Former Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard, who played in the season opener for the Indianapolis Colts, offered words critical of Tua Tagovailoa.
“We knew… he gets the ball out pretty quick,” Howard said, according to ESPN. “And once we take away his first read, I feel like it’s panic mode after that. And it showed yesterday.”
It’s not the first time an opponent has said the key to defeating Tagovailoa is to take away his quick, first read.
Tagovailoa struggled in Miami’s 33-8 loss.
What did Xavien Howard say about Tua Tagovailoa?
Tua was 14-for-23 for 114 yards with three sacks, two interceptions, a lost fumble and a passer rating of 51.7.
The lost fumble was recovered by Howard, who played on the same roster as Tagovailoa in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Tua Tagovailoa accepts some responsibility
After the game, Tagovailoa said: “We have to look in the mirror. It starts with me.”
Tagovailoa, 27, is in the second season of a 4 year, $212.4 million contract.
Tua has led the NFL in passer rating, passing yards and completion percentage, but has yet to lead the Dolphins to a playoff victory.
The Dolphins’ offense has, in general, taken a step back since a torrid start at the beginning of the Mike McDaniel-Tua era.
The Dolphins have been unable to create long-gaining pass plays. According to ESPN, Tyreek Hill does not have a catch for 30 yards or more in a calendar year.
Tagaovailoa missed the final two regular season games of last year with a hip injury.
He was 6-5 in 11 games as a starter, missing six due to injury.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa goes into ‘panic mode’ after first read gone: Xavien Howard
Reporting by Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
