Pressure Point: Time for Miami Dolphins to turn to Tua Tagovailoa
Staying reasonably competitive with the Seattle Seahawks and MVP candidate Russell Wilson in a 31-23 loss Sunday is of little consequence for the Miami Dolphins.
It only served to set back the time table of their mission.
The 1-3 Dolphins are no playoff contender. This season is about the future, and it is time to take the next vital step in that direction.
Yes, it is time to take the wraps off Tua Tagovailoa.
I say that knowing full well coach Brian Flores doesn’t agree. He will say Ryan Fitzpatrick gives the Dolphins the best chance to win, despite plenty evidence on Sunday to the contrary.
Three promising drives deep into Seahawks territory in the first half netted only three field goals because Fitzpatrick wasn’t sharp. He couldn’t make the money throw when he needed it.
Unlike Wilson, who after the Dolphins pulled within 10-9 with 24 seconds remaining in the half, took the Seahawks 75 yards in four plays in the span of 21 seconds for a 17-9 lead.
Can’t win with field goals
There would be two more field goals in the second half before Fitzpatrick scrambled for Miami’s lone touchdown in the final two minutes with the Seahawks firmly in control.
Flores’ displeasure was evident: “For the most part I felt we moved it well. Fitz ran it, threw it, but at the end of the day you’ve got to finish in the red zone.”
Keep in mind, the Seahawks came in ranked 32nd — dead last — in pass defense and total defense. That’s right, worse than the Dolphins’ porous defense, which ranked 25th in both categories. Seattle was allowing 28.7 points a game, and their defense was banged up.
Yes, give the Miami defense a gold star for a commendable job against Wilson and keeping the Dolphins in the game until the final minutes — until Fitzpatrick threw the game-sealing interception.
But you’re not beating playoff-caliber teams with a flurry of field goals, as Flores also pointed out.
It is abundantly clear at this point what the Dolphins need.
They need to see if Tagovailoa is the talent he is touted to be.
Let’s see what Tagovailoa can do
Some intriguing footage appeared on Instagram last week of Tua scattering pinpoint completions around the field during Dolphins practice.
Right, it was practice. It proves nothing. But it sure whets the appetite to see what Tua can do in a game.
.@tua to @chesterrogers80 pic.twitter.com/VoRGXGktah
— josh houtz (@houtz) October 2, 2020
And for him to begin acclimating to the NFL, like Justin Herbert, taken one pick later in the draft, is doing quite well with the Los Angeles Chargers.
For those keeping track, Herbert was 20-of-25 for 290 yards and three touchdowns with a 137.9 passer rating in a 38-31 loss to Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
By every indication, Tagovailoa is fully recovered from the serious hip injury that made it possible for the Dolphins to draft him with the No. 5 overall pick in April. Being active as the backup quarterback in each game so far verifies that.
The other vital question going into the season was whether a rebuilt offensive line would be adequate to protect a franchise quarterback. The play of the line has been the most positive development on offense for the Dolphins.
Rookies Austin Jackson and Solomon Kindley are not exhibiting the growing pains that generally come with first-year players immediately thrust into the starting lineup.
Rebuilt line passes early tests
Considering the line has newcomers at four of five positions — veterans Ereck Flowers and Ted Karras were also offseason additions — it is impressive how quickly it has messed as a unit, and with no preseason. Pass protection has been solid from Week 1 and run blocking has improved the past two games.
Now the line needs a playmaker working behind it. Fitzpatrick has served the Dolphins remarkably well, but FitzMagic isn’t taking this team anywhere meaningful after a 1-3 start.
This is not a knock on Fitzpatrick, who has been everything that could have been asked of a veteran leader and bridge quarterback for a rebuilding team.
He is a delightful personality and an inspiration with his daring dashes for first downs and touchdowns. Really, a marvel as a 37-year-old starting for the eighth team in a long career.
The bottom line on Fitzpatrick’s performance Sunday was no touchdown passes, two interceptions and a 66.4 passer rating.
“Red zone execution really falls on the quarterback,” Fitzpatrick said. “For me, I walk out of this game feeling terrible in that. I felt like there [were] a lot of guys on our team that played well enough to win and I, unfortunately, was not of them. When that happens and your quarterback doesn’t play up to his ability, then you’re not going to win a whole lot of games in this league.”
That sums up the frustration of the present. Plenty of reason to get started on finding out if Tua can change the narrative as soon as possible.
Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on Twitter @CraigDavisRuns
This, seems ready and we need to know what we’ve got and since That hasn’t played in about 18 months, he needs to know for himself. He needs to see how he feels and moves and get acclimated to the speed of the pro game. He needs to build his confidence in his health and football abilities and instincts again. Play a half for his first game or two and see how it goes. Don’t sit all season and throw him to the wolves need year. This kid is our best chance since Danny retired. Be smart about it , but play the kid. He’s earned the right. Fitzy knows his role and accepts it. Time to step into the future Fins. We’ve waited 21 years. Let the kid play. We all look forward to seeing you Tua !! Start living your dream kid, start living your dream and let us all watch and be part of it. It is going to be a special ride. I just have that feeling. Future + That = EXCITEMENT
We need to start playing Tua and see if his body can withdstand the hits handed out by the NFL…If his body can’t handle the punishment taken from the league, we need to know, so we can get Trevor in the next draft.
My opinion is coaching and fitz also chan..horrible coaching cant win with field goal’s..fitz is done if he stays in we will lose every game from here out..chan needs to create plays for tua its his time if flores dont put tua in we will lose. Its just that simple..
What are you waiting on every situation is not the same you learn by playing if his mine is that fragile and you worried about him getting hurt you shouldn’t have drafted him Fiz is not the future I can take losing if I see our future.
Fitz did not lose the great our defense did im not a big fan of our DC and we have a rookie back there that is getting educated were not helping him I blame this on coaching we should have called time out before that touchdown was made ..our guys were late getting on the field and then we got burned bad coaching lost it not fitz
Gotta disagree with you here. Our defense played well enough to win us this game against an MVP candidate coming off two 5+ td game in a row. When in the red zone fitz couldn’t perform. He said it himself. Alot of throws he missed in the read zone or decided to try and thread the needle instead to taking wide open routes underneath. I saw this multiple times in red zone. Yes our rookie CB blew a coverage but he’s going to be a good one. He has to have better eye discipline which comes with reps. Same thing happened with Diggs in Buffalo. He’s not straight up getting beat which bodes well. O-line also gave fitz plenty time around this time last year he was getting destroyed. This falls on him #1 in this loss in my opinion. Unless we get the QB right we will always be talking about who’s fault. When Mario was around we were not having these conversations bc 5red done trips were 5tds. QB is the highest paid position in the NFL for a reason. Fitz needed to rise to the challenge and he didn’t. Defense did what they could to put us in position to win.
I think most fans want to see this take the field an charge miami dolphins off team.every one feel we could won every game but no great finish in the end zone at the end of the day it’s the coach responseblity and he does not have enough what it takes to put it all out or nothing.He bench rookies play makers all team already started their drafted rookies accept us.lets see what we have let the fans enjoy the future.Am very sure we will be great even rivals want to see successful.lets go man.adnan chaaban