There’s been a somber temper throughout Miami Dolphins services this week, particularly emanating from normally lighthearted coach Mike McDaniel on down by means of the group, with regards to response to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and his second concussion suffered this season.
Two different coaches on the Dolphins’ employees closest to Tagovailoa, offensive coordinator Frank Smith and quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell, supplied their perspective on what they noticed from the third-year quarterback between a second half within the loss to the Green Bay Packers the place he didn’t appear to be himself, throwing three fourth-quarter interceptions, and Monday, when it was recognized Tagovailoa ought to get checked out by docs.
“I think the process really probably started on Monday morning,” Bevell mentioned Thursday. “For me, it was truly the night time, as a result of I am going again and watch the sport Sunday night time.
“I just saw some things in the game [film] and then talked to Tua the next morning, and basically, from that information and the information that we had talking to [McDaniel], as well, thought it was important for him to be able to see the docs.”
Did Bevell discover Tagovailoa appeared off when speaking to him?
“I don’t know what ‘off’ means, but I would just say there was enough information there that we thought it was important for him to be able to go see the doctor,” he mentioned.
Bevell declined to invest on whether or not the concussion, believed to have occurred on a play late within the first half the place Tagovailoa’s head banged towards the bottom following a routine hit as he delivered a move, precipitated any of the three interceptions.
Smith, through the recreation Sunday, discovered the three interceptions to be uncharacteristic, however he couldn’t pin it right down to being influenced by concussion signs.
“There were some things where you’re going, ‘Huh,’” the offensive coordinator mentioned, “however I imply, so far as my in-game conversations with him at that time within the recreation, I used to be locked in on different stuff. I didn’t actually have any conversations with him within the recreation to have the ability to collect any data.
“My conversations with him weren’t really enough to warrant anything. After the game, I was the same thing as everyone when I found out. I was like, ‘Ah, interesting.’”
Smith mentioned he didn’t converse straight with Tagovailoa on Monday when McDaniel initially questioned the quarterback upon reviewing his movie from the Sunday recreation.
Tagovailoa has been at group services this week however principally with the medical employees. The group is taking an method of not placing strain on him to consider something past what he has to do on a given day. Tagovailoa has been concerned in group conferences however not positional classes with quarterbacks.
Through restricted interactions with him, Bevell mentioned Tagovailoa “seems to be okay.”
Smith relayed an identical sentiment as McDaniel did on Wednesday — when the normally talkative coach supplied a uncommon one-word reply to element what he felt about Tagovailoa’s concussion state of affairs, “terrible” — however the offensive coordinator additionally has an eye fixed on the current alternative with backup Teddy Bridgewater in line to start out towards the New England Patriots this Sunday.
“There’s a human element when you invest so much with these guys,” Smith mentioned. “You get to know them so nicely on a private degree. In a soccer season, in some ways, you get to know the gamers and spend extra time with them than you do your personal household, so the affect of accidents typically hits actual laborious.
“Ultimately, when you have injuries at any position, you’re always excited for the opportunity to see the rest of your team respond.”
And Bridgewater is a veteran with 64 profession begins to his credit score, who has come on in reduction of Tagovailoa after a earlier concussion in Cincinnati and relieving Skylar Thompson within the Oct. 16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
“I think you look at Teddy’s whole body of work. Teddy’s been in the NFL for a long time,” Bevell mentioned. “He’s a cagey veteran player. He’s seen a lot of defenses. He’s played a lot of football, so I’m really excited about the things that he can bring to us. It’s really important that we do things that will help him be successful as well so I think there’s been a good collaborative effort, working together to make sure that he’s going to be able to be put in the best situation to help our offense be successful. But there’s a good history there of him playing really good football.”
Added Smith: “With his veteran presence, his knowledge of the game and his communication with us as staff and as teammates, we feel very confident in what concepts he likes, his understanding of the offense. We know, when Teddy’s called upon, he’s going to be able to do what we need him to do.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com