The Miami Dolphins spoke with their actions and their phrases in backing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa this offseason.
Coach Mike McDaniel and common supervisor Chris Grier famous a dedication to the No. 5 choose within the 2020 draft for a fourth NFL season since their 2022 season ended. And then they stood by it, passing on such obtainable quarterbacks as Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson and exercising the fifth-year possibility on Tagovailoa’s rookie contract.
Tagovailoa made a significant stride in Year 3, displaying what he can turn into in McDaniel’s offense with an elite vast receiver tandem of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. He threw 25 touchdowns to simply eight interceptions whereas main the league in passer score and yards per try.
Concerns stay, nonetheless, in Tagovailoa’s means to stay wholesome and obtainable after two concussion protocol stints price him 5 1/ video games, together with the wild-card spherical playoff loss on the Buffalo Bills. Tagovailoa is engaged on that by doing jiu-jitsu exercises this offseason to strengthen his neck and enhance the muscle reminiscence that enables him to guard himself from the arduous falls that put his head in danger.
That’s why it was important for the Dolphins to safe a backup quarterback in free company that would compete with returning 2022 rookie Skylar Thompson for these No. 2 duties and was conversant in McDaniel’s offensive scheme.
Instead of spending large cash on a extremely skilled backup — like final offseason with Teddy Bridgewater, who didn’t make it via both of his two begins rather than Tagovailoa — the Dolphins went with one other native South Florida product in Mike White, who starred as a highschool quarterback for University School in Davie on the identical Nova Southeastern campus because the Dolphins’ previous facility.
With White secured and Thompson heading into Year 2 below McDaniel, offensive coordinator Frank Smith and quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell, Miami has its three quarterbacks on the lively roster for the 2023 season.
It’s unlikely the staff will search one other with considered one of its 4 alternatives within the NFL draft, which runs from April 27-29 in Chicago. The Dolphins produce other wants they will fill with their second- and third-round picks. A sixth- or seventh-round alternative would basically accomplish the identical as they already did with Thompson within the 2022 draft. An undrafted quarterback or low cost veteran signing as a fourth coaching camp arm and viable follow squad possibility could possibly be extra believable.
White, 28, had a protracted journey to his first NFL regular-season snaps. They didn’t come to him till 2021 with the New York Jets. But he burst onto the scene then, main an upset of the Cincinnati Bengals in his first begin. He accomplished 37-of-45 passes for 405 yards and three touchdowns. He confirmed his highs and lows, although, tossing 4 interceptions two weeks later in a loss to Buffalo.
In 2022, White once more had a standout efficiency in going 22 of 28 for 315 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in opposition to the Chicago Bears. While he couldn’t replicate that sort of outing in his subsequent three begins final season, he was extensively revered for making an attempt to play via fractured ribs in a loss to the Bills. His closing look, although, eradicated New York from playoff competition as he accomplished solely 50 p.c of passes with out a landing and tossing two interceptions in Seattle.
White comes from an identical offensive system below former Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur that ought to make his transition into McDaniel’s offense seamless. Jets coach Robert Saleh and McDaniel have been additionally assistants collectively in San Francisco earlier than they acquired their head teaching gigs.
Thompson gained useful expertise as a rookie seventh-round select of Kansas State. He managed an 11-6 victory over the Jets that clinched a playoff spot for the Dolphins amid a five-game dropping streak. He was then solely 18 of 45 with two interceptions and one landing within the playoff loss at Buffalo, however there aren’t many late-round rookies exterior of the 49ers’ Brock Purdy seeing that type of postseason setting this early in an expert profession.
The Dolphins seem set for 2023 with Tagovailoa because the starter, White and Thompson competing for backup duties and probably one other quarterback introduced in for coaching camp and as a follow squad participant.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com