Miami Dolphins: Defense Might Be Reason for Tua’s Promotion

No matter what side of the fence you sit on, everyone knew Ryan Fitzpatrick was eventually going to be replaced. Whether it was this season or next season he was on borrowed time. Tua Tagovailoa was drafted to be the leader of the Miami Dolphins and rather than sit and wait, Brian Flores decided it was time to bring the rookie in. Maybe there was pressure from ownership, maybe Fitzpatrick’s struggles had something to do with it, or maybe there’s a different reason … Miami’s defense.

First and foremost, a good defense can make teams championship caliber. Does anyone remember watching Peyton Manning’s last season as a Denver Bronco? It was clear he wasn’t the Peyton Manning of old. He was just, well, old. He couldn’t do it like he used to but a strong defense carried him through his mistakes and he was talented enough to still get it done.

Insert the Miami Dolphins.

Their defense right now has only allowed 25 points twice this season, has one shut out and is regularly holding quarterbacks to under 200 yards passing. They’re not playing mistake-free football just yet and have a few growing pains, but they’re still operating at high levels. The Dolphins defense is getting turnovers and seems to be turning the page after a slow start. With a dominant defense to account for rookie mistakes, Miami was setting Tua up for success.

Then, of course, that seems defense is what Tagovailoa was practicing against. Coaches see what fans and analysts do not. The Dolphins have gone out and thrown complex schemes at opposing defenses and so far it’s been trouble for opponents. If the rookie gets thrown out against these pro-level defenses and complex schemes and continuously makes the right reads, the smart throws, and accurate progressions the coaches get to see that.

More Miami Dolphins: Tua Should Start, But Not Week 1

When it comes to football, fans only get to see the physical part of the game most of the time. Before the players take the field, in practice, the mental aspect shines through. Ryan Fitzpatrick is a gifted quarterback but let’s call it what it is. Fitz doesn’t always make the best decisions on the field and often throws into very tight windows. Sometimes it works, other times it’s ugly.

So if you have a guy like Tua Tagovailoa waiting in the wings who is younger, more athletic, and even Fitz admits can make more throws you have to see what the kid has. Even if he’s making mistakes, it’s no different from the mistakes that Fitzpatrick was making. But there’s one major difference.

If you put Tua in now, you know what you have going into next offseason and draft. Yes, Fitz might have been winning, but if he rides out the year until he starts making mistakes you’re starting your offseason in the hole. There’s no tape from the preseason. You didn’t get to see your rookie in regular-season games. You don’t know where to go with your skill sets in the offseason to build around your quarterback’s weaknesses.

In the end, it all goes back to Miami’s defense. Even if Tagovailoa is struggling in games and the Dolphins are still headed towards a losing season, at least coaches know where he struggles. They know he can make the reads and make throws against complex defensive schemes, their front office can now go after the players who can play to his strengths and compensate for his weaknesses. After all, “defense wins championships” and practicing against Miami’s tough D will build character.