The Mimai Dolphins made several big changes this offseason, but on the field, the most impactful of those will be swapping out Tua Tagovailoa for Malik Willis as the team’s starting quarterback.
Willis joined the Dolphins back in March on a three-year deal after a two-year stint with the Tennessee Titans and another with the Green Bay Packers.
While Miami’s players have barely been back on the practice field, the quarterback has impressed several of his coaches with more than just what he can do with the ball in his hand.
“Really talented individual,” Dolphins offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said last week. “Can spin the ball over the field, can throw the ball everywhere, can run, obviously can use his legs, he’s tough. But honestly, what I’ve enjoyed the most so far is getting to know him. The person is really fun to be around, really energetic. He infuses everybody with a lot of energy.”
Dolphins quarterback coach Bush Hamdan echoed similar sentiments.
“I just feel he’s always the first one in the building, the last one to leave,” Hamdan said. “I think certainly already in the community, he’s normally the one pushing to do the right thing..
“I think it’s authentic. It’s believable. I don’t know if you guys have had a lot of time to spend with him, but he’s just as good a human being as I’ve been around in the game. And so I think he knows exactly who he is. Cares about his teammates, not just from a setting of it’s going to make him play better, but I think because he realizes you don’t get these opportunities often. And so I think he’s done a tremendous job of rallying the guys, all the guys, regardless of where they’re from, what position they play. And that’s been a big thing for us as we start in the season.”
A quarterback’s leadership and work ethic are just as important as what he can do on the field, and while Willis hasn’t had the opportunity to have live reps with the team yet, he’s impressing in the ways that he can until then.
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This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins coaches are impressed with new QBs work ethic, leadership
Reporting by Mike Masala, Dolphins Wire / Dolphins Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
