IMO, thats not something that I would neccessarily think is always a positive, especially the play you are refering to. If he hits the TE early, the TE could have walked into the endzone. Instead he "looks downfield" then finally goes to the TE, who is practically out of bounds at that point, and the TE struggles to make the catch on a low thrown ball. That was an error on Tuels part.
Yea, looking downfield is great and exciting, etc. But taking what the defense gives you is just as important.