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Former NFL All-Pro defends Tua Tagovailoa, amid trade rumors for Dolphins

Tua Tagovailoa in warmups before Miami Dolphins played Buffalo Bills
Jasen Vinlove - USA Today Sports

Tua Tagovailoa has received support from teammates, Dolphin fans, and former NFL players.

Miami is interested in trading for Deshaun Watson. Many reports have floated on social media, and Tagovailoa has been addressed about the matter in interviews. He played well in the last two games and believes he is the quarterback for the Dolphins. Tiki Barber, a former NFL All-Pro running back, is frustrated with the situation Tagovailoa is in at South Florida.

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Barber said the former CFP National Champion is not getting the opportunity to succeed.

“I think it’s terrible what they are doing to him,” Barber said.

“Most kids, at least quarterbacks, get three years. The infrastructure around the Dolphins gave up on him last year. He was hurt, and he should not have been playing. Now, he’s is starting to get better. He completed 70 percent two weeks ago, 80 percent a week ago. They lost, but it’s not all his fault. It’s just frustrating because you want to see good kids, like Tua, succeed. He’s not getting the opportunity because of the dysfunction upstairs, and its infatuation with Deshaun Watson who has a legal issue.”

Barber is concerned about the culture of Miami if it trades Tagovailoa.

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“Maybe the fans don’t care because they want to win, but I doubt it,” Barber said. “Social issues like this are becoming more prevalent. Think about what this is going to do to the Miami Dolphins if they give up a good guy like Tua for Deshaun Watson, who has all these legal things hanging over his head? It frustrates me. Maybe cause I am biased, and I like Tua.”

Barber was taken in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. He played eight seasons (1999-06) with the team, totaling 1,000+ rushing yards six times. Barber is in the Giants Ring of Honor, but he wants to see Tagovailoa shine.

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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.

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Stephen Smith is a 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama. He is a senior writer and reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He has covered Alabama football for 10+ years and his knowledge and coverage of the Crimson Tide's program have made him among the most respected journalist in his field. Smith has been featured on ESPN and several other marquee outlets as an analyst.

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