Analysts assess Tua: ‘People realize this is a one-read quarterback.’ And Dolphins notes

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s play throughout this ongoing four-game shedding streak — together with the three interceptions within the fourth quarter towards Green Bay — has begun to trigger long-term concern even among the many pundits who’ve praised him a lot of the season.

ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, who has been an advocate for Tagovailoa through the previous yr, stated on “Get Up” on Monday:

“That fourth quarter by Tua would make me very nervous about his future in Miami if I were part of that organization. And I absolutely love Tua. He was lights out for those first three quarters.

“But the fourth quarter was such a collapse. It would force me to pause.”

Orlovsky stated “what’s happening when Tua catches that snap and immediately where he looks, teams are slowing starting to not go where that initial look is and saying ‘if you are looking over there, we dare you to throw it over there because we know you’re not going to.’

“Tua has got to get back to predetermining I’m going to do that but not assuming [defenders are] going to move.”

“This happens a lot with these Kyle Shanahan, Mike Shanahan, Gary Kubiak system quarterbacks where the play call is so great and the design is so great and you have such confidence in that play call, you play so convicted with what you’re going to do.

“He assumes right now too much [that] if I look over there [the other way], that linebacker is going to move and I know I can throw that football. In the fourth quarter, Green Bay’s defense stopped listening to his eyes and that’s what led to those three fourth quarter turnovers.”

ESPN’s Rex Ryan, the previous Jets coach and ex-NFL defensive coordinator, supplied this clarification: “Finally I think people realize this is a one-read quarterback. And what I mean by that is when things are in rhythm, he knows exactly where he’s going whether it’s through coaching or whatever it is….

“As soon as you change the math on him — in other words, your defensive pieces aren’t where you thought they were going to be — that’s where he struggles. That’s why you saw the three interceptions [against the Packers].

“Some people are starting to figure it out. You lay traps out there and that’s exactly what Green Bay did. This is what happens against a one-read quarterback, and that’s what’s dangerous about having [one]. This guy has ability. He’s accurate. But as soon as somebody is not where he’s supposed to be, that’s a problem with him because he’s struggling to improvise.”

And ESPN’s Ryan Clark stated: “People are starting to understand that Tua’s eyes will lie to me. But my drop, my field and what I’m expected to do defensively won’t.”

Clark put to the onus on Mike McDaniel to assist repair this.

“Now they’re faced with adversity. With Tua struggling three of these past four games, can Mike McDaniel be the parent? He started this off being a friend, someone that empowered Tua and empowered this team. Now can Mike McDaniel be the parent to get that respect, get a little bit of fear, to demand accountability?”

Despite throwing three interceptions and shutting with an 80.8 passer ranking towards Green Bay, Tagovailoa nonetheless leads the league in passer ranking at 105.5. Patrick Mahomes is second at 105.1

Tagovailoa has 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions and leads the NFL in yards gained per move try (8.9) and yards per completion (13.7).

But he hasn’t performed effectively in three of Miami’s previous 4 video games: He was badly off on a handful of throws towards the 49ers and completed that recreation with a 79.7 passer ranking. He was 10 for 28 for 145 yards and a 65.3 run ranking in a loss on the Chargers.

He performed effectively in a loss at Buffalo — although Miami’s ultimate fourth-quarter drive fizzled — and completed with a 104 ranking in that recreation. But he had the interceptions on every of Miami’s three ultimate possessions towards Green Bay, after a robust first half.

THIS AND THAT

▪ There had been a couple of notable developments concerning enjoying time on offense:

For the second consecutive week, tight finish Mike Gesicki logged solely 12 snaps (of the Dolphins’ 50). The 4 video games together with his fewest snaps this season have been the previous 4 video games. Durham Smythe performed 32 snaps; Hunter Long 4…

At operating again, Jeff Wilson Jr. obtained extra snaps than Raheem Mostert (30 to 26) and extra carries (9 to eight). Fullback Alec Ingold performed 27 snaps earlier than leaving with a thumb damage; he wore a big protecting overlaying after the sport…

Receiver snaps had been much like how they’ve been not too long ago, with Tyreek Hill at 40, Jaylen Waddle at 37, Trent Sherfield 22, Cedrick Wilson Jr. 13 and Braylon Sanders 7. Sanders, who was filling in for injured River Cracraft, can’t be elevated for one more recreation this season.

▪ Some notable developments concerning enjoying time on protection:

Andrew Van Ginkel performed greater than traditional (33 of Miami’s 66 defensive snaps) as a result of Bradley Chubb missed a number of the recreation with a hand damage earlier than returning. Chubb performed 28 snaps and had one sort out. Jaelan Phillips performed 55 snaps, Melvin Ingram simply 13…

Only security Jevon Holland performed all 66 defensive snaps. Cornerbacks Xavien Howard and Kader Kohou and linebacker Jerome Baker performed 64. Christian Wilkins performed 63 and Zach Sieler 59….

At security reverse Holland, the Dolphins gave Eric Rowe 53 snaps and Verone McKinley 14…

After giving Raekwon Davis and John Jenkins related enjoying time in Buffalo, Miami gave 41 snaps to Davis and Jenkins 22 towards Green Bay….

Linebacker Duke Riley’s snaps had been down (seven). He performed 30, 26, and 33 the earlier three video games….

Linebacker Sam Eguavoen performed solely two defensive snaps and allowed a TD move on considered one of them. He has performed solely 33 defensive snaps this season.

▪ Tagovailoa’s 84-yard TD move to Jaylen Waddle was the fourth-longest completion in Dolphins historical past and longest since 1986 (an 85-yarder from Dan Marino to Mark Duper). Marino additionally had an 85-yarder to Duper in 1983.

An 86-yard move from Bob Griese to Paul Warfield in 1971 is the longest completion in crew historical past.

Tagovailoa’s 84-yarder to Waddle was the longest passing play within the 27 NFL video games which were performed on Christmas over time.

Here’s my Monday piece on the Dolphins’ playoff eventualities.