DeVante Parker likes the new and improved Tua Tagovailoa he’s seeing
The Miami Dolphins finished 10-6 and missed out on the playoffs. But their young signal-caller is apparently making strides this offseason.
He played in 10 games during his professional debut campaign, made nine starts and was sent to the sidelines on more than one occasion. But less than one season does not an NFL player make, much less a quarterback that was the fifth-overall pick in the 2020 draft.
Opposed to a year ago, Miami Dolphins’ second-year pro Tua Tagovailoa enters the year as the starter behind center for Brian Flores’ team. Veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick is now employed by the Washington Football Team. The new backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett while 24-year-old Reid Sinnett is on the depth chart (via Ourlads) as well.
Tagovailoa’s final numbers in 2020 were respectable considering he was coming off a shortened season with the Crimson Tide due to a hip injury. He hit on 64.1 complete of his throws for 1,814 yards and twice as many TD passes (11) as interceptions (5). He was sacked 20 times and lost his only fumble. He ran 36 times for 109 yards and three scores. But his week-to-week performance was erratic, which was hardly surprising considering the circumstances.
You get the sense that the former University of Alabama standout is anxious to change things this year. “We’re all in a group chat. Tua put it in a group text,” explained wide receiver DeVante Parker (via Hal Habib of the Palm Beach Post). “He texted us. We’ll just meet up and start throwing and try to get the rhythm down early.”
When Parker was asked ‘how does Tagovailoa look?’ the answers were short and sweet. “His mechanics look different…“Footwork, ball out quicker, all that.”
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The team gave Tagovailoa some new toys this year to team with Parker in the form of speedster Will Fuller, late of the Houston Texans, and former collegiate teammate Jaylen Waddle. There will certainly be a lot of pressure on the young quarterback this season. But the Dolphins’ top pass-catcher from 2020 apparently likes what he sees.