MIAMI GARDENS — So we’re on to … Cleveland?
Is that how this ends? Controversy one day, Cleveland the next?
At least, that’s what the Miami Dolphins hope. They returned to work ostensibly to begin preparing for the Cleveland Browns but knowing they first had to mop up the mess created last weekend when quarterback Tua Tagovailoa popped off about some teammates being late to player-led meetings.
“I’ve made a mistake and I’m owning up to that right now,” Tagovailoa said, beginning his weekly news conference unprompted to extinguish the fire on everybody’s mind. How could he not, since he’d been criticized left and right by national analysts for airing dirty laundry?
Tagovailoa went on to add, “What happens in-house should be protected and none of that should have gotten out. And so I want to publicly apologize about that.”
If Tagovailoa had taken a deep breath and leaned on similar wisdom after the last-second, 29-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, we wouldn’t be where we are.
Which raises the question of where, exactly, are we?
First — and this should not be lost in the controversy — is that while it’s legit to criticize Tagovailoa for spilling complaints in public, it should not be — make that it can’t be — lost on anyone that he was picking at a scab the Dolphins supposedly let heal months ago. While only the players know to what extent there are potential issues with professionalism, the fact remains that as a captain, it’s not just Tagovailoa’s place to hold teammates accountable, it’s his responsibility to do so. Just not like this.
It’s one thing if the Dolphins were 5-1. To have this thrown out in public when you’re 1-5 puts it in a different light, making you wonder if attitudes are producing losses or losses are producing attitudes. As any Dolphins fan knows, it would not be the first time. That’s not just media speculation, either. Take it from someone who has been there: ex-Dolphins safety Reshad Jones.
“I don’t know who their leader is over there,” Jones said on Pacman Jones’ podcast. “People not showing up to the meetings? It looks like nobody respects nobody over there.”
No matter how you look at it, Tagovailoa’s position on the field and on the team’s salary scale demand he be that leader.
“I’ve got to look at myself as the leader,” Tagovailoa said. Job 1? “Protecting the team. I don’t feel like I did that to the best of my abilities. I let the emotions of the game get to me.”
Mike McDaniel: ‘Bigger fish to fry’ than deal with controversy
Coach Mike McDaniel began the day by saying, “The first, last and only thing if I have anything to say about it — and I did in several meetings today — is the Cleveland Browns and our focus within that regard. Absolutely, he communicated with his teammates both in group and individually, and there’s much bigger fish to fry in our team’s opinion and my opinion.”
That’s as close as you’ll ever hear McDaniel channel his inner Belichick and speak in “we’re on to Cincinnati” tones.
But is it as simple as a “my bad”? Tagovailoa popped the lid off a can that isn’t easily popped back on. Is it a relief that he never named names or does that make it worse, since his blanket statement that “We have guys showing up to player-only meetings late” paint everyone as a suspect?
The irony was lost on Tagovailoa that as he took responsibility for his words, he attempted to portray the team culture as fine, saying, “I would say there hasn’t been any bickering or pointing of fingers lately.” Talk about illegal use of hands.
Imagine you’re a player, a guy who does what’s expected, and you hear your quarterback call out players for being late. Maybe in time you forgive, maybe you forget. It’s up to all 52 others to decide individually. The Dolphins have to hope most feel the same as linebacker Jaelan Phillips.
“I’m not really concerned with what Tua has to say,” Phillips said. “I know Tua’s heart. And I know that if he did say anything, it was out of good intention. I don’t think he’s trying to call anybody out in particular other than just, like I said, we’re holding each other accountable.”
For now, all we have are an apology and an apology, perhaps, accepted. Talk, in other words.
The actual proof starts to reveal itself in Cleveland.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa apologizes. Too early to say all is well? | Habib
Reporting by Hal Habib, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
