Suspicions about Tagovailoa’s future mounted because the Dolphins group heaped a little an excessive amount of reward on their embattled younger quarterback all through the low season. Tagovailoa may barely toss his socks in a laundry hamper throughout minicamp with out the crew posting a video of the throw and McDaniel providing a testimonial about its accuracy and velocity. Hill referred to as Tagovailoa “the most accurate QB in the N.F.L.,” reward which, on the time, learn extra as an try and slight Patrick Mahomes than legit statement.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins signed the veteran Teddy Bridgewater because the type of premium insurance coverage coverage a crew not often invests in when it’s really dedicated to a younger quarterback.
By the tip of coaching camp, the Tagovailoa-led Dolphins had been poised to flop like an overhyped summer time blockbuster. Once the season started, nonetheless, it grew to become clear that Hill, Waddle and McDaniel had been accentuating Tagovailoa’s strengths reasonably than protecting up his weaknesses.
Hill, who leads the N.F.L. with 87 receptions and 1,233 yards, is the league’s most elusive receiver. Waddle, fifth within the N.F.L. with 963 yards on 56 receptions, can be the quickest receiver on any crew that didn’t make use of Hill. No crew has sufficient expertise of their secondary to cowl each of them, so opponents not often blitz and invariably align their safeties deep to stop quick-strike touchdowns.
With defenses consistently on their heels, Tagovailoa has loads of time to throw and plenty of open house for intermediate passes. Per Pro Football Reference, Tagovailoa’s common supposed cross is 9.1 yards downfield, the second-highest determine within the N.F.L., and he’s pressured on solely 19.2 % of his makes an attempt, twenty fourth within the league. Instead of a glorified handoff machine, Tagovailoa has been a extra constant downfield passer than Mahomes or Josh Allen of the Bills.
Tagovailoa makes use of shoulder fakes to feint defenders out of place and infrequently appears to be like to his supposed receiver till it’s time to throw. A fast launch and a deft contact compensate for his lack of a big-league fastball, and he lofts simply sufficient deep bombs to Hill and Waddle to maintain defenders cautious. Reduced strain and elevated expertise have additionally resulted in fewer errors: Tagovailoa has not thrown an interception or misplaced a fumble in his final 5 video games.
Fans and analysts at the moment are warming to Tagovailoa. He’s third amongst quarterbacks in early Pro Bowl balloting, behind Mahomes and Allen. He can also be getting +500 odds for the Most Valuable Player Award, behind solely Mahomes (-160) and the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts (+350).
Discussion about this post