Getty Images
While Tua Tagovailoa’s debut year with the Miami Dolphins was not as encouraging as last year’s first draft pick in the class, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is optimistic about what Tagovailoa will be able to bring to the table in 2021 .
According to ESPN.com’s Cameron Wolfe, Fitzpatrick said he believes Tagovailoa is much better placed for his second season with the Dolphins.
“Everything will be a little more comfortable this year,” said Fitzpatrick. “Playing in the championship will be a little more familiar, the routine of the week and the street games. He is no longer trying to find out where the supermarket is, where he will live or what car he will drive. This is all resolved. He can focus exclusively on being an NFL QB.
“Having an off-season, having repetitions, having some sense of continuity with [co-offensive coordinators] George Godsey and Eric Studesville in his ear, calling the pieces and working with him. All of this indicates that he had a much better season this year and continued to progress as a defender. That is the most important thing for him – progression.
“They put him in the top five for a reason, with his skill set and what he can do. There are very few people on this planet who can do that. In order for them to be fully accepted and believe in him, he will do the same thing. He will believe what they are training, and I think good results will come with that. “
Fitzpatrick started the season as a Dolphins starter, while Tagovailoa continued to recover from last year’s hip injury in Alabama. Tagovailoa finally took over as the starter in October, with Fitzpatrick continuing to play from time to time for the rest of the season. In 10 games with nine matches, Tagovailoa completed 64.1 percent of his passes for 1,814 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Tagovailoa’s production was behind that of top pick Joe Burrow with Cincinnati Bengals and Justin Herbert’s stellar campaign with Los Angeles Chargers. But Tagovailoa was highly productive during his time in Alabama and would apparently have room to improve another year away from his injury and with a full off-season to prepare for his initial Miami job.
“In everything that happens, I can control what I can control,” said Tagovailoa. “My focus is just trying to improve on this leap from Year 1 to Year 2, and trying to be the best version of myself that I can be for the Miami Dolphins.”