Will a former Super Bowl champion be next to eat his words of criticism toward Tua Tagovailoa?
The third-year quarterback torched Tampa Bay’s defensive secondary on day two of joint practices for the Miami Dolphins.
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According to several Miami beat reporters, Tagovailoa was ‘dialed in’ and tossed four to five touchdowns. He connected with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle numerous times, and both had the Buccaneers gasping for air. Tagovailoa hit receivers in tight windows, posted a variety of yards on different scores, mixed speeds well on his passes, and had a lot of fun competing.
Tua is absolutely slinging it out here. #Dolphins offense is firing on all cylinders in this period.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) August 11, 2022
Tua finds Waddle who pulls it down in some traffic – had to catch it twice but showed the concentration to secure it for 6. I lost count of how many TDs that is for Tua, today. More than 5
— Travis Wingfield (@WingfieldNFL) August 11, 2022
I charted at least four touchdown passes today for Tua vs the Bucs — he was dialed in all day. Threw with anticipation and into tight windows.
Skylar Thompson also lit it up during team drills — at least 3 TD passes
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) August 11, 2022
Dolphins dominated Day 2 of joint practices with Bucs. Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle & pass offense was cooking against Bucs DBs. Jaelan Phillips, Elandon Roberts, Christian Wilkins, Keion Crossen among those I saw with big hits/ covering quick off short completions.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 11, 2022
He expects to have a breakout season, but Chris Canty is not impressed. Canty, who played 11 seasons in the National Football League for the Cowboys, Giants, and Ravens as a defensive end, now covers the NFL for ESPN. He won Super Bowl with the Giants in 2011, but he’s a featured analyst on multiple ESPN shows. He came on First Take and named several reasons why Tagovailoa is not the answer for the Dolphins. Canty stated ‘the evidence is there, Tua is not that dude.’ He brought up Tagovailoa’s injury history, his quarterback rating in two years with the Dolphins, and him not having enough downfield passes.
“The evidence is there, Tua ain’t that dude!”
—@ChrisCanty99 doesn’t trust Tua Tagovailoa as the Dolphins long-term QB 😳 pic.twitter.com/Qxe8tnozey
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 11, 2022
Tagovailoa has been ripping accurate downfield throws to receivers in training camp. He has a supporting cast that is similar to what he had at the University of Alabama and a head coach who believes in him. The former No. 5 overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft has heard the doubters and has dealt with them by performing well in camp. He is set to take this effort into the season.
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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.
