ClutchPoints
The Miami Dolphins can’t do anything against the Bills, and Tyreek Hill seems to think the season hangs in the balance. But while some people believe Mike McDaniel should be let go, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is actually the Dolphins’ problem.
Here’s an example of the issue. When the game plan must be structured in a way that prevents the quarterback from throwing the ball down the field — just to give the team a chance — it’s not the coach’s problem. It belongs on the shoulders of the quarterback.
Yes, Tagovailoa’s pick near the end of the game may have seemed like the defining moment. It wasn’t. It’s that the coach can’t trust Tua enough.
The Dolphins averaged a meek 4.2 yards per passing attempt against the Bills. And that was the game plan. Plus, it was the correct game plan. That was the only way the Dolphins had a chance to beat the Bills.
To put it in perspective, Tagovailoa led the league in average yards per attempt in 2022. Let that sink in. He led the NFL with 8.9 yards per attempt. And in Thursday night’s game, he averaged less than half of that. He was “Horizontal Tua.” There was almost zero verticality to the Dolphins’ passing game.
Why? Because that’s what Tua brought to the table for this game. The safe mode kept the Dolphins in the game, but barely. There were times it seemed they were hanging off the cliff. Buffalo had two distinct chances to put the game away. The fact that the Bills didn’t capitalize kept Miami in it.
If that’s the best the Dolphins can be with Tua at quarterback these days, even with all of the weaponry at his disposal, he’s the liability.
Think about this: How would Patrick Mahomes do with the skill players the Dolphins have right now? Or even Josh Allen, for that matter. Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, De’Von Achane. These are game-breaking players. Get the picture? The Dolphins would be an offensive machine with an elite quarterback, even with McDaniel calling the shots.
Tua basically admitted he’s not in the NFL elite level, according to Fox Sports.
“Dude, [Josh Allen is] top tier. If it’s not with his arm, it’s with his legs. That dude can do literally anything he wants,” Tagovailoa said. “Definitely different skill set for me. I can’t do half of what he does when it comes to running the ball, and any of that. And then with how he can just chuck a ball down the field with how far and the arm strength that he has, he’s supreme when it comes to that. It’s going to be fun to get to see him, get to play him again. And we’ll see.”
I mean, it sounds like Tua is a college player and looking up to his football hero.
Stephen A. Smith let Tua have it on First Take.
“If I...
