With the 2022 NFL season quick approaching, the South Florida Sun Sentinel takes a take a look at 10 storylines to observe for in a 10-part collection forward of the Miami Dolphins’ first day of coaching camp, which is about for July 27.
The Miami Dolphins made a press release this offseason entrusting the franchise’s 2022 hopes with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback.
They steered away from the pursuit of Deshaun Watson — or every other high-level quarterback — that surrounded the group from the earlier offseason by final yr’s commerce deadline. Although, if Tom Brady would’ve needed to unretire in Miami and are available to city packaged with Sean Payton as coach earlier than former coach Brian Flores filed his lawsuit, who is aware of what would’ve occurred?
Regardless of how we received right here, the purpose is the Dolphins are giving Tagovailoa his probability at a 3rd NFL season with the group after he’s had some ups and downs over his first two years.
It’s a drained sentiment at this level, nevertheless it really could possibly be a make or break season for Tagovailoa in Miami, particularly with every part that has been positioned round him. If the outcomes don’t come to fruition now, it’s honest to consider they merely gained’t.
Tagovailoa has been gifted elite receiving expertise Tyreek Hill, who was a Pro Bowl choice in every of his six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. Pair him with burgeoning second-year wideout and faculty teammate at Alabama, Jaylen Waddle, plus tight finish Mike Gesicki and free-agent acquisition Cedrick Wilson within the slot. The offensive line needs to be improved from what Tagovailoa had in entrance of him his first two seasons. He ought to have a working sport that may make the passing sport simpler. And, orchestrating all of it, is an offensive-minded coach in Mike McDaniel who’s coming into his first season main a group with a mindset of supporting his younger quarterback.
Tagovailoa is 13-8 in 21 begins over his first two seasons. Last yr, he threw for 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His completion share went as much as 67.8 after it was 64.1 as a rookie. His yards per try improved to six.8 from 6.3.
What are some honest expectations for Tagovailoa?
You hear a few Year 3 leap for quarterbacks. Buffalo’s Josh Allen noticed an incredible uptick in 2020, his third season. Allen threw for 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions that yr after he had 20 touchdowns to 9 interceptions the yr prior. That ratio is healthier than what was seen from Tagovailoa, however Allen’s greater enchancment got here in his accuracy — the place Tagovailoa is already stable — bumping up his completion share to 69.2 in 2020 from 58.8 in 2019.
Tagovailoa’s Year 2 quarterback ranking was truly higher than that of Allen in 2019, 90.1 to 85.3.
Allen and Tagovailoa are totally different quarterbacks. Allen has a giant arm and working capability in addition, whereas Tagovailoa is 4 inches shorter and has to depend on his precision and anticipation on throws to be efficient.
We don’t essentially must see Tagovailoa rise up over 30 touchdowns subsequent season. Such a quantity would put him within the prime 10 if in comparison with final season’s league passing numbers. But if he performs a full season, 25 touchdowns whereas conserving the interceptions round 10 in a run-first offense might be a valued enchancment.
As far as passing yards, a great marker could also be 3,800. Jimmy Garoppolo final season posted 3,810 passing yards, which ranked twelfth within the league. It’s a good purpose to set for Tagovailoa in the identical McDaniel offense that Garoppolo performed in.
Like Allen received in 2020 with Stefon Diggs, Tagovailoa added his star receiver to his playmakers this offseason in Hill. That alone needs to be sufficient to pay quick dividends.
With the velocity of Hill and Waddle on the skin, Tagovailoa additionally has to show he possesses the arm energy to hit them after they get open excessive. He’s now three years faraway from the hip damage that minimize his faculty profession at Alabama brief in 2019 and should have been limiting the torque on his passes.
But there will even be an emphasis on creating alternatives for yards after the catch, so count on the passing sport to nonetheless principally play to Tagovailoa’s strengths within the brief passing sport however, ideally, with working lanes for the speedsters after which the occasional deep shot.
Merely staying wholesome is the opposite essential issue to Tagovailoa’s success. He missed 4 video games, most of a home-opening loss to the Bills and the primary half of a win towards the Baltimore Ravens between accidents to his ribs and the center finger on his throwing hand. Durability might be key in proving Tagovailoa generally is a long-term reply.
The Dolphins additionally introduced in a high-end backup quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater, who has 63 profession begins to his title as he returns dwelling to Miami. McDaniel needs Bridgewater to be a part of a assist system for Tagovailoa, but when it’s evident the outcomes aren’t there for the Dolphins starter regardless of every part given to him, Bridgewater is able to stepping in and taking on.
Such a situation may imply the Dolphins revisit the Brady potentialities or use a few of their 2023 draft capital to make a transfer for a quarterback subsequent offseason. For now, nevertheless, it’s all on Tua.
Previously addressed
Can Dolphins get similar manufacturing from Tyreek Hill in Miami?
Will Dolphins defensive coordinator Josh Boyer be capable of show he doesn’t want Brian Flores’ assist?
In what methods can Mike McDaniel’s teaching type, offensive thoughts profit Dolphins?
Can wide-zone scheme jump-start Dolphins’ run sport?
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Source: www.bostonherald.com