MIAMI GARDENS — By the time the Miami Dolphins-Los Angeles Chargers Week 6 game is over, all opinions will have been confirmed.
Either we will all know that, yes, the Dolphins screwed up big time by passing on Justin Herbert with the 5th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Or, we will all know that Tua Tagovailoa is 3-1 against Herbert and the Chargers and it turns out it’s Tua who’s the more clutch gamer among the two.
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“If you’re uncomfortable with the stakes of the game, it’s not a game for you,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said, speaking of expectations for Tua in comparison to other AFC signal-calling stars. “You’re not going to change the stakes and he knows that.”
Kudos to McDaniel for acknowledging the reality, in an era where almost every other coach would say something or other about quarterbacks not actually facing each other on the field.
The Dolphins have 99 problems and right now, Tua ain’t one.
Tua Tagovailoa: Consecutive strong games for Dolphins
We can talk about run defense and run blocking problems all day.
But y’all know quarterback is the most important position. And we all know Tua and Herbert will forever be linked and forever be compared.
In the last two games, Tua has shown improved footwork and mechanics and an improved approach to playing point guard for the Dolphins.
“Conviction,” McDaniel said.
“Leader,” McDaniel said.
“Aggressive,” McDaniel said.
Aggressive convicted leader. That’s what the Dolphins need Tua to be on a Sunday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium.
The season will truly be over at 1-5 if Tua does not play his best.
Tua’s future with Miami will again be called into question if they’re staring at 1-5.
So — don’t allow it to happen, Tua.
Tua Tagovailoa, make it happen vs. Chargers
Instead, make it happen. Make the upset happen. Make 2-3 happen.
Make hope happen.
“What separates people is that ability to work within the noise,” McDaniel said.
McDaniel says a lot and tends to ramble. But if you listen closely enough, he gives you the answers. He gives you the truths. And he gives you the clues.
Everyone knows. Mike. Tua. Chris Grier. Stephen Ross.
It was Grier who took Tua over the bigger, stronger, faster Herbert.
In the same way neither McDaniel nor Tua should be criticized for expressing admiration for AFC East rival Josh Allen, nobody should be attacked for praising Herbert.
“I think his ability to extend plays and while doing that, make a defense cover the entire field,” McDaniel said of Herbert. “He can put the ball across the field 50 yards on the other hash, so when he’s using his athletic ability, he stresses your plaster and your connectivity to eligibles down the field. That threat of arm and legs, I think he’s a competitor, I think he keeps getting better.”
Yeah, so, we get it. Big arm. Big legs. Not Tua.
“I know everyone wants to do the comparisons with all the dudes in my draft class,” Tua said. “All I would want to do is wish the best for them and hope for the same in return.”
Tua, when at his best, can do really impressive things, too.
Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert forever connected
What if we told you Tua is already 2-1 against Herbert and the Chargers in his career with six touchdowns and one interception?
What if we told you Tua passed for 466 yards and three touchdowns against these Chargers in a 2023 win?
McDaniel believes Tua is well-equipped to perform regardless of if people are writing and saying that you’re “awesome or that you suck.”
They’ll be saying one or the other about the quarterback after the next game.
It’s one of many things at stake.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa can make a statement vs. Justin Herbert, Chargers | Schad
Reporting by Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
