draft Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa, no matter whatAnd with each passing win, it seemed less and less likely that the plan would come to fruition. But then, Tagovailoa suffered a season-ending hip injury, which once again made this dream a reality. Now, with less than four months until the 2020 NFL Draft, new information could change teams’ outlook in April.

According to Tagovailoa’s agent Leigh Steinberg, the promising young QB is expected to be fully healthy and able to work out for NFL teams before the draft.

In Tagovailoa We Trust

No one can honestly say whether or not Tagovailoa will be fully healthy. As it is my belief, there are several hurdles between now and April that he must overcome. But for a player that at one point–many believed may never play football again–this is big. And for teams like the Miami Dolphins or even the Los Angeles Chargers, they must now start to devise a plan to figure out how to land the Left Arm of God. 

Truth is, Chris Grier and his henchman have done what needed to be done, to acquire as war chest of draft picks. They have the ammunition to move up and down the draft board as they deem fit–and it is my understanding they will do so for the right player. Tagovailoa, when healthy, is absolutely worth trading up for. And if he is the QB the team coveted since day one, the decision is easy.

When healthy, Tagovailoa is one of the best QBs to ever play collegiate football. Now, he has the opportunity to take his talents to the NFL-to South Florida. Now it is up to the Miami Dolphins to make that a dream a reality.

In all my years covering the Dolphins, there is not a prospect I can remember wanting more than Tagovailoa. I just hope Miami’s front office feels the same way. Because missing out on a prospect like Tagovailoa, could rival passing on Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers. It’s time to get out of the 7-9 and 8-8 hell the team has been trapped in for the last 20 years.

Save us Tua Tagovialoa, you’re our only hope.

 

This article was written by Josh Houtz (@houtz) and he really, really wants the Dolphins to draft Tua Tagovailoa.

 

Tua Tagovailoa

Tua Tagovailoa takes a weekend getaway to Miami

Tua Tagovailoa made the the trip down on Friday.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was spotted in Miami on social media. Could he have been visiting the Miami Dolphins on Friday?

Tagovailoa is expected to be a top quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft. As the Dolphins hold the fifth overall pick, he could be in a spot to become a Dolphin. This is something that many Miami fans believe is the first step towards rebuilding the future. It is certainly hard to disagree with them.

Friday night, he posted on his Instagram story that he was in Miami. He also was able to visit with Larry “The Amigo” Milan. The latter posted it on his Instagram profile. At the very least, we have tangible proof that the star quarterback is checking out potential future surroundings. That is certainly intriguing to say the least.

What does this all mean? We can’t say for certain, but my guess is that Miami really likes what Tua brings to the table. He is the playmaker Miami has been lacking for years. They have longed for a quarterback with his arm strength and accuracy, and now it looks like he has fallen right into their laps. I would be a little worried in regards to his injury from last year. However  with the fifth pick, Miami should take the best player available. He certainly fits into that category.

To me this is a sign that Tua is doing his homework. He’s doing a little pre-draft scouting if you will. Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier has done plenty of scouting on his own, having watched the quarterback in several games. He was on hand to watch Tagovailoa take down Ole Miss in a seven-touchdown day. It’s no secret that the Dolphins as an organization love what the quarterback brings the table.

The fact that the former Alabama Crimson Tide star was in town Friday is certainly significant. It could be the start of a fruitful relationship between organization and player.

Tua Tagovailoa announces he will enter 2020 NFL Draft

Tua Tagovailoa is headed the to National Football League.

It was decision day for Tua Tagovailoa on Monday. Would he stay at Alabama, or declare for the NFL Draft? The good news for Miami Dolphins fans is, he is heading to the professional ranks.

Tagovailoa passed for 2,840 yards, 33 touchdowns and three interceptions. The three interceptions were tied for third-least in college football. The 33 touchdowns were tied for eighth-most.

For his Alabama career, Tagovailoa threw for 7,442 yards, 87 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. His best season for the Crimson Tide came in 2018. As a sophomore, he threw for 3,966 yards, 43 touchdowns and six interceptions. The 206.9 quarterback rating he recorded in 2019 was the best number of his Alabama career.

He had a very impressive resume while at Alabama. Winning the national championship, being named MVP of the 2018 Orange Bowl, and All-American honors were just some of the things he won in 2018 alone.

Miami Dolphins were able to get successful bridge year Tua Tagovailoa

His decision to declare for the NFL Draft is a very interesting one as it relates to the Miami Dolphins quarterback position. Ryan Fitzpatrick had a great year for Miami, throwing for 3,529 yards, 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. If the goal was for Fitzpatrick to simply be a bridge to a future quarterback, he did a great job of holding down the fort.

The Miami Dolphins have the fifth overall pick in next year’s draft. There is speculation that Tua will be there for the Dolphins to select with the fourth overall pick. They would be wise to draft him. Even with the injury he suffered last year, he has unquestionable potential to be the quarterback of the future. He has tremendous arm strength, and the mobility needed to be a quarterback in today’s National Football League.

The motto adopted by many Miami Dolphins fans was “Tank for Tua.” At the end of the day, it appears the Miami Dolphins were able to win a bit and have their shot at the quarterback anyway. This is setting up to be a fun offseason for the Miami Dolphins. Now, the waiting game begins for the NFL Draft.

Dolphins fans are hoping Hawaiian born Tua Tagovailoa will be their quarterback next season. (Tony Capobianco for Five Reasons Sports)

Dolphins latest Tankathon Mock Draft is PERFECTION

If Chris Grier and his staff could emulate this latest 3-round mock draft from Tankathon, Dolphins fans everywhere would be over-the-moon excited!

The Miami Dolphins are now 3-10 and where they will pick in April’s draft is still very much undecided.

However, one thing we are very certain of is that the Dolphins need a complete overhaul of the roster. As of now, Miami has glaring holes at QB, RB, OL, DL, DB, SAF, and everything in between. And although mock drafts remain the flavor of the moment, very few have left fans satisfied. That is until now.

There is plenty of speculation on whether or not the Miami Dolphins will take the chance on Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa. And although most of the fanbase is divided, for a team that desperately needs a quarterback the answer could not be easier.

In the latest Tankathon three-round mock draft, the Dolphins do what each and every fan hopes they do come draft night.

Let’s take a look at what I believe to be one of the best three round-mock drafts in the world.

First Round

Despite his season-ending injury, Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa is still at the top of many fan’s draft boards. And although he himself has said he might never be the same, the reward is far greater than the risk. And although many teams could remove him from their draft board altogether, the Dolphins have several draft picks to play with. So, as long as Miami’s doctors don’t make a similar mistake as they did in the Daunte Culpepper/Drew Brees fiasco– they should finally get their QB of the future.

With the fourth-pick in the 2020 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select–Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

Despite his gruesome hip injury, Tagovailoa remains the favorite to land in Miami. After all, his skill-set is perfect for Chad O’Shea’s offense, and many believe owner Stephen Ross and his minions have been enamored by the young QB for several years. In 2019, Tagovailoa completed 180/252 passes for 2,840 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. And if you ask anyone, there was a very good chance he would’ve been one of the Heisman finalists if he never got hurt. Of course, there’s still a chance Tua decides to return to school. But after Utah State QB Jordan Love reportedly received a favorable grade from the draft committee, one would expect Tagovailoa to receive an even better one. And if he does declare, there’s a team and fanbase, in South Florida anxiously awaiting his arrival.

Fortunately, Miami made several moves at the beginning of the 2019 season that has set them up to do as they please in April’s draft. However, with each passing week, those two picks are looking a lot later than many had hoped. Both Pittsburgh and Houston are very much alive and well in the playoff picture. And if the Dolphins decide to stay put, they will currently be drafting back-to-back in round one.

There should be plenty of talent available in the latter part of the first round. In Tankathon’s latest mock draft, the Dolphins get an EDGE defender that would fit nicely in Flores defense. Yeteur Gross-Matos, the 6’5 262 lbs. pass-rusher from Penn State has been nearly unstoppable this season. And for a team that desperately needs anything resembling a pass-rush, this would be the perfect pick at #22. Next, the Dolphins get one of the best offensive linemen in the 2020 draft at #23 with Alabama’s Jedrick Willis. Willis would be the perfect tackle to help protect the blindside of Tagovailoa, his former Crimson Tide teammate.

Tagovailoa, Gross-Matos, and Willis would be an A+ first round for Chris Grier and his staff.

Second Round

There is no team in the NFL worse at running the football than the Dolphins. And although Patrick Laird is starting to emerge as a nice piece to the puzzle, they will still draft an RB in April. With the first of their second-round picks, Miami selects Georgia RB D’Andre Swift. In 2019, Swift carried the ball 195 times for 1,216 yards and 7 touchdowns. The explosive back would be the perfect thunder to Laird’s lightning.

Later in round two, Miami lands yet another premier offensive lineman in Oklahoma’s Creed Humphrey. The addition of both Humphrey and Willis would not only make Tagovailoa and Swift very happy. And will help solve a problem the Dolphins have struggled to fix for years.

Third Round

Lastly, in round three Miami adds a defensive back to their secondary. Jaylon Johnson, the 6’0 shutdown CB from Utah would be the perfect addition for Josh Boyer, who has consistently got the most out of his unit. The Dolphins need more depth in the secondary and Johnson fits what Flores and his staff covet. The perfect ending, to the perfect three-round mock draft.

This will change many more times between now and April 23, 2020. With that said, how do you feel with Tankathon’s latest mock draft?

Josh Houtz (@houtz) is a die-hard fan of the Miami Dolphins, and all he wants for Christmas is TUA #Tankovailoa

Dolphins draft Tua Tagovailoa in latest Tankathon Mock Draft

Despite the injury to Tua Tagovailoa, the Miami Dolphins still use the third-overall pick on the once-in-a-generation QB in Tankathon’s latest 3-round Mock draft.

When the season started, many believed the ultimate goal was acquiring Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa. And whether or not you believe that was the plan all along, it has been a roller coaster of emotions to the say the least. After all, Miami started the season 0-7 and it seemed like a certainty they would get their guy. But then they won two straight games and the future seemed a bit more hazy. Since then, Miami has dropped two games in a row and with the rebirth of Andy Dalton in Cincinnati, 2-14 seems like a real possibility.

However, the biggest thing to happen since the last time I penned one of these articles, is the season-ending injury that Tagovailoa suffered nearly two weeks ago.

To read about the injury and my thoughts on whether or not the Dolphins should still draft Tagovailoa, click HERE

As of now, it is a bit murky on which pick Miami would have if the season ended today. Some say they would draft fourth-overall, while our good friends over at Tankathon say they will have the third-overall pick. Nevertheless, if things going according to plan, the Dolphins should be drafting top-3 in April’s draft. Which would net them LSU QB Joe Burrow, Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa, or Ohio State pass-rusher Chase Young.

In the latest Tankathon three-round mock draft, the Dolphins do what many fans wanted the team to do from the very beginning.

First Round

Despite his season-ending hip injury and the concern that he may never be the same talent he once was, the Dolphins have desperately needed a quarterback for the last twenty years  So, unless Cincinnati goes with the elite pass-rusher from Ohio State, that leaves only one worthy QB still on the board.

With the third-pick in the 2020 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select–Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

Hip injury and all, Tagovailoa is probably the most talented QB in the class. And if he were truly the Dolphins target all along, Miami should pull the trigger without any hesitation. In 2019, Tagovailoa completed 180/252 passes for 2,840 yards, 33 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Truth is, he was well on his way to being a legit Heisman contender, but again, the injury. In the end, no one truly knows how Tagovailoa will heal from the injury and where he will be projected to go in 2020. Hell, he could still decide to return to school if he wanted to. But that wouldn’t be in his best interest, especially with the 2021 class loaded with QB talent. Finally, the Dolphins get ‘their guy’ in Tua Tagovailoa.

Miami has a lot of needs that should be prioritized before the team uses a first-round pick on a wide receiver. But no one can deny Tee Higgins skill-set and how it should translate to the NFL game. And with Preston Williams out for the foreseeable future. With Pittsburgh’s first-round pick, the Dolphins choose to bring in another weapon for their recently drafted QB. With one more pick in the first-round and a ton of needs, Chris Grier gets HC Brian Flores a new weapon for his defense-selecting Alabama defensive lineman Raekwon Davis.

Second Round

At the top of the second-round, the Dolphins address one of their biggest needs on the offensive side of the football. And although there’s a very good chance a running back or two will go on day one, Miami lands arguably the best back in the class. With the 34th-pick in the 2020 draft, the Miami Dolphins select De’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia. Kalen Ballage clearly isn’t getting things done and the Dolphins would be wise not to invest a ton of money via free agency. Swift can do it all and would be a perfect fit in Chad O’Shea’s offense.

Later in round two, Miami finally addresses the offensive line selecting Iowa OT Alaric Jackson. Truth is, the Dolphins’ offensive line has been an absolute turnstile this season. And though I fully expect them to invest a lot of money on the offensive line in free agency, it would still be wise to draft some young talent to build upon. Jackson would start immediately and help both of his fellow rookies- Tagovailoa and Jackson.

Third Round

Lastly, in round three Miami does the unthinkable and take yet another offensive lineman. This time drafting TCU’s Lucas Niang. The Dolphins invested in Tua and now they are making sure to cover their investment, fixing the offensive line like many have long yearned for.

This will change many more times between now and April 23, 2020. With that said, how do you feel with Tankathon’s latest mock draft?

Josh Houtz (@houtz) is a die-hard fan of the Miami Dolphins, and wants Tua Tagovialoa, No Matter What! #Tankovailoa

Jalen Hurts Dwyane Wade

Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade gives Oklahoma QB Jalen Hurts ringing endorsement

In light of the recent devastating injury suffered by Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins fans have been forced to look elsewhere for a potential franchise quarterback. While there’s still a chance Tagovailoa will make a full recovery, it is now riskier than ever for Miami to put all their eggs in one basket. Tagovailoa may return to form, or he may never play football again. Even if he does, there’s also a chance he will never be the same player he once was. Does that mean the Dolphins shouldn’t draft him? Not necessarily. Miami has several draft picks to spare, and Tagovailoa will likely be available when the Dolphins pick now that his health is a huge question mark. Where’s the harm in drafting two quarterbacks?

However, there is another possibility. After suffering such a major injury, Tagovailoa could decide that his best option is to return to Alabama for one more year. By doing so, he can rebuild his draft stock and prove to potential suitors that he still has what it takes. But that leaves Miami without a clear cut QB selection in the 2020 draft. Who do they turn to now? Oregon’s Justin Herbert? Georgia’s Jake Fromm? Utah State’s Jordan Love?

The 2020 draft class is filled with talented quarterbacks besides Tagovailoa, and a good coaching staff has a very good chance of developing one of them into a franchise quarterback. But there’s one quarterback who has captured the attention of another legendary athlete in Miami’s history. Former Miami Heat superstar Dwyane Wade took to Twitter early Sunday morning to express his support for Oklahoma QB Jalen Hurts.

There’s a certain irony to this. Back during Hurts’ junior year, he was replaced as the starter at Alabama by none other than Tua Tagovailoa. Hurts did well as his backup and the two became good friends. Hurts recently offered his thoughts on Tagovailoa’s injury.

“It hurt me to hear it. He’s a great friend of mine,” Hurts said. “I pray for him and his family. I hope everything works out for the best for him.”

That said, Hurts did want to have an opportunity to play for himself. So, for his senior year, Hurts announced he was transferring to the University of Oklahoma. Since then, Hurts has become a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, and he leads the nation in passer efficiency rating. In second place, is Tagovailoa. Hurts is breaking Baker Mayfield’s records and he’s showing amazing talent as both a runner and a passer.

However, he’s also making mistakes. His recent incredible comeback against Baylor was partly necessary because of errors he himself made. But the fact he made that spectacular comeback, bringing the Sooners back from a 28-3 deficit to win, proves his talent is there, waiting for someone to develop and utilize.

But what makes Wade, a basketball player, an authority on potential NFL quarterbacks? Frankly, not much. But there is one universal trait among all competitive sports. The untraceable concept of “it.”

Wade has “it.”

There’s a saying that game recognizes game. True, Wade likely knows next to nothing about what it takes to be an NFL quarterback. However, there’s a strong chance he can recognize that all so important “it” factor that defines Wade’s entire career in Jalen Hurts.

The kind of quarterback the Dolphins need to start their path back to greatness must possess that intangible. For Wade to endorse Jalen Hurts so emphatically means he must recognize something that makes Hurts special. True, he may not be Tagovailoa, but even Tagovailoa himself may not be that player anymore. So the next best thing may very well be Hurts. If nothing else, it should prompt Miami’s scouting department to take a very close look at him.

Luis Sung has covered the Miami Dolphins for numerous outlets such as Dolphins Wire for six years. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

All Eyes of the Football World on Tua After Horrific Injury

Terrible news out of college football Saturday as Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a serious injury against Mississippi State.

 

This is a similar injury to the one suffered by Bo Jackson which due to related complications ended his athletic career.

Alabama was leading 35-7 and Tua was set to lead the two-minute offense right before halftime.

Starters will typically finish the first half even in a game of this margin, Tua being on the field at that point in the game is not an unusual circumstance.

Yet reaction to how Nick Saban kept Tagovailoa in the game seems unfavorable.

 

Tua just returned from ankle surgery and gutted out a tough performance against Joe Burrow and LSU.

On a razor thin recovery timetable.

Hopefully this transcendent athlete can make a full recovery from this latest setback.

His injury shifts the college and NFL landscapes significantly, which seems insignificant at the moment.

Yet the business of collegiate athletics continues to profit, Nick Saban makes millions of dollars a year.

While Tua’s professional football future and the financial positioning of his early career is possibly altered.

With only a few months until the NFL Draft the injury to Tagovailoa will certainly shift speculation on his draft position.

Fans of the Miami Dolphins are certainly watching this story closely.

 

Tua is the kind of player the organization has been searching for to fill the two decade void at quarterback.

Now Miami Dolphins fans must wait and hope for the best, and if Tua is who we hope him to be.

Then, perhaps this story has a triumphant turn.

All we can do now is wait.

Follow us on Twitter for more Dolphins news and updates @5ReasonsSports.

 

Jerome Baker

Comments from Dolphins LB Jerome Baker spark firestorm

The 2019 season isn’t easy for Dolphins fans to sit through. Every week, they go to the stadium or turn on the television and expect a loss. In fact, many are actively rooting for losses. The mindset for fans on social media is that losing every game in 2019 will ensure the number one overall pick in the 2020 draft. In other words, exclusive rights to their would-be new franchise quarterback, who many are hoping will be Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa. It might also be Oregon’s Justin Herbert.

But controversy erupted on social media when the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson asked some players about the fans’ desire for the Dolphins to lose out. Naturally, no football player who actually cares about the game would purposely try to fail. The very thought has them shaking their heads. However, Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker questioned the fandom of those individuals rooting for losses, even in light of the greater good it would presumably bring.

“You’re not a real fan if you’re rooting for us to lose, no matter what [the reason] is,” Baker said. “We try to win every chance we get. If we come up short, it’s not because we come up short for the future. I’ve seen the tanking and all that. From outside looking in, you essentially think we’re just tanking. But we go out there and try to perform. If you are not performing, they get you out of here. Every guy wants to play well and ultimately stay as long as we can.”

Baker obviously tried to bring it back to the locker room with the second half of his statement. But it was too late, the damage was done. Twitter erupted with fans and analysts arguing both for and against Baker, as evidenced in this thread from Five Reasons’ own Josh Houtz.

What does it mean to be a true fan? For some, it means supporting the team no matter what. Come on Sunday and sport your team colors, rooting for a win. Support the players there now because they’re giving it their all. For many others, it means demanding excellence. Do what’s best for the team, even if it hurts. Losing now could open the door to a decade’s worth of victory. That’s worth the humiliation of 0-16, right?

Ultimately, it depends on who you ask.

Whose side are you on?

Luis Sung has covered the Miami Dolphins for numerous outlets such as Dolphins Wire for six years. Follow him on Twitter: @LuisDSung

What are the odds the Dolphins go 0-16?

Let’s talk about odds…

The 2019 season has been anything but entertaining for the Miami Dolphins and their loyal fanbase.  Unless of course you believe in the art of tanking, in which case you are probably very supportive of Miami’s efforts this NFL season.  Truth is, Miami is on pace to become the worst team in the history of the NFL. No, this is not a joke.  And although we all wish and hope for a quick turanaround, a terrible 2019 season can mean only one thing.  Alabama QB, Tua Tagovailoa.

Unfortunately, Miami isn’t the only team that appears to be tanking for Tua.

In fact, there are currently six teams that remain winless in 2019. Fortunately, not all of those teams are in need of a QB.  Which means if the Dolphins truly covet one of this year’s franchise signal-callers, they can move up and try to acquire their ‘next Dan Marino’.  Or not, the choice is theirs. But what we’re starting to realize more and more each day, is that if Miami does want to land Tagovailoa, they might need to go 0-16 to do so.  This is okay with me and I’m sure a majority of fans would suffer through a historically bad season, if it meant landing the Crimson Tide QB.

But how likely is it for Miami to go 0-16?  According to Sports Betting Dime, the Dolphins odds of going 0-16 are as follows:

Yes +250

No -400

Sure, the odds could change several times between now and the end of the season.  But nevertheless, it’s interesting to see how Miami stacks up against the rest of the field.  Furthermore, if the Dolphins truly are tanking (they are), this would be the perfect outcome.  Trust me, if the Dolphins land Tua, the franchise will be winning football games quicker than you can pronounce his first name-Tuanigamanuolepola 

In the end, Miami is most likely going to squeak out a win or two.  Why?  Because nothing good ever happens to the Dolphins.  And in a year where the QB class is out of this world, and there’s a guy staring them in the face with elite intangibles, Miami will find a way to mess this up.  No matter how good they look in their current state.  But let’s be honest, there’s nothing fans want to hear more than these famous words…

“With the first pick in the 2020 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select:”

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

 

Josh Houtz (@houtz) is a die-hard fan of the Miami Dolphins, and has fallen in love with  Tua Tagovailoa.