ESPN promoted his thoughts of calling Amari Cooper a “turd” on its show Get Up, and the network brought Rex Ryan back on Friday to discuss Tua Tagovailoa in the NFL Draft.
Despite the glowing positivity from Tagovailoa’s medicals, the once NFL head coach still identifies the native Hawaiian as more of a risk than reward. Regardless of his talent and capability to change the fortunes of a franchise, Ryan refers to the idea of selecting the former Alabama quarterback as being the ‘greatest risk in the history of the NFL Draft.’
He had success with three different offensive coordinators, rescued the Crimson Tide to a national championship, was a runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, won All-American honors and finished career as the program’s all-time leader for touchdown passes (87) and total scores (96).
Tagovailoa changed the way people thought and felt about the sport, and now he plans on proving all critics wrong at the next level. For Ryan, he coached three quarterbacks in his seven seasons as a head coach. He had Mark Sanchez (2009-13) and Geno Smith (2014) with the New York Jets, while Tyrod Taylor (2015-16) was beside him in Buffalo. Taylor is the lone player of the trio that is still in the league and while all three were thought of as “safe” picks, two did not work out.
RELATED: Tua Tagovailoa has fulfilled all medical requirements toward his NFL Draft process
Tagovailoa may be a risk, but life is about taking chances.
In today’s NFL, teams are doomed if they don’t have a game changer under center.
Whoever takes Tagovailoa will be prepared for an exciting journey.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
