Jalen Hurts vs. Tua Tagovailoa II?
That’s stretching the reunion of types between former Alabama quarterbacks Tagovailoa and Hurts in joint practices this week between the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins.
Each quarterback is in prove-it seasons. The naked stats present that they had comparable numbers final yr. Hurts threw 16 touchdowns in opposition to 9 interceptions and a 22th-ranked 87.2 score. Tagovailoa had 16 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a Twentieth-ranked 90.1 score.
The context of their groups lends a greater perspective. Hurts had the No. 1 dashing offense and Tenth-ranked protection on a group that made the playoffs. That in comparison with the Dolphins’ Thirtieth-ranked dashing offense and Fifteenth-ranked protection.
Hurts, in fact, was famously changed as Alabama’s quarterback within the fourth quarter of the 2018 nationwide championship recreation in opposition to Clemson. Nick Saban by no means appeared again from that call as Tua rallied Alabama to the title. Hurts transferred to Oklahoma however stays pals with Tua.
“That’s a relationship that’ll never go away,” Hurts mentioned on ESPN earlier than the 2020 draft. “I talk to him and kept in touch with him all year.”
As far as who has the higher season this yr? Tua’s supporting solid has been vastly improved. But …
“I think it’ll be Jalen Hurts,” longtime NFL reporter Sal Paolantonio mentioned not too long ago on “The Dan Patrick Show.”
One fixed between the 2 is neither has had a lot consistency with coaches. Tua is on his third offensive coordinator with the Dolphins in three years (or fourth relying on how your grade final season’s two-headed monster main the offense).
Hurts is within the, “same offense with the same offensive coaches for two years in row for the first time since he was 16 years old,” Paolantonio mentioned. “He goes to California and gets three or four weeks of really good training on his footwork and mechanics, and it’s really showed. He’s delivering the ball definitely with more velocity and accuracy, now he just has to make quick decisions.”
Reminder: Everyone appears good in preseason.
2. Former Minnesota and Dolphins GM Rick Spielman, who was at Dolphins follow not too long ago, supplied a spot-on breakdown of the season on The thirty third Team web site:
“Miami will play good defense this year, but they have to be concerned about the depth at cornerback. They don’t have much depth behind Xavien Howard and Byron Jones [who is on PUP list]. Miami has enough offensive weapons, and QB Tua Tagovailoa should be able to get the ball into the hands of his playmakers, but unless the offensive line improves, they will struggle. The key to coach Mike McDaniel’s offense is being able to run the ball. In Miami’s first two preseason games, they have really struggled to establish the run game. Mike Gesicki, who they franchised this past offseason, has also struggled in this new scheme. Tight ends must be able to block in this scheme, and that is not Gesicki’s strong suit. Will Miami potentially try to trade him?”
Next query: Does any group with an abundance of cornerbacks desire a receiving tight finish? There’s the marketplace for Gesicki if a commerce will be swung involving his $10.8 million francise tag, as a result of …
3. Bill Parcells had numerous good sayings, one among which was, “You never have enough tackles and cornerbacks.” What are the thinnest positions on the Dolphins? Tackles and cornerbacks. They’re flashing crimson lights at this level. The Dolphins are set at cornerback if Howard, Jones and Nik Needham are wholesome. But Jones hasn’t practiced all summer time after surgical procedure, and it’s a finger-crossed state of affairs of him beginning the season. Behind them? More finger crossing as nobody has impressed a lot and Trill Williams is out for the yr. At deal with, Terron Armstead hasn’t performed a full season in his eight years, lacking 38 of 112 regular-season video games since turning into a starter in 2014. Greg Little has been damage this preseason and Larnel Coleman nonetheless wants work.
4. The Dolphins rank Fifteenth on NFL franchises’ price, based on Forbes journal. They put the Dolphins’ price at $3.42 billion, up 18 % from a yr in the past. Steve Ross purchased the Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium for $1.2 billion in 2009. The Dallas Cowboys topped the Forbes listing at $6.5 billion
5. “Whatever,” was Mike McDaniel’s phrase of selection when requested about Skylar Thompson making the 53-team squad. “I’ve done it both ways in my career.” Thompson appears like he’ll make the group with out being risked to lose by means of waivers to the the follow squad. Then once more, for those who undergo the listing of third-team quarterbacks, a number of are placing up good numbers. It’s the identical story yearly: People fall in love with third quarterbacks in preseason. Last August, the Dolphins Reid Sinnett accomplished 30-of-47 passes for 401 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He was signed to the follow squad. He was waived in October and Philadelphia signed him. He involves joint practices this week in opposition to the Dolphins as their third quarterback behind Hurts and Gardner Minshew.
5. So Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady had been speaking to the Raiders whereas Gronkowski (at the very least) was beneath contract? Fire up the tampering investigation.
6. What to anticipate from Philadelphia? Again, it led the league in dashing final season (159.7 yards per recreation) so this needs to be a very good check for a protection that held up the second half of final yr proper till Tennessee ran over it. Center Jason Kelce was a first-team Pro Bowl choice, however when he took a break with an damage this preseason second-round rookie Cam Jurgens has been spectacular, as analyst Warren Sharp feedback. Imagine. Two facilities.
7. While the Dolphins follow in opposition to Philadelphia, New England heads to Las Vegas for a joint follow and third preseason recreation. Beyond working towards in opposition to long-time coordinator Josh McDaniels’ group, the Patriots’ thought was to get some work within the sizzling climate, contemplating the opener at Hard Rock Stadium. The forecasted highs shall be as a lot as 105 levels. Still, Saturday’s recreation is in a dome and the opener is 2 weeks away. The Dolphins’ 1 p.m. video games in September are the most effective home-field benefit within the NFL.
8. You see Tua making the required steps towards maturation by watching him undergo the play script on the sector alone hours earlier than Saturday’s recreation. It all suits. Former coach Brian Flores was pushing him to work more durable, and there have been questions on his information of the playbook in his first yr and of enjoying golf his second season. In Year 3, with this employees’s full backing, he’s taking classes discovered and appears to be making use of himself more durable.
9. McDaniel mentioned Tagovailoa is essentially the most correct passer he’s seen. An ESPN panel of analysts mixed with Football Outsiders to rank their prime 10 passers by numerous attributes. Here are the ten most correct quarterbacks this season based on this panel: 1. Aaron Rodgers; 2. Tom Brady; 3. Joe Burrow; 4. Patrick Mahomes; 5. Justin Herbert; 6. Matthew Stafford; 7. Kyler Murray; 8. Russell Wilson; 9. Derek Carr; 10. Deshaun Watson.
10. Quote of Last Week: “I just want offenses to fear me,” security Jevon Holland mentioned. “Really not necessarily the quarterback, more of the coaches.”
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com