The Miami Dolphins Make Right Move In the Wrong Way

By now we’ve all heard the news that Tua Tagovailoa will be the new starting quarterback for the Miami Dolphins. Every analyst and fan in the world has offered their opinion and questioned the timing of it. In a matter of days, it went from “trust the process” to a head-scratcher.

Miami took Tua in this year’s NFL draft expecting he’d be the future of the franchise. Even before the regular season, there were hints along the way that the rookie would take over under center sooner rather than later. If fans recall correctly, Brian Flores hesitated to name the starter until week 1 inched closer.

Eventually, he’d name veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick the starter and most Dolphins fans would accept it. Not only was Tua coming off a major injury, but the NFL didn’t have the luxury of the preseason to get tape on the young quarterback.

Fast forward to their bye week shuffle and here we are. Tua Tagovailoa entered the game in garbage time and sniffed some NFL action. His two passes were enough to show the future was here sooner than later. One pass showed his ability to roll out and throw in tight coverage on the run. His second pass, his ability to hang in the pocket and make the throw with pressure on the way.

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That was enough. That’s what the young quarterback was drafted for.

It does sting for Fitz who’s been the constant professional through it all. His play warranted the starting spot, he was having fun, and guys fought for him. He’s been the constant professional along the way and you can’t discredit a single thing he’s done for this Dolphins team along the way.

But this day was coming. Call it what you will, but if Fitz is only slightly better than Tua in control of the offense, the edge, unfortunately, goes to the rookie. When it comes to making plays, Fitzpatrick might be able to make throws in tighter windows, but if Tua moves the pocket do those windows get less tight?

If the QB rolls out and uses more of the field, do defenses still stack as many in the box? If they don’t stack the box, does it open up better lanes in the run game? The offense can do more with Tagovailoa under center.

No one wanted Ryan Fitzpatrick to succeed than hardcore Dolphins fans. Curse the coaches names all you want, but they did not make this decision easily. While Fitzpatrick was winning with Miami, he’s never limited his mistakes. If as a rookie Tua is making those same mistakes, you have to go with the guy who can help open up the playbook a little more.

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You have to feel for Ryan Fitzpatrick. He’s had a respectable career finishing towards the top on the all-time passing list, and he’s done it all with bad teams. He’s been the constant professional and a model teammate. He’s the guy you want as a leader on your team.

Unfortunately for him, the Miami Dolphins belonged to Tua Tagovailoa the minute he was drafted. It was only a matter of time until he got his shot.