The Miami Dolphins look a whole lot different already, with new head coach Mike McDaniel pacing the sidelines at OTAs and speedy new star receiver Tyreek Hill blazing down the field. However, perhaps the biggest change in Miami this offseason concerns the man under center, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. McDaniel spoke about Tagovailoa's practice reps and couldn't contain himself, per Pro Football Talk.
“I’m really excited about the reps that Tua’s getting in this offense. I’m excited about where he’s at,” McDaniel said in his press conference. “Tua’s very, very critical of his ball placement and he’s a very accurate quarterback as a result. Yesterday, he had some throws that he demands better of himself. But like I told everybody else, today was the first day I got to really evaluate Tua because that is professional quarterback in the National Football League. You’re going to have things that you don’t execute to perfection. You’re going to have people talking about how you’re not performing. And guess what? No one cares.”
McDaniel said that he's “really excited about the reps” Tagovailoa has been getting at OTAs. The Dolphins head coach sees a more confident version of the third-year pro, which excites him for the 2022 season.
Tagovailoa, who McDaniel termed as a “very accurate quarterback”, will be looking to build on a 2021 season that saw him post a 90.1 QB rating with 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Improved weapons and a better offensive line will undoubtedly help Tagovailoa improve. However, a more confident version of himself- as well as an offense better suited to his style of play- will make an even bigger difference in 2022.
Mike McDaniel is already seeing the difference at OTAs.